<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> This is a summary regarding my question for an explanation of "leaky gut." I will summarize the summary by saying--leaky gut is a good reason not to cheat on the diet!!! The following are remarks or knowledge of individuals on the list. Thanks to you all. (1) A leaky gut is one that has been damaged so that it no longer acts properly. A normal gut passes food through the intestine, breaking it down into useable particles, absorbing the useable parts and eliminating the rest. A leaky gut allows large, undigested paricles of food to pass into the bloodstream, causing all sorts of problesm such as food sensitivites. (2) If you have CD, you probably have leaky gut--until we heal outselves. Vitamins should help. (3) It is not for CD only; it occurs in many diseases including arthritis & gout. It could take 2-3 years to heal the gut. This person was told by nutritionist to take L-glutamine capsule (500 mg, an amino acid), and a strong acidophilus capsule--one with the words BIOTICS on the lable which does not require refrig so you can carry them with you. She felt better within 6 months and could eat dairy again. (3) Leaky gut causes physical reactions like arthritis, lupus, diabetes. The only vague or psychologic thing it causes is intense sleepiness about 15 to 60 minutes after eating gluten food, drinking milk or citrus juice. It goes away until the next "dose." (4) A good book for good coverage--"Digestive Wellness" by Elizabeth Lipski, M.S., C.C.N. (5) NEWSWEEK, Nov. 17, 1997, p. 95, had a full two-page article with good diagrams on leaky gut. (6) The diet for healing a leaky gut should be derived from foods that are well tolerated. Avoid any known allergenic food. Highly spiced food should be excluded from the diet. Many herbs recommended for intestional health, such as cayeene, pau d'arco, and sometimes even goldenseal can actually aggravate inflamed membranes lining the gut. The diet is best based upon fresh fruits and vegetables, low in animal fats and red meat (use oily fish, chicken and other sea foods as a source of animal protein). This was taken from the following: http://www.afpafitness.com/leakgut3.htm (sorry I don't know how to make it "clickable.") (7) There is another internet address where info can be accessed: http://www.healthy.net/library/articles/galland/leakygut.htm Sounds like we should keep it healed. - Thanks - Sharon in Kansas