Not really much of a question.
Nope, not really. Because now that I've given up every kind of food that is convenient and/or delicious (my God I'd kill for a doughnut some days), there is no way in H. E. Double Toothpicks that I'm giving up alcohol. In fact, let me just take a quick break to pour a glass of my favorite cava, because typing about it has made me thirsty. Okay, now I'm having second thoughts about pouring that cava.
Here's the deal. And most of my friends just think I'm nuts when I try to explain this (partly because no one has the patience to participate in the extended boring conversation necessary to go through all this stuff, and partly because they just think I'm nuts). But all my allergy books discussing atopy and food allergies indicate that a "leaky gut" is a contributing factor to the allergic reaction/inflammation caused by eating certain foods. Huh? Yeah. Kind of like my hyper-permeable skin deal. While all skin is permeable, mine is hyper-permeable, because of the defective filaggrin/loss of the normal protective lipid barrier -- so moisture gets out and allergens get in, making my skin dry, itchy, and more susceptible to allergens and more likely to react, blah, blah, blah. That's why the CeraVe moisturizer works so well -- it not only restores the missing lipids, but provides a temporary simulated lipid barrier. But I miss my lipids and hate my alligator skin.
Anyway, something kind of like that happens in the gut. Your intestines have a mucosal lining and a filter system kind of like the cilia in your lungs. And when this barrier breaks down, your intestines become more permeable and allow larger food particles to escape into your blood stream. Your immune system sees these larger particles as aliens that need to be killed, just like a virus. Hey, presto, allergic reaction/inflammation. And what breaks down this lining, taxes your liver, and makes your intestines more permeable? Yes. It's my oldest and dearest friend, Alcohol. SHIT.
So I KNOW that I need to quit drinking alcohol in order to allow my gut to heal. I know that. But it just ain't gonna happen. So here's my compromise. I will TRY to cut back. No more private Thursday night parties of one while watching Project Runway. No more celebrating Tuesday nights, just because it's nice out. I can enjoy a Tuesday night with some green tea. Sigh. And on the weekends -- I promise to try to cut back. Not easy when I basically have a party at my own house every Sunday night -- i.e., I don't have to worry about driving, or even stumbling, home, so I can drink as much as I (or my friends) can stand. Another big sigh. Dang it. Life just sucks sometimes. I really feel like that song, "Everything I Love is Killing Me." Except instead of cigarettes, Jack Daniels and caffeine, it's cheese, Campo de Viejo cava and quiche.
Okay, I'm gonna go have that glass now. But just the one -- it's a Monday. And I shouldn't even have the one. But Hoarders and Intervention are on tonight, and I like a glass of something while I make fun of the alcoholics and feel better about me.
Here's the deal. And most of my friends just think I'm nuts when I try to explain this (partly because no one has the patience to participate in the extended boring conversation necessary to go through all this stuff, and partly because they just think I'm nuts). But all my allergy books discussing atopy and food allergies indicate that a "leaky gut" is a contributing factor to the allergic reaction/inflammation caused by eating certain foods. Huh? Yeah. Kind of like my hyper-permeable skin deal. While all skin is permeable, mine is hyper-permeable, because of the defective filaggrin/loss of the normal protective lipid barrier -- so moisture gets out and allergens get in, making my skin dry, itchy, and more susceptible to allergens and more likely to react, blah, blah, blah. That's why the CeraVe moisturizer works so well -- it not only restores the missing lipids, but provides a temporary simulated lipid barrier. But I miss my lipids and hate my alligator skin.
Anyway, something kind of like that happens in the gut. Your intestines have a mucosal lining and a filter system kind of like the cilia in your lungs. And when this barrier breaks down, your intestines become more permeable and allow larger food particles to escape into your blood stream. Your immune system sees these larger particles as aliens that need to be killed, just like a virus. Hey, presto, allergic reaction/inflammation. And what breaks down this lining, taxes your liver, and makes your intestines more permeable? Yes. It's my oldest and dearest friend, Alcohol. SHIT.
So I KNOW that I need to quit drinking alcohol in order to allow my gut to heal. I know that. But it just ain't gonna happen. So here's my compromise. I will TRY to cut back. No more private Thursday night parties of one while watching Project Runway. No more celebrating Tuesday nights, just because it's nice out. I can enjoy a Tuesday night with some green tea. Sigh. And on the weekends -- I promise to try to cut back. Not easy when I basically have a party at my own house every Sunday night -- i.e., I don't have to worry about driving, or even stumbling, home, so I can drink as much as I (or my friends) can stand. Another big sigh. Dang it. Life just sucks sometimes. I really feel like that song, "Everything I Love is Killing Me." Except instead of cigarettes, Jack Daniels and caffeine, it's cheese, Campo de Viejo cava and quiche.
Okay, I'm gonna go have that glass now. But just the one -- it's a Monday. And I shouldn't even have the one. But Hoarders and Intervention are on tonight, and I like a glass of something while I make fun of the alcoholics and feel better about me.
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