Do you read with a sense of skepticism?

Yup I read with a huge amount of sceptisism always. The internet is a wonderful place, but it is also full of woo and make believe

Just like common sense, the ability to read with healthy skepticism varies *greatly* from person to person.

Add in personal biases and desperation and, for a lot of people, whatever of the previous they may have had flies out the window.

In cultures where cheese and yoghurts have been eaten for millennia the population maintains the required enzymes to digest both casein and lactose. This comes down to stored cheese being good for protein when other proteins are less available. Elderly persons, I speak as one, can loose the ability of maintaining the required enzymes.

Also, I have a controlled autoimmunity. In persons where digestive microbes are very depleted and/or unbalanced by the over use of antibiotics and other medications, even the contraceptive pill, these can in some persons, an increasing number in the wide community, with reduce effectiveness of our digestion which can loosen the tight joints within the digestive tract allowing foods which are not fully digested cross the natural barrier at a size larger than is desirable. When this happens our immune system is alerted and goes into eliminate mode. Unfortunately sometimes these rogue particles are mistaken for some of our own cells. The immune system is not always able to identify the invader from one or more of the persons cells so sets about eliminating the particular cell which is most like the invader. In my situation it is the thyroid gland. I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. My system is incapable of differentiating my thyroid tissue from that of the molecule which mimics it. In a person with MS, the mistaken cells are the myelin sheaths which surround and protect the persons nerves. A person who has reduced thyroid function can also have reduced Human growth Hormone, because it is the third thyroid hormone. Often osteoarthritis is diagnosed some 10 to 15 years prior to low thyroid being recognised.

I know this is way outside many peoples sphere of understanding. Many Doctors also resist this concept so you are not on your own.

Back in my childhood vaccinations contained mercury as the preservative, teeth were filled with mercury, water pipes were made of lead, then they copper which is also unhelpful because it can build up in tissue and like the other metals become toxic. Omnivores are mostly protected by zinc being present in most meats, I do not remember the amount of zinc to balance 1 of the same in copper, it may be 10 to 1, or there about. (Please read about copper toxicity) Vegetarians and Vegans can suffer from a build up of copper from the veg and fruit the consume. Now plastics are used for cold water pipes over here in new builds. I can't remember the number of rounds of penecilin and related antibiotics i have used in my life time. My health was well and truly compromised from an early age by well intentioned medics and my environment.

We are fortunate in Britian because it is becoming more understook that digestive microbes need to be in balance for health and some doctors suggest using them after a round of antibiotics. I have provided them for members of my family, saying read up on this, I know they will help you but make sure for yourself. Poor digestive biome can influence one's moods for the worst too, contributing to depression.

My Hashimoto's, reduced my thyroid function which reduced my digestive activity causing more varieties of microbes to be lost, it contributed to othr health conditions including a tendency to bronchitis, reactions to foods and preservatives, it contributed to oestrogen dominance and so much more. It was an eminent Professor in Immunology who told me all this several years ago, suggesting my problems went way, way back. I was refused the opportunity to return to him by the local endo bod at the local hospital, who considered he knew better. I had to resort to going outside our health system to get my health back, trying to follow the guidance i received from the professor.

I was really unwell at the time, i could not be in large public spaces in comfort, even my back garden, when the neighbours washing was on the line was out of bounds, though some plants did similarly, i was using air filters at home too. Traveling by public transport was impossible too. In the end I opted to visit a local, 20 minutes down the road, BANT registered nutritionist, who also works in Harley Street, London's private health care area. (Regrettably they are not available over seas) Following very expensive blood tests we set about restoring my liver and endocrine functions. I introduced lemon juice, and differnt supliments, avoided added sugar, eventually i discovered digestuve microbes which did not add to my Histamine Intolerance and took them continioulsy in various forms for 18 months or more, now i take them every couple or three months. I also take alternative glandular products for my thyroid and adrenals. Mostly with her help, a few inspired reading sessions of my own. following as near i could the advice of the Professor, discovering digestive enzymes to digest salicylate and polly-phenols from foods, I have my life and health back. For now i still need the pills but at least, I am living. I can look after my 13 month old, gt grandson which i could not have done 13/14 years ago.

So yes, for some of us, leaky gut is a thing. I hope i have given a reasonable explanation of how it can happen. Please read up for yourselves. My strongest wish is that no one else goes through part what i have.

Edited to add.

a sugar level which is too high for the individual will contribute to thrush and cystitis.

poor endocrine function can under pin diabetes, the thyroid gland is the hub of the endocrine system and if other parts of the system are underperforming its the thyroid gland which will show up problems, different to those of autoimmunity.

Also, in the book/website of Stop The Thyroid Madness, says to the effect, that when the investigations to discover the prevalence of thyroid problems in society, left over blood samples in a path lab were used for this purpose. From STTM's point of view and I agree, these blood samples being devoid of patient status, were they under thyroid treatment, had family on treatment and small details like this only gives the prevalence in that hospital for that week, not necessarily society in general with external influences. All samples were treated as if they had the same value where as, someone under treatment would skew the data. The chances of being able to conduct similar research again are, I would imagine nil. Regrettably this is why people, usually women will keep being told, you are fine, "you are within the normal range". How far from the mark that statement is means all the difference to many patients who never get to feel well again. Some will not be able to turn t4 into the active form t3, some will lack vitamins and minerals which could help and those who are genetically un able are not tried on t3 supplements because t4 always works, except it can't!

Our bodies are so very complicate.

I assume whatever I read is incorrect and follow where objective evidence leads.

I review the core material the article was based upon, seek out alternative views and data, review confirmation bias, and speak to others about the subject at hand before taking a stance.

We are only beginning to realize the toxic combination of "hit/like" marketing and a population lacking the ability to think objectively.

My skepticism increases proportionally to the amount of letters behind one's name or regulatory body. If appeal to authority is required, then it is definitive bull squeeze.

What's humorous about statements such as these is that there is no logical justification.

No X does Y, so why does Z do Y?

Applying this same theoretical logic with any other variables usually exposes woo with ease.

There is no animal on the planet that practices medicine.

There is no animal that travels using mechanical means.

There is no animal on the planet that deliberately sacrifices it's present for it's future.

By this logic, stop using the internet as no other animal runs an ISP.

I always read with skepticism, that is my natural way of thinking and always has been. My friends hate me because I am always pointing out when their stories, emails, and eventually memes are urban legends or fake news. I also have a practical nature and have been told I am a great mediator, This means when I read stuff about questionable scientific studies I am able to pick out the useful information. I am also able to temper the excess and fearmongering with common sense.

The one time I went to a palm reader (vacation so why not?) she knew right away I was a skeptic so all her predictions had a caveat attached.

I always read with skepticism and err on the side of rejecting something that might be true rather than accept something that is false. Even if I think it likely is true I am reluctant to repeat it unless I look into it further to feel fully confident. There is actually very little in the general media I trust as being accurate. That said it would be exhausting to check into everything and I don't do that...it becomes a risk assessment at that point.

Source says X is dangerous...would avoiding X be a hassle?...if so look into it further or ignore it. If avoiding X isnt a hassle and it being dangerous is at least plausible and source is reasonable may as well avoid X....but dont go around talking about how dangerous X is because of something I read but didn't look into.

I think it is utter folly to think stories you read online are fully vetted well researched and 100% accurate. I'm pretty sure 99% of the time they aren't.