34. Highlighting GI Disorders with Leonard Weinstock, M.D.

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Leonard Weinstock, a gastroenterologist, discusses the connection between hypermobility disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, highlighting the co-occurrence with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). He refers to these interconnected conditions as the "unhappy triad" and emphasizes how MCAS might play a central role in EDS. Dr. Weinstock elaborates on various GI disorders linked to these conditions, such as gastroparesis and small bowel intestinal overgrowth (SIBO), and introduced median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) as prevalent in those with MCAS or POTS. He shares his treatment practices, notably using low-dose naltrexone (LDN), alongside vitamins and diet modifications, for reducing inflammation. The episode also touches on the potential connection between long COVID-19 and MCAS symptoms, underscoring the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. Dr. Weinstock concludes with advice on finding GI specialists knowledgeable about these complex conditions.