| When you first hear the term leaky gut, you might think of incontinence. However, while not as embarrassing, leaky gut is by far a more serious illness. Chronic stress, intestinal infections, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, environmental contaminants, alcohol, caffeine, poor diet, NSAIDS (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen), antibiotics, and other medications can all cause leaky gut syndrome. Recent research indicates that leaky gut may either cause or elevate many other illnesses. What is a Leaky Gut? Our overall health is largely dependant upon the condition of the gut (intestinal) wall. The nutrients we need latch onto carrier proteins. In a healthy gut, the intestinal lining provides your body with a filter that lets carrier proteins pass through it, yet blocks harmful substances from accessing the bloodstream. When the intestinal lining is damaged, the gut becomes more permeable (porous). Enlarged spaces allow our bodies to absorb larger than usual protein molecules. |
Since these larger protein molecules arent supposed to be in the bloodstream, our immune systems see them as invaders and take defensive action beginning the cycle of leaky gut syndrome. The Four Cycles of Leaky Gut Syndrome 1. Food Allergies Typically, leaky gut syndrome begins with food allergies as white blood cells generate antibodies to fight too-large protein molecules. 2. Malnutrition Even though antibodies recognize enlarged carrier proteins as intruders, the proteins still carry essential nutrients. Since our zealous antibodies destroy these proteins, our bodies lose these valuable nutrients. Loss of nutrition further lowers our ability to ward off real toxins and pathogens, and leads to the third cycle of leaky gut syndrome. 3. Bacterial Dysbiosis Loss of essential nutrients allow normally harmless bacteria, yeasts, and protozoa to trigger disease, further altering both the bodys ability to process nutrients and the responses of our immune systems. 4. Hepatic stress Because our immune systems are overloaded, the liver needs to work overtime to remove toxins and true pathogens. Some of them compromise the bile that the liver creates to eliminate them, damaging bile ducts, refluxing into the pancreas, and depleting amino acids. The cycle turns full circle and the intestinal lining is further damaged. Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome Leaky gut syndrome has also been associated with illnesses like Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and disorders like hyperactivity and autism. Because leaky gut syndrome damages carrier proteins, resulting nutrient deficiencies cause many symptoms. Additionally, both bacteria and yeasts pass into the bloodstream, making the body susceptible to even more infections, illnesses, and disorders. Chronic fatigue Fevers of unknown origin Food intolerances Abdominal pain Diarrhea alternating with constipation (often misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Skin disorders (rashes, hives, acne, psoriasis, eczema) Memory loss or confusion Shortness of breath Poor exercise tolerance Asthma Chronic joint and/or muscle pain Indigestion Mood swings Recurrent vaginal infections Closing in on Leaky Gut Syndrome
| Claude Andre, the leading French researcher in leaky gut syndrome, advanced the idea of measuring gut permeability to determine the presence of leaky gut syndrome. The mannitol and lactulose test is the standard test for leaky gut syndrome. Both mannitol and lactulose are nontoxic, water-soluble molecules that the body can’t use. People with healthy intestinal linings easily absorb mannitol while lactulose, a larger molecule, is only slightly absorbed and mostly eliminated through urination. To take the test, you drink a solution that contains both mannitol and lactulose. After urine is collected for six hours, the amount of these two molecules in the urine reflects how much of them your body absorbed. High levels of mannitol and low levels of lactulose indicate a healthy intestinal wall. High levels of both molecules indicate a leaky gut syndrome. Alternatively, low levels of both molecules indicate poor absorption of all nutrients. |
Patching Your Leaky Gut The good news is that the best way to patch your leaky gut is to do it naturally. The first step in healing a leaky gut is to break the leaky gut cycle through dietary change. Make your diet as hypoallergenic as possible by eliminating alcohol, caffeine, sugar, white flour products, gluten, dairy products, and fatty foods (bad fats). Other aids in reversing leaky gut syndrome include: 1. Take time to eat properly. Eat several small meals daily instead of three large ones. Set aside time for eating and take more time with meals. Chew your food thoroughly. Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) stimulates growth and repair of tissue. High concentrations of EGF in saliva nourish the gut. Help concentrate on chewing by setting finger foods and eating utensils back on your plate in between bites. 2. Whenever possible, use natural remedies instead of synthetic medications. Some natural remedies include: Natural Antibiotics (e.g. Echinacea, colloidal silver, garlic) Antiparasitics (e.g. clove, wormwood, black walnut) Antifungals (e.g. taheebo, caprylic acid, grapefruit seed extract) 3. Add some natural dietary supplements to your diet. High fiber supplements of hypoallergenic insoluble fibers (like chlorella) help the body speed unwanted elements to natural elimination processes. Those derived from Jerusalem artichoke, chicory, the dahlia plant or burdock root are useful. Others include Artemisia, milk thistle, and dandelion root. You dont have to suffer with leaky gut syndrome. Anthony Haynes, the award-winning clinical nutritionist and founder of The Nutrition Clinic in London says, The lining of your gut is as thin as an eyelid. It takes just four days to regenerate itself and over a lifetime, it will help process 25 tonnes of food. It is far more sensitive and permeable than your skin and is the true interface between your body and the outside world. Experts recommend 1) avoidance of synthetic drugs and allergenic foods, 2) dietary change, and 3) nutritionally rich dietary supplements as the best tools to reverse the symptoms, improve digestive functions, and patch your leaky gut!