Leaky Gut Syndrome
You have heard of it…How do you know if you have it?
As more Americans are affected by poor diet choices, chronic stress, toxic overload, and bacterial imbalance, it appears that the prevalence of leaky gut is potentially reaching epidemic proportions. The medical profession is just now agreeing this condition even exists, which is especially shocking considering that “intestinal permeability” (another name for leaky gut) has been discussed in the medical literature for over 100 years! In recent years, leaky gut has been called a “danger signal for autoimmune diseases.
What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
“All disease begins in the gut.”
-Hippocrates
For over three decades, study after study has been published (several thousand articles exist to date) discussing our growing understanding of immunity, gut function, and how modern diets and lifestyles negatively contribute to overall health by damaging the digestive system. The term to describe this is Leaky Gut Syndrome. In the medical literature, leaky gut is also referred to as “Intestinal Hyperpermeability.”
The Gut/Immune Connection
First, I’ll explain a bit about the one of body’s first lines of Defense, The Gut Associated Lymphatic Tissue, or the Mucosal Associated Lymphatic Tissue. Let’s call this the GALT/MALT for short.
The GALT is the mucous membrane that lines the inside passages of our body. Much like the skin (the largest organ in the body), the GALT is let’s say our “inside skin”. I like to call it our “Border Wall”, determining what goes into our bloodstream and what stays out. This mucous membrane lining is in our nose, sinuses, lungs, respiratory passages, mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, bladder, urinary tract, and vaginal lining.
Wow! All that? Yes, it lines all inside passages of our body.
It is made of several layers:
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The Epithelial Cell Layer
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The Mucosal Tissue Layer
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The Antibody Layer: (which we primarily acquire from being breast fed by our mothers)
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The Probiotic Layer: (which we acquire as we pass through our mother’s vaginal tract at birth.)
This complex Border wall is one of main lines of defense and immunity. When we eat, the nutrients are broken down by enzymes in the stomach and small intestine. Then they pass through small openings in the GALT where they arrive in the blood and are transported to other areas of the body. The bad guys like Viruses, Bacteria, Undigested Foods, Allergens, Environmental Toxins, and much more are not allowed to pass through. That is assuming the GALT is intact.
What Causes Leaky Gut?
Unfortunately, many of us, (including me) have a compromised GALT known as “Leaky Gut Syndrome”. This is a breakdown in the GALT integrity and a weakening of the Border wall.
There are numerous things that cause “Leaky Gut”. Below is list of some of them.
Things That Cause Leaky Gut:
1 Medications such as: Antibiotics, Steroids, Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS), Birth Control Pills, Chemotherapy Drugs, Stimulants, Anti-Depressants, and many more
2, Stress (UGH!)
3,Infections such as Candida, Parasites, Bacteria and Viruses
4.Foods such as: Sugar, Wheat, Hydrogenated Fats, Food Additives, Cow’s Milk GMOs
5.Party Drugs, Alcohol, Coffee (Dr. G’s Weakness), Tea
6.Environmental Toxins: pesticides, petroleum, plastic, chlorine, fluoride, other chemicals in the environment.
7.Genetic Predisposition
8.Imbalance of Microbiome
And there are more… In other words, MODERN LIFE!
What Happens if my Gut is Leaky?
When the GALT is broken down or “Leaky”, we are not absorbing our nutrients very well. And the Microbes and Toxins that are not supposed to get into our bloodstream start to sneak across. This can lead to disruptions all along the border wall.
Leaky Gut Affects Every System it is Associated with:
Respiratory: colds, flus, allergy, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis
Digestive: IBS, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, food intolerances, heartburn, reflux, GERD, ulcers, Chron’s, Colitis, Celiac
Urinary Tract: UTI, Cystitis, Incontinence, Kidney Infections
Vaginal Tract: Yeast and Bacterial Infections, Herpes, HPV, Vaginal Atrophy, Dryness
Skin: acne, eczema, psoriasis, dryness, aging skin, allergies
Immune: Frequent infection and immune issues, Autoimmune diseases
So, as you can see, the health of the GALT is essential to good health. It is the foundation for all good things entering and for the health of our Immune System. It is the Border Wall which is going to determine who gets in and who stays out.
What are the symptoms of leaky gut?
Some of the most prominent signs you may have this condition include:
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Gastric ulcers
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Joint pain
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Infectious diarrhea
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IBS
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Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)
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SIBO
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Celiac disease
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Esophageal and colorectal cancer
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Allergies
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Food Sensitivities
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Respiratory infections
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Acute inflammation conditions
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Chronic inflammatory conditions (such as arthritis)
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Thyroid disorders
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Obesity-related metabolic diseases (fatty liver, type II diabetes, heart disease)
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Autoimmune diseases (such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, Hashimoto’s and more)
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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Parasites and Candida Infections
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Weight Gain
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