Leaky gut? What in the world is leaky gut? I first heard this term about a year and a half ago when going through some alternative treatments for Sis's eczema. The more I have learned about leaky gut since then, the more I realize this is a plausible explanation for her vast array of food allergies and intolerances. Last year, Sis has a blood test done to test for some food and environmental allergies. Her pediatrician was shocked at the results...poor thing reacted to EVERYTHING she was tested for. I was ready to put Sis in a bubble! She was allergic to everything around her and every food group. It was very startling. Back to leaky gut...
You may not hear much about it in the news, and your doctor has probably not mentioned it either. And if you ask your doctor about leaky gut, you may be told it doesn't exist. You may even be suffering from one of the many symptoms related to leaky gut. Leaky gut actually affects millions of Americans, many not knowing they have it. A google search on leaky gut returns many sites dealing with this subject. I recently listened to interviews during the Gluten Free Health Summit, organized by the Gluten Free School, regarding health and being gluten free. Several of the interviews also talked about leaky gut, which answered so many questions (some can be found on the podcast at Gluten Free School. Very informative!)
So what is leaky gut? How and why does it happen?
To understand leaky gut, one needs to first understand the functions of a healthy gut. The gut is simply the digestive tract, which includes the small and large intestines. In my opinion, you can't talk about the digestive tract and ignore the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas because they all contribute to the digestion of food and are located at the beginning of the small intestines.Did you know that 80% of our immune system is located in our digestive tract (small intestines to be exact)? (Each time I read that, I wonder where the other 20% is!) So wouldn't it make sense to take proper care of our digestive tract to keep it functioning properly? I think so. After all, it is our first line of defense against harmful bacteria and viruses. And, when we come in contact with these harmful bacteria and viruses, or antigens, our immune system creates antibodies that destroy them, like it is supposed to.
The majority of the vitamins and nutrients that are absorbed by your body from the foods you eat, also takes place mainly in the small intestines. The small intestines are considered to be semipermeable, allowing only certain, tiny particles to go through the intestinal wall into your bloodstream to be whisked away to nourish every cell in your body. However, when the small intestines are inflamed, the intestinal wall becomes enlarged and damaged. This allows for toxins, bacteria, and partially digested food particles to enter the bloodstream. The best description of what is going on is this: picture a garden hose with holes between both ends. When you turn on the spigot, what happens? Water flows through the holes on the way to the end of the hose, right?. How much water actually comes out the other end of the hose? That garden hose represents your small intestines. The holes in the garden hose are the damage done to the intestinal lining. This is where the term "leaky gut" comes in. Now, the "foreign material" which has leaked into your bloodstream, is attacked and destroyed by antibodies. So now, those partially undigested food particles have become the enemy. Each time you eat any of those foods, your immune system engages and attacks it, resulting in food allergies. According to Dr. Daniel Kalish, each antibody attaches to an antigen which is then dumped into the liver to be broken down. With the immune system in hyper-mode, there are vast amounts of antigens being dumped into the liver all at once. So now, we have a damaged and inflamed intestinal wall, an over active immune system, and a stressed out liver. Definitely NOT a good combination! (The liver is the body's filtration system. And when the liver gets flooded with antigens, it can't keep up and the toxins have to go somewhere.) With the immune system operating at such an intense capacity, the antibodies go into a frenzy, attacking everything in its way (ever see hungry fish being fed!) When antibodies attack our own tissues, auto immune diseases can be the result.
There are 4 main causes of leaky gut according to Dr. Josh Axe; poor diet, chronic stress, toxin overload, and bacterial imbalance. When you look at the typical American diet, its no wonder we have such poor health! High amounts of processed, sugary food & drinks, and low, good quality REAL food.
There are MANY symptoms of autoimmune disorders, which can also be attributed to leaky gut. As you read through this list, ask yourself which ones apply to you (or a family member): allergies, anxiety or depression, blood pressure changes (usually low), digestive problems (gas, bloating, irritable bowel, etc), extreme fatigue, low blood sugar, not feeling well in general, memory problems, migraines, muscle or joint pain, muscle weakness, PMS, rashes or skin problems, recurring headaches (separate from migraines), resistance to weight loss, sleep disturbances, susceptibility to infection, swollen glands, thyroid problems, unexplained weight changes, yeast infections, fertility problems. These symptoms are not just "what happens as we get older." There is a REASON they happen. But they don't have to. These are warning signs that really need to be dealt with. If left unchecked, they can lead to major problems down the road.
This information is from my own research and observation, and the articles/research I have found along the way. This, in no way, is medical advice or meant to diagnose or treat.
