Leaky Gut

A diagram of the good and bad bacteria

Leaky Gut Treatment & Information

 A stomach issue

A man with stomach and abdominal area in blue.

Leaky Gut (also called Intestinal Permeability or Hyper Permeability) is a condition when the intestinal digestive system cell wall has become damaged to the extent of excessive permeability (1).

Your digestive system (gut, bowel, intestine, GI tract) acts like a filter that allows the passage of good, healthy nutrients into the blood and keeps bad, unhealthy toxins out. One of the protective mechanisms is the ‘tight juncture’ formed between the cells. Negative influences (see our page: Causes of Leaky Gut) break these tight junctions apart (via a protein called zonulin) and allow unwanted toxins (undigested food, microbes, toxins, acids ) to move or leak into the bloodstream (thus the name ‘leaky gut’).

Your immune system recognizes these invaders and tries to destroy them by building antibodies. An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin (Ig), is a large Y-shape protein produced by plasma cells that is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. (2)

That immune response will show up as numerous signs and symptoms (see our page: Signs and Symptoms of Leaky Gut) and most common food allergies. The Repair Phase treatment for this condition begins with testing to identify then eliminate the offending foods. Proper diet is essential followed by supplement treatment therapy.

REFERENCES

Odenwald, M. A., & Turner, J. R. (2013). Intestinal Permeability Defects: Is It Time to Treat? Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 11(9), 1075-1083. DOI:10.1016/j.cgh.2013.07.001

 

Janeway, C. A. (1999). Immunobiology. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

Causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome (intestinal permeability)

There are numerous causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome all associated with a break down in the normally healthy probiotic inner ecology or microbiome. Whereas any of the factors below can individually or collectively cause temporary harm from which the microbiome can adapt and bounce back, repeated use or exposure over time will cause actual damage to the bowel epithelial cells and the tight juncture between them. This tight juncture breakdown creates a severe compromise to the integrity of the GI tract, allows passage of unwelcome toxins directly into the bloodstream, thereby contributing to a variety of well documented disease-related effects such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), Intestinal permeability (leaky gut), Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), collectively called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Advanced breakdown contributes to immune-mediated conditions characterized by a chronic inflammation of the gut such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus. (See our page: Signs and Symptoms).

Causes of leaky gut:

DRUGS: leaky gut will increase and be affected by OTC (over the counter) aspirin and related NSAID (nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs as well as Rx prescription drugs. (3)

FOOD ADDITIVES: leaky gut will increase from commonly used food additives such as gluten, salt, glucose, microbials, organic solvents, emulsifiers. (2)

CANDIDA (yeast) overgrowth: can play a significant role in the tearing or ‘cleavage’ of the intestinal cell wall causing hyperpermeability, intestinal permeability, or leaky gut. (4)

Alcohol Use. Ingestion of alcohol can cause a ‘leaky gut’ syndrome which in turn contributes to infection and systemic organ dysfunction (1) (5)

REFERENCES

Qin, X., & Deitch, E. (2015, January 22). Dissolution of lipids from mucus: A possible mechanism for a prompt disruption of gut barrier function by alcohol. Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4291284/

Lerner, A., & Matthias, T. (2015, February 09). Changes in intestinal tight junction permeability associated with industrial food additives explain the rising incidence of autoimmune disease. Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568997215000245

Sequeira, I., Lentle, R., Kruger, M., & Hurst, R. (2014, February). Differential trafficking of saccharidic probes following aspirin in clinical tests of intestinal permeability in young healthy women. Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24033480

Frank, C., & Hostetter, M. (2007, April). Cleavage of E-cadherin: A mechanism for disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier by Candida albicans. Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17383595

Keshavarzian, A., Farhadi, A., Forsyth, C., Rangan, J., Jakate, S., Shaikh, M., . . . Fields, J. (2009, March). Evidence that chronic alcohol exposure promotes intestinal oxidative stress, intestinal hyperpermeability, and endotoxemia prior to the development of alcoholic steatohepatitis in rats. Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19155080

The signs and symptoms or Leaky Gut Syndrome are very similar to those of Candida Overgrowth and intestinal dysbiosis. This Syndrome indicates an advanced degeneration of the overall health and well being of the effected person. Like all disease there are beginning signs and symptoms which can progress to more complicated issues s uch as UC (ulcerative colitis), CD (Crohn’s disease) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) all commonly referred to as called IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). Long term untreated conditions contribute to Lupus, Diabetes and RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis which are immune function disruptions caused by chronic intestinal inflammation.(1)

Early onset Leaky Gut symptoms:

  • Abnormal digestive problems (gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation) called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Exhaustion, Chronic fatigue
  • Mental fogginess, emotional ups and downs, ADHD, ADD, bipolar
  • Food allergies or food intolerances (numerous symptoms)
  • Skin issues such as red, dry, rash, eczema, acne, psoriasis

Chronic, long term, more serious Leaky Gut symptoms:

  • Respiratory problems like asthma, sinus headaches, daily mucus.
  • Muscle stiffness, soreness, pain, swelling and inflammation, fibromyalgia.
  • Joint pain, arthritis, gout.
  • Celiac disease, Lupus, Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diabetes

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FOOD ALLERGY symptoms ranked from mild to severe.

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A specific food triggers these reactions within 24 hours of eating. Most food allergy is caused by leaky gut . If you have any of these reactions, consider our IgG4+IgA specific food allergy test. (Not usually covered by your insurance, so plan to pay out of pocket). But it will give you a useful list of (1) Foods you can eat freely, (2) Foods you can eat sparingly, and (3) Foods you should never eat – at least until you heal the leaky gut.

MILD ALLERGY means the symptoms you experience tend to be uncomfortable but not severe, such as:

  • wheezing
  • mucus: throat clearing or runny nose
  • red, itchy or watery eyes
  • tingling (anywhere but usually in or around the mouth, chin, cheeks)
  • red or warm flush (anywhere but usually the face or chest)
  • physical fatigue (extending to exhaustion)
  • recurring itch
  • mental fatigue (brain fog)

MODERATE means more persistent, more frequent, lasts longer or more intense of any above plus these:

  • hives (itchy, red elevated welts or flat red splotches)
  • constipation and/or diarrhea (loose stool)
  • skin rash or red patches (eczema)
  • light-headed-ness, dizzy, spaced out
  • mild breathing difficulties
  • swelling of the lips or face
  • headache
  • forehead or behind the eyes pain
  • nausea, upset stomach
  • feel like or actual vomiting

SEVERE means a reaction known as anaphylaxis. If someone develops any of these conditions, do not hesitate to seek immediate or emergency medical treatment:

  • swelling or closing of the throat
  • shortness or intense breathing troubles
  • chest tightness,
  • rapid or abnormal pulse
  • drop or elevation of blood pressure
  • heart palpitations
  • loss of consciousness
  • break out into a sweat

REFERENCES:

The role of Haptoglobin and its related protein, Zonulin … (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.4161/tisb.27321

There are two ways to medically test leaky gut and, more importantly, some of its effects.

  • The standard leaky gut Lab test is called the Lactulose/Mannitol Challenge. You drink a solution containing two substances (non-metabolised sugar molecules lactulose and mannitol) and then collect your urine. Lactulose is large and penetrates poorly through the intestinal barrier so an elevated level of lactulose in your urine is indicative of increased intestinal permeability. Mannitol, on the other hand, is usually well absorbed so a low percentage recovery of mannitol is indicative of malabsorption. A high lactulose/mannitol ratio means that you have increased gut permeability.
  • Another test, perhaps more valuable, is to measure the effects of leaky gut with a food allergy test, specifically IgE, IgG4 and IgA antibodies. There is scientific certainty that leaky gut will cause food sensitivities. If leaky gut is to be healed, those foods must be identified and removed.

Allergic and other hypersensitivity reactions to foods and aeroallergens are characterized by elevated allergen-specific antibody levels in the affected individual’s blood. Research indicates that these types of reactions are implicated in a number of health problems. There are MANY – several dozen – reactions ranging from an immune based food allergy.

Rx Drugs: There is no allopathic drug or surgical cure for leaky gut so your allopathic MD will tell you there is no cure.

Natural:The only widely recognized protocol to improve this condition is the 5R program we use, recommend and coach you through.

Treatment: This is a complex auto-immune disorder which requires a comprehensive approach using diet, supplements and mind body lifestyle changes.  We call that the Healthy Trinity strategy.


NOTE that no one, except a pharmaceutical drug company, can make any claim, for any outcome, for any product (drug, supplement, potion, lotion, or remedy). Thus we state that the provided information, comments, and opinions are for educational purposes only. At no time should it take the place of individualized evaluation and treatment recommendations provided by a qualified and licensed health care practitioner in the context of a clinical relationship, which we do provide.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Neither the information nor any formula(s) mentioned is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Only a pharmaceutical drug can legally claim that. Therefore we can make no claims. IF the products discussed here have a positive effect and your health challenge disappears or becomes resolved, well then, according to US law, we must say it was by mere chance, the placebo effect, a Miracle! or perhaps an act of God.
Such is the state of our corporate-controlled disease management industry and the reason so many people are seeking natural and whole-life solutions to their health challenges