Leaky gut syndrome is the name given to a disorder of the intestines where the intestinal lining has large spaces between the cells that allow the entry of toxic material into the bloodstream that would normally pass through the colon in the feces. Undigested proteins, fats, toxins, fungi, bacteria, and other wastes not normally absorbed into the bloodstream in a heathy state enter the through a “porous” intestine. If the intestine is not healthy, neither is the rest of the body.

What Are the Symptoms of Leaky Gut?

The symptoms are similar to those of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). A person may have abdominal bloating, gas, indigestion, alternating constipation and diarrhea. These may go on to include fibromyalgia, increasing food allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities, reduced resistance to infection, and in severe forms autoimmune disorders.

What Causes Leaky Gut?

Virtually anything that causes inflammation of the lining of the intestinal tract can cause this including:

• Prescription drugs such as steroids, aspirin, non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as Motrin or arthritis drugs, and prescription birth control pills.
• Mold or fungus stored in grains, fruit and refined carbohydrates – due to mycotoxins these molds or fungus produce.
• Antibiotics that lead to the overgrowth of abnormal bacteria, candida, fungi, and parasites.
• Chemical additives in foods such as dyes and preservatives.
• Enzyme deficiency states such as celiac disease.
• Alcohol and caffeine directly irritate the gut.

Why Is Leaky Gut Important?

When larger than normal protein molecules are absorbed through the intestine before they have had a chance to be completely broken down, the immune system may start making antibodies against them because it recognizes them as foreign invaders. Thus, allergies develop to previously innocuous foods, and organs can be targeted. If the inflammation occurs in the lungs, it is called asthma; if it is in a joint it is called arthritis; if it occurs in the blood vessels, vasculitis; if it occurs in the gut itself it may develop into inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s or may be called irritable bowel syndrome.
In addition to food allergies, the leaky gut syndrome can lead to invasion of the bloodstream by bacteria, fungi, or parasites. This can lead to stress on the detoxification pathways in the liver, resulting in symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, memory loss, or chemical sensitivities that a person did not have prior to the development of leaky gut.

Leaky gut can also lead to multiple nutritional deficiencies of minerals and vitamins. Minerals and vitamins are hooked on to and transported by carrier proteins. In leaky gut, these proteins are damaged as well, so the body can become deficient in nutrients. For instance, a deficiency in the mineral magnesium can lead to a condition such as fibromyalgia or muscle spasms, or a calcium or manganese deficiency can lead to bone problems. People with leaky gut often suffer from symptoms of chronic fatigue.

How Can I Find Out If I Have Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Short of taking small bowel biopsies and looking under the microscope for abnormalities, a special gut permeability urine test can be run.

How Can This Disorder Be Treated?

Treatment is targeted at the cause rather than at the symptoms. If a medication such as a NSAID drug is causing problems, it should be discontinued. If there is a parasitic infection, antiparasitic herbs such as black walnut or cloves might be used. Probiotics such as lactobacillus and bifidophillus as well as FOS (fructooligosaccharides) might be needed. A hypoallergenic diet with the elimination of all wheat and dairy products and processed foods may be needed. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and chewing food well, or taking digestive enzymes may be helpful. If a person has low stomach acid, betaine HCL may be used. There are also nutritional therapies that may be of benefit such as antioxidant vitamins, L-glutamine, essential fatty acids, green foods such as GreensFirst, and proanthocyanidins such as pycnogenols or bilberry extract, and aloe vera of good quality. At the Center we carry products that are powdered hypoallergenic formulas that contain most of the nutrients in one convenient package such as Ultraclear Plus or UltraInflamX.