Most people are aware that the intestine’s primary job is to aid digestion and absorption of nutrients, to be used as energy by cells for survival. However, the intestinal (gut) wall also acts as a filter for different substances diffusing into the body. In healthy conditions, the gut is permeable to “good” substances, but becomes a barrier to potentially harmful things. “Leaky gut” is a condition where the intestine’s cell wall is not working properly, therefore permitting leakage of proteins, undesirable nutrition, and toxins across the gut wall into the bloodstream. As these substances are seen as foreign to our body, they could stimulate theimmune systemto launch an inflammatory response against our own organs and systems. This could be a major cause of certain disorder and many chronic conditions.
Leaky Gut is linked to the following symptoms and diseases:
- Chronic Headaches/Migraines
- Bloating / Bowel Irregularities
- Foggy Brain and other brain related symptoms such as Forgetfulness, Mood Swings, Poor Concentration
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Allergies
- Inflammatory Joint Disease/Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Eczema
The disorders/diseases listed above could be the cause, or the continuous outcome of leaky gut. Causes Leaky gut can be caused by any condition that could potentially damage the intestinal wall, including:
- Food containing high levels of sugar and carbohydrate
- Stress
- Alcohol, Caffeine, Cocoa, Chocolate, drinks such as Coca-Cola and unhygienic food -has chemicals in it
- The unbalanced condition of bacteria/ dysbiosis
- Drugs: Antibiotics
- Food allergy/Insensitivity
How would you know if you have leaky gut? Doctors will usually diagnose patients based on their history and symptoms. Any required laboratory examinations is carried out using the Dual Sugar Technique in which the patient will be asked to eat Lactulose and Mannitol, after which their urine sample will be kept for up to 6 hours. The results will indicate whether the patient has a leaky gut. In healthy people, lactulose is not normally absorbed across the intestinal wall, while Mannitol is. However, in someone with a leaky gut the amount and composition of sugar going through would be different. The Cure
Most importantly, begin by isolating and removing the cause of the patient’s leaky gut. For example, by avoiding foods that could pose a problem to the intestinal wall.
Arun Health Garden: Integrative Rehabilitation and Wellness Center
- Assist the intestine and digestive system by allowing enzymes to fix the imbalance of bacterial colonies in the intestine.
- Treat inflammation of the digestive tract e.g. giving vitamins and amino acids.