Leaky Gut can be a confusing condition, but it’s becoming more and more of an epidemic. Many of the causes and cures of Leaky Gut are widely debated, but the health field is becoming more aware of the condition and we are identifying ways to treat it.
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Leaky Gut Syndrome is a term used to describe the condition of “Hyperpermeable Intestines,” a medical term that means the lining of our intestines (aka: our “Gut”) has become more porous, with more holes developing that are larger in size. In turn, this means the screening out process is no longer functioning properly. The end result is that larger, undigested food molecules and other “bad stuff” (yeast, toxins, and all other forms of waste) that your body normally doesn’t allow through, are allowed to freely enter your bloodstream.
The first reaction your body has to these “foreign” bodies in your blood is to FIGHT!
Initially, your Liver is called into action to work overtime and try to screen out all the particles that your intestinal lining was supposed to be taking care of. In most cases, the liver has no chance of keeping up with the constant flow of waste into your blood.
Over time, all the toxins, undigested food molecules, yeast, and other pathogens start to accumulate in your body. Obviously, this is not good.
Your immune system slowly goes into full battle-mode to fight the evil intruders and purge them from your body. More often than not, the body cannot keep up with the task at hand and the majority of these foreign bodies absorb into tissues throughout the body leading to tissue inflammation.
Inflammation is also an immune response and causes even more stress on your system. Now that your body is focused on fighting the large war, the little battles are starting to be ignored, like filtering out the blood, calming inflamed areas of the body, fighting bacteria, regulating the gut, etc. This process flow can lead to your body fighting itself and an array of autoimmune diseases such as Chronic Fatigue, MS, IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, Diabetes and Fibromyalgia.
What Causes Leaky Gut Syndrome?
If you’re having sensitivities to more than a dozen foods, you likely have Leaky Gut Syndrome. Any undigested foods that are absorbed into the blood stream are now considered enemies of the state, and your immune system will develop reactions to many of them, leading to food intolerances.
Four main causes of Leaky Gut:
Poor diet
Chronic stress
Toxin overload
Bacterial imbalance
The most common components of food that can damage your intestinal lining are the proteins found in un-sprouted grains, sugar, GMO’s and conventional dairy. The problem with un-sprouted grains is that they contain large amounts of anti-nutrients or nutrient blockers called phytates and lectins.
Lectins are sugar-binding proteins that act as a natural defense system for plants that protect them from outside invaders like mold and parasites. This is good news for plants but bad news for your body. Your digestive lining is covered with sugar-containing cells that help break down your food. Lectins gravitate toward this area and when they attach to your digestive lining, it damages your gut and causes inflammation.
Little is known about other causes of leaky gut that aren’t linked to certain types of drugs, radiation therapy, or food allergies.
An Unsolved Mystery
Leaky Gut symptoms aren’t unique. They’re shared by other problems, too. And tests often fail to uncover a definite cause of the problem. That can leave people without a diagnosis and, therefore, untreated.It’s therefore crucial to find a doctor who will take time with you and take your concerns seriously.
Healthy Connections treats Leaky Gut every day. Call us if you’re ready to heal your gut – (541)716-5786!