What causes leaky gut syndrome and how to heal the intestines

(NaturalNews) What is leaky gut syndrome? You hear the term leaky gut syndrome and imagine holes poked into your intestines. Unfortunately, your image is pretty much spot on.

In a healthy gut, the walls are lined with cells that are sealed together, providing a barrier that contains its contents. Villi, which contain a tiny vessel from the circulatory system and a vessel from the lymphatic system, absorb nutrients from our food. This exchange through the villi is designed to be the only means whereby nutrients enter the bloodstream and the lymphatic system.

When the gut is permeable, the cells lining the wall of the intestines do not provide a proper barrier. Toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles leak through the intestinal wall directly into the bloodstream and the lymphatic system. The immune system goes into overdrive, attacking these foreign particles that do not belong in the blood or the lymph fluid.

What causes leaky gut syndrome?

Parasites, a buildup of bad bacteria, allergens, and toxins all cause inflammation and destruction of the tight bonds holding the cells together that line the intestines. Some blame gluten for the destruction of the cell lining. Common sense says Candida is the most common, primary cause and most likely the precursor to gluten sensitivity.

Candida begins as a one cell yeast. As it grows and multiplies, it changes into a form called hyphae, filaments that spread and grow, boring into tissue. The filaments exude enzymes that feed off of our tissues, actually digesting our tissues before absorbing nutrients from them.

There is no possibility of sealing the gut wall without elimination of Candida overgrowth, elimination of parasites, and elimination of inflammation.

What damage does leaky gut syndrome do to the body?

A constant spillage of toxins, proteins, microbes, and particles into the blood and lymph activates and overworks the immune system. This constant onslaught is believed to be the underlying cause of auto-immune disease as an over-worked and over-taxed immune system loses the ability to differentiate between pathogens and host cells in the body. In addition, the spillage of particles creates an allergic response to foods that would normally be tolerated. Gluten proteins, for example, are leaked into the blood and lymph, creating a gluten intolerance. When gluten is ingested, it inflames the intestines, increasing permeability, and the cycle continues.

How to heal a leaky gut & irritable bowel

The first step to healing a leaky gut is a thorough cleanse and detox (the first two sources below are detoxification articles). Through this process, toxins are flushed from the body and parasites are eliminated. Following a cleanse, Candida overgrowth must be eradicated. The proper gut balance is restored through diet and the addition of probiotics. When the gut is brought back into balance and the body is fed a proper nutrient dense diet, the gut will heal. For more information, see Balance the Ecosystem and Cure Candida.

Sources:

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://truthwiki.org/Oregano

http://truthwiki.org/Garlic

http://www.womentowomen.com

http://www.fungusfocus.com

About the author:
Allene Edwards first became interested in alternative medicine and holistic treatment modalities when she successfully used diet therapy to manage her children�s ADHD. Later when she became chronically ill with an auto-immune disease that multiple doctors could not identify, much less cure, she successfully treated both the symptoms and the cause through naturopathic treatment and nutrition. She is the Managing Editor of Organic Lifestyle Magzine and a regular contributor.