The small intestine is equipped with villi. This intelligent, protective barrier permits nutrients to enter the bloodstream while discerning and blocking metabolic wastes, environmental toxins, heavy metals, and microbial toxins.
Leaky gut syndrome is the precursor to many diseases
Leaky gut syndrome begins with inflammation and irritation of the epithelium on the villi. This inflammation indicates that the villi are overburdened and unable to do their job correctly. Holes develop in between the villi, allowing toxins to make their way through the gut wall and into the bloodstream. The intestinal lining is comprised of 4,000 square feet of surface area. This lining is intended to protect. In leaky gut syndrome, the villi are compromised, the blood stream is not protected and becomes polluted by an influx of toxins. This indirectly affects the lymphatic system, endocrine system, liver function, and immune response. Because of depleted commensal microbes and ineffective villi, the organ systems are ultimately burdened.
The immune system, sensing danger from the influx of toxins into the bloodstream, may attack its own tissues, beckoning autoimmune diseases. Leaky gut syndrome is often the underlying pathology behind asthma, food allergies, chemical sensitivities, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, chronic fungal disorders, eczema, chronic sinusitis, and even fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. These health problems are made worse the longer a leaky gut is ignored. When nutrients aren’t being absorbed efficiently, more health problems result. As the gut lining endures inflammation, the antibodies that reside there may lose their protective coating. As secretory immunoglobulin A is weakened, the body becomes more vulnerable to bacterial infections in the intestines.
The main culprits that are destroying your gut health
If so many chronic health issues can be cured by addressing gut health, what are the causes of this inflammation?
Sadly, modern medicine is the primary driver of leaky gut syndrome. When antibiotics are consumed, the gut loses important microbes that help protect the gut wall. These intestinal microbiota are in relationship to the human host and play beneficial roles to protect physiological and metabolic processes occurring within the host. While antibiotics disable traits of infectious microorganisms, they also harm beneficial hosts, altering the microbial environment and functional structures inside the gut that are influenced by gut metabolites. As beneficial bacteria are reduced, their protective actions are lost, putting the villi at risk of inflammation. These bacteria are there to transform metabolic and microbial wastes so these toxins can be readily discharged by the body. If the good bacteria are not present, cellular debris, bile, chemical waste, viral toxins, fungus, and pus accumulate and put pressure on the gut wall. Hormones that are discharged from the liver to the small intestine are intended to be broken down by beneficial bacteria as well. If the bacteria are depleted, then the intestines may be reabsorbing estrogens that ultimately cause tumors throughout the body.
To make matters worse, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin and Advil widen the spaces between cells in the gut wall, perpetuating leaky gut syndrome. Not to mention, anti-acid drugs eliminate the gastric acid in the gut, harming intestinal microbes and their ability to use enzymes for removal of wastes.
Just as modern medicine puts pressure on the gut microbes and the villi’s ability to protect the blood, so does diet impact the strength and diversity of protective microbes in the gut. Non-organic foods that contain glyphosate inflame the intestinal lining. Glyphosate works like an antibiotic and negatively impacts human gut bacteria through the skikimate pathway. Alcohol and complicated grief also causes inflammation in the gut. A diet high in processed foods and low in fiber does not support the gut.
If you’re experiencing chronic fatigue, digestive issues, cramps, constipation, mood changes, and bloating, - you are likely experiencing leaky gut syndrome. More advanced signs include rashes, food sensitivities, psoriasis, celiac disease, or Crohns disease. Don't ignore these signs. Take action to restore your gut health before suffering becomes a normal way of life.
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