Leaky gut (intestinal permeability) contributes to numerous inflammatory gastrointestinal, non-intestinal diseases (skin, liver, brain) and autoimmune diseases.
Our intestinal tract is lined by layers of epithelial cells, which are connected by cell-cell junctions. This junction maintains tissue integrity, creates a barrier to control the passage of water, molecules, cells, and pathogens across epithelial layers, and protects against disease.
Even micro holes in the intestinal epithelial barriers can lead to serious pathological consequences, infection and inflammation.
What are risk factors for leaky gut
Infection
Bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), yeast overgrowth, virus, parasites. Intestinal infection caused by E.coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogenic agents. Helicobacter pylori is known to directly increase epithelial permeability
Metabolic
High blood glucose, diabetes, obesity contribute to disruption on the intestinal epithelial layer
Medications
Antibiotics, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen), antacid, and many other medications
Diet and Food Sensitivity
The food that is processed, loaded with additives and preservatives, genetically modified, overloaded with sugar, and containing gluten and fructan (for gluten-sensitive individuals). Food deficient in nutrients.
Alcohol
Excessive and chronic alcohol consumption
Hormones
Low level of estradiol, testosterone, hypothyroid
Enzymes
Deficiency of carbohydrase including lactase, fructase, sucrase, galactosidase
Stress
Increased level of cortisol, low serotonin, chronic fatigue, depression
In some patients causes may be at work simultaneously
Leaky gut symptoms:
· bloating, gas
· food sensitivities
· cravings for sugar,
· diarrhea or constipation.
On the other hand, often there are no significant abdominal symptoms but the leaky gut is presented with inflammatory conditions such as chronic joint pain, eczema, acne, rashes, eczema, psoriasis and other skin inflammations, muscles aches, brain fog, depression, fatigue.
Disturbed intestinal barrier is associated with various intestinal disorders including celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), IBS, diarrhea, autoimmune diseases and many infectious processes.
Leaky gut and Liver
The integrity of the intestinal barrier is crucial for the maintenance of liver health. The liver acts as a second “firewall” towards potentially harmful substances translocated from the gut. Increased intestinal permeability damage the liver (Balmer et al, 2014).
In healthy individuals, the intestinal microbiota cannot access the liver, spleen, or other peripheral tissues.
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How disturbance of gut microbiota contributes to leaky gut
Our gut contains trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Healthy individual’s microbiota (microbial community) is quite stable over time, but there is variability depending on age diet and other environmental factors.
It was hypothesed that each human disorder had a distinct profile of microbiome (Vayssier-Taussat et al, 2014).
The development and function of the intestinal barrier are dependent on resident microflora. The intestinal epithelial layer is constantly being challenged by the gut microbiota.
In the healthy intestinal tract a balance exists between commensal bacteria and the mucosal layers, and together they contribute to the maintenance of gut health. The risk factors listed above contribute to bacterial and yeast overgrowth, and significantly suppress probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus and BIfidobacillus.
Translocation of a gut pathogens and their products, including toxins to lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, blood and liver trigger an abnormal immune response, causing inflammation and/or tissue damage in extraintestinal organs (ex... skin, liver, brain)
Leaky gut and autoimmunity
Numerous research publications determine leaky gut as a danger signal for autoimmune diseases (Mu et al.2017 Review. Frontiers in Immunology).
The disturbance of gut microbiota is able to initiate multiple gastrointestinal diseases and autoimmune diseases (Ruff and Kriegel MA., 2015). Manfredo Vieira at al. 2018 found that gut pathogenic bacteria can create intestinal barrier defects and leak of gut pathogens, toxins such as LPS and promote autoimmunity.
Autoimmune disorders are characterized by the generation of autoantibodies against self-antigens that attack the body’s own tissues, resulting in damage. Genetic and environmental triggers have been long known as the major contributors to the development of autoimmunity. Increasing evidence in recent years suggests that microbial translocation and intestinal barrier dysfunction, which may be affected by gut microbiota, are another important causative element for autoimmune disorders (Fasano, 2012; Lin et al. 2015).
Key strategies
The therapeutic strategy should address the integrity of the intestinal wall and to promote epithelial layer repair.
Our key strategies are: D.R.R.R -DetermineRemoveRepairRestore that address the gut health and integrity of the intestinal wall.
Determine the root cause of the problem and distinguish between the many variables that impact gut health is the most important first step. While knowing the causing factors we will try to remove it. Step by step we will work on intestinal wall repair.
No two cases of leaky gut, dysbiosis are ever the same. That why generalized protocols are often ineffective, a personalized approach is necessary to manage an issue.
The treatment protocol will be focused on the root cause of leaky gut and how effectively remove it.
The program includes an adjustable diet, mostly low carbohydrates food.
Supplements: digestive enzymes (individually chosen), formulations to repair and support intestinal epithelial layer and probiotics. Large numbers of different probiotics are now in the market. There are probiotics containing multiple Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, probiotics containing spore-producing Bacillus species, probiotics containing yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. Each individual case of intestinal permeability requires certain probiotic.
Special custom protocol will be created based on your uniqueness, and to help your gut be happy again.