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LE Magazine July 1995
An Offshore Solution To Common Medical Problems
Leaky Gut Syndrome
A healthy gastrointestinal tract should:
- Properly digest and absorb food
- Carry vitamins and minerals attached to carrier proteins
across the gut lining into the bloodstream,
- Participate in the continuous detoxification process needed
for optimal health,
- Act as the first line of defense against dangerous bacteria
slipping into the bloodstream.
Leaky gut syndrome occurs when chronic inflammation causes
large spaces to develop between the cells of the gut, allowing
bacteria, toxins, and large particles of food to leak into
the bloodstream.
When these large food particles enter the bloodstream, the
immune system produces an antibody response that causes an
autoimmune reaction against what would otherwise be harmless
foods. This autoimmune response can produce inflammatory reactions
throughout the body that may result in arthritis, asthma,
lupus, and host of other autoimmune diseases.
Once the gut develops these large leaky spaces, toxins that
would not normally penetrate the protective barrier of a healthy
gut overload the liver, causing a systemic toxic effect that
causes unpleasant conditions and degenerative diseases associated
with aging.
Leaky gut syndrome can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Carrier proteins are required to transport nutrients across
the gut membrane and these proteins are damaged by the chronic
inflammatory condition characteristic of this syndrome.
What Causes Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Our modern lifestyles make us all vulnerable to leaky gut
syndrome.
We constantly irritate the lining of our digestive tract
with high intake of sugars, food additives, herbicide-pesticide
residues, alcohol and caffeine, dangerous bacterial strains,
and FDA approved drugs. This constant irritation results in
chronic inflammation of the GI tract that leads to leaky gut
syndrome.
Antibiotics can kill our friendly bacteria causing an over-growth
of fungi, yeast and dangerous bacteria that contribute to
the chronic inflammation that leads to leaky gut syndrome.
A major cause of leaky gut syndrome is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), which are frequently prescribed by American
doctors. These FDA approved drugs inflame the intestinal lining
and cause widening of the spaces between the cells that cause
leaky gut syndrome.
How Leaky Gut Syndrome Causes Disease
Chronic inflammation of the gut prevents proper absorption
of food and nutrients resulting in bloating, gas, and fatigue.
The absorption of large putrid food particles creates autoimmune
responses that can cause arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus and
other autoimmune illnesses.
The continued assault on the body by the leaking of toxins
from the gut into the bloodstream causes additional chemical
sensitivities and resulting autoimmune reactions throughout
the body.
Without an intact digestive tract, infections with parasites,
bacteria, viruses and yeast strains, such as candida, can
become chronic.
Unpleasant symptoms include the development of new allergies,
headaches, lack of energy, intestinal pain, irritable bowel
syndrome with alternative bouts of constipation and diarrhea,
and a loss of mental clarity
Nutrient deficiencies can develop even in those who take
supplements because of impaired assimilation of nutrients
through the intestinal.
The Short-Term Solution
Innovative medical doctors who treat leaky gut syndrome advise
patients to make radical changes in their diet, which involves
avoiding caffeine, alcohol, sugar, food that the person is
allergic to, and chemicals that cause internal damage. However,
it is difficult for people to avoid all the dietary factors
that contribute to leaky gut syndrome.
Getting off nonsteriodal anit-inflammatory drugs is crucial.
Remember, these drugs provide only temporary relief of inflammation
and pain. Long term use can cause permanent gastrointestinal
disorders, severe liver and kidney damage, a worsening of
the chronic inflammatory condition, and eventually, death.
FDA approved nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs kill about
75,000 Americans a year. That's why glucosomine-chondroitin
therapy is used in Europe to treat degenerative-inflammatory
diseases. Interestingly, glucosomine is one of the nutrients
used to treat leaky gut syndrome.
For people with severe overgrowth of yeast fungi, or dangerous
bacteria in the gut, short term antifungal/anti-microbial
therapy may be needed to kill the organisms that have infected
and inflamed the gut.
Digestive enzymes taken before a meal can facilitate the
breaking down of food into smaller particles. Fiber can help
move food and toxins through the digestive tract more efficiently.
Probiotics provide the "good" bacteria (acidophilus and bifidus)
that can improve the health of the intestinal lining.
Nutrients that are beneficial include aloe vera extract,
garlic, bioflavonoids, proanthocyanidins, detox herbs, and
antioxidant supplements.
continuation of this article
The Permanent
Solution
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