INCREASED INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY OR LEAKY GUT SYNDROME

LEAKY GUT SYNDROME

LGS is a condition referring to an altered or damaged bowel lining.

Increased permeability of the gut wall results from Toxins, Poor diet, Parasites, Infections or Medications.

LGS is the result of damage to the intestinal lining, making it less able to protect the internal environment as well as filter needed nutrients and other biological substances.

Therefore some bacteria and their toxins, incompletely digested proteins and fats, and waste not normally absorbed may "LEAK" out of the intestines into the blood stream.

This triggers an autoimmune reaction, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems.

                                                                    Such as     Abdominal bloating

                                                                                      Excessive gas and cramps

                                                                                      Fatigue

                                                                                      Food sensitivities

                                                                                      Joint pain

                                                                                      Skin rashes

                                                                                      Autoimmunity

WHAT HAPPENS TO FOOD AFTER IT IS            SWALLOWED 

The digestive tract is a long tube connecting the mouth to the anus.

After food is swallowed it passes through the esophagus to the stomach where it is churned up with acid and stomach enzymes into small particles.

This then passes into the small intestine, approx 6m in length.
The small intestine has two main functions.
Main one being     digest and absorb nutrients from the food particles arriving from the stomach.
Another vital function    is to act as a barrier to prevent the REABSORPTION into the blood circulation of toxins, microbes and macromolecules

When large food molecules, endotoxins and xenobiotics can pass straight into the bloodstream where they are presented to the liver for detoxification the digestive tract becomes inflamed and you develop what is called LEAKY GUT SYNDROME.

They should not be in the blood  -  so the immune system reacts to them.
Immune complexes are formed and these complexes travel to the liver where they are broken down. 
This places an enormous burden on the liver stressing its detoxification capabilities. As a result these substances may be partially processed and accumulate in the liver and fatty tissue.


CAUSES OF LGS  

Some of the most common causes of LGS are  :  
                            Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) usage,
                            intestinal infection,   

                            dysbiosis,
                            parasites,
                            maldigestion,
                            deficient immunoglobins,
                            ingestion of allergenic foods,
                            alcoholism,
                            ingestion of toxic chemicals,
                            high sugar diets,
                            antibiotic use,
                            oral contraceptive pill use,
                            trauma,
                            endotoxemia.

Identifying the cause is an important first step in reversing altered permeability.


CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERED INTESTINAL PERMEABILTY

Inflammatory bowel disease
Malnutrition - Malabsorption
Accelerated ageing
Crohns disease
Intestinal infections
Ulcerative colitis
Endotoxemia
Irritable bowel syndrome
NSAID enteropathy
Celiac disease
Inflammatory joint disease
Giardiasis
Food allergy
Alcoholism


HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE GUT WALL

Maintain a healthy population of microorganisms in your bowel.

It is important to be aware that your bowels may be harbouring large populations of unfriendly microorganisms such as fungi  (yeasts such as Candida albicans), bacteria, viruses and parasites.
The term parasite is used to describe a wide variety of creatures that vary in complexity from single celled organisms to worms.  Parasites such as Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis hominis and Cryptosporidium, these can be extremely difficult to detect with routine stool analysis and cultures. Often these can only be detected after inducing mild diarrhea.


TO REDUCE BOWEL INFECTIONS WITH UNFRIENDLY BACTERIA, PARASITES AND YEASTS

-      Follow a gluten and dairy free diet
-      Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates,
-      Avoid preserved foods, especially meats (pizza meats, corned beef, ham, devon, bacon,
        sausage, smoked meat and fish etc)
-      Avoid long term use of antibiotics and steriod drugs
-      Avoid mouldy or pickled foods.
-      Eat lots of fibre.  From raw vegetables, fruits, whole grains, ground seeds and legumes,
        raw or slightly cooked sweet corn.
-      Follow good hygiene practices.
-      Natural antibiotics to kill intestinal yeasts, bacteria and parasites.  Such as cabbage juice,       
        cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli, raw garlic, onions, leeks, radishes,
        fenugreek,  ginger, hot chilli, lemon juice, turmeric, mustard and rosemary.
-      Drink lots of water

The most powerful natural antibiotic is RAW GARLIC.  If you can mange to eat 4 to 6 cloves every day for 4 weeks.
Raw onions and leeks are also good natural antibiotics.

Lactobacillius acidophilus or unflavoured soy yoghurt fights the bad bacteria and helps maintain ecological balance. It is particularly good after taking antibiotics.

Herbs used to destroy and espel worms from the body are black walnut hulls, chaparral, cloves, liquorice, gentian and wormwood.