By Christine Bowen / Special to The Herald
Our intestinal lining serves some important functions, such as providing a barrier that protects our bloodstream from toxins and microbes, and breaking down food into easily absorbable nutrients. The gut and its lining also are where 70% of the body’s total immune system lives.
The intestinal cells are tightly bound together by proteins that act like a glue preventing anything in the gut from “leaking” into the bloodstream. When the intestinal lining is compromised, it can lead to these glue-like proteins breaking down, which can then allow often-toxic microscopic particles to “leak” into the bloodstream. This occurrence is referred to as “leaky gut.” The more scientific name is”intestinal permeability.”
What are the symptoms of leaky gut?
Because of the ability for toxins to enter the bloodstream, symptoms of leaky gut can extend well beyond the digestive tract.
Digestive symptoms: gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation
Mood imbalances: 90% of the serotonin in our bodies is produced in our intestines. If the gut is out of balance, it can really impact our ability to make normal amounts of mood hormones like serotonin.
Food intolerances: Especially if your food intolerances seem to be increasing over time, this is a sign that leaky gut is likely present and getting worse.
Hormone imbalances: The ability to make healthy hormones can depend on having the building blocks absorbed from our food. There are also hormone receptors in the gut.
Autoimmune conditions: If leaky gut is allowed to continue, it can create immune compromise that allows autoimmune conditions to start or worsen. The immune system can turn on itself when leaky gut is occurring and resolving leaky gut can help with reducing or eliminating autoimmunity.
Chronic pain and inflammation: Inflammation and damage to the lining of our intestines can increase the likelihood of more inflammation and pain in the rest of our body. Conditions like fibromyalgia, likely have an autoimmune cause and can be very common in people with leaky gut syndrome.
Fatigue and chronic fatigue: When people are experiencing leaky gut, the blood stream can be inundated with waste products from the leaky intestinal membrane. This can mean that in addition to absorbing things our body shouldn’t absorb, that it might not be able to absorb all of the normal, needed nutrients.
Skin issues such as rashes: The gut is basically our inside skin and our skin is like our outside gut. When something is going wrong in the digestive tract, it is very common to have conditions crop up on the skin. Skin rashes, acne or other irritations can be signs that you are dealing with a leaky gut.
Asthma and allergies: When the immune system of the digestive tract is compromised, the immune system of our whole body can be ramped up and irritated. Conditions such as increased asthma and other allergy symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, etc…)
Yeast infections (vaginal, nails, skin): Yeast, also known as candida, can cause skin rashes like athlete’s foot, nail infections, digestive tract yeast overgrowth and vaginal yeast infections Having a compromised immune system of your gut can lead to a tougher time fighting these infections, and yeast also can be a major contributor to leaky gut.
What causes leaky gut?
Food reactions: Food that creates immune system reactions can wear away at the gut defenses.
Gut infections and overgrowths: Gut and other types of infections and microbe overgrowth can harm gut immune health and can even trigger autoimmune conditions (when the immune system is attacking our own tissues).
Dysbiosis: An imbalance of good and bad gut microbes is called dysbiosis.
Stress: In addition to being disruptive in so many other ways, stress responses weaken our immune system. This can make us more vulnerable to infections and leaky gut.
Medications: Medications such as antibiotics, birth control pills and chemotherapy medications can disrupt normal digestive function and increase the risk of leaky gut.
Toxic exposures: Chemical exposures, exposures to mold and water damaged buildings can all contribute to burdening the immune system and weakening our defenses. If you have had toxic exposures, you should definitely consult with naturopathic doctors or other environmental medicine specialists.
Testing
Most of these tests are not typically ordered by a conventional medical doctor. Working with holistic health specialists like naturopathic doctors is a great way to get the testing you need to identify what needs to be addressed to help you heal from a leaky gut.
Stool test for zonulin: A test for this protein can help to detect the amount of leaky gut that is present.
Three-day stool test: This test checks for inflammation, infections and overgrowths in the gut. Identifying and treating these infections and overgrowths can reduce their impact on the gut lining.
SIBO breath testing: Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can increase the permeability of the gut. Testing for and treating this condition can be really important in leaky gut recovery.
Blood tests for food allergies and food sensitivities: These tests can identify food allergies or sensitivities, and when these foods are removed from the diet, the gut is less inflamed.
Urine test using lactulose and mannitol: This test uses the fact that the body is usually not able to absorb these two substances but in the case of leaky gut, the body can absorb these nutrients and the amount found in the urine can tell us if we have a permeable or leaky intestine or not.
Interventions
• Identify and remove food triggers
• Test for and treat acute and chronic infections, overgrowths and dysbiosis
• When possible, remove medications that may be injuring your gut
• Keep stress levels low by exploring help such as talk therapy or relaxation techniques.
• Treat for toxic exposures and work to avoid them whenever possible
• Repair the intestinal lining with treatments like probiotics, glutamine, zinc carnosine and herbs and nutrients that help the gut heal. Best to work with a provider on the right approach for you!
When the barrier of our healthy gut lining breaks down, our immune systems can become vulnerable, and if leaky gut is not adequately addressed, it can lead to the start of systemic inflammation or even autoimmune conditions. If you suspect that you have a leaky gut, please consider working with a skilled holistic practitioner who can guide you through these tests and treatments as appropriate for your unique health needs.
Dr. Christine Bowen of Everett is a licensed naturopathic doctor, keynote speaker and has been published in the Townsend Letter. In practice since 2005, Bowen specializes in holistic approaches for digestive health and autoimmunity. Go to www.bothellnaturalhealth.com for more information. Connect with her via Facebook, drchristinebowen, or Instagram, @drchristinebowen.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
