Could Leaky Gut Be Causing Your Immune Symptoms?

So what exactly is leaky gut, and how does it happen?

It’s up to the lining of your intestine to block large particles of food that are not digested yet. At the same time your intestine needs to be able to let the broken down nutrients into your blood so that they can be carried off for use all over your body. These cells lining your intestines have to stay tightly linked together until those fully broken down nutrients are ready to be absorbed.
With leaky gut syndrome, the cells start to lose their ability to stay tightly closed. They start to open too frequently, too early, or at the wrong time - and because of that, larger molecules of partially-digested food can get into the blood. When the immune system sees these large molecules, it can go into a state of hyper-reactivity, resulting in symptoms such as asthma, food and seasonal allergies, eczema, psoriasis, and even mood disorders like anxiety and depression.This extra permeable gut lining is what we call “leaky gut.”
When undigested food Is Absorbed

If this hyper-reactivity of the immune system goes on long enough, it can put you at risk for the development of autoimmune diseases, where the immune system starts to attack your own tissues. Examples of common autoimmune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (hypothyroid), Graves’ disease (hyperthyroid), lupus, and multiple sclerosis.
What causes Leaky gut?
- Food Allergies. Another way leaky gut syndrome can be triggered is by eating foods that are irritants to your gut lining. If you are allergic to certain foods - common allergies include gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, etc - eating these foods can cause chronic inflammation in the cells lining the gut, leading to further inability to regulate the absorption of nutrients. There is even a protein in wheat called zonulin that acts as a trigger to the “gatekeepers” that open up the gaps between gut cells, leading to more food leaking out before it’s fully digested. Because of zonulin, eating wheat can trigger a leaky-gut like reaction in any person, not just those who are sensitive to wheat and gluten.
- Medications. Certain medications, especially steroids, NSAIDS such as ibuprofen and Advil, and certain anti-cancer agents can cause increased intestinal permeability.
So how do we fix leaky gut?

- Diet. A diet high in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and low in inflammatory oils and grains is often an important first step in healing an irritated gut lining. Identifying food allergies and sensitivities can further reduce inflammation and aid in healing.
- Herbs and Supplements. Several herbs and supplements, such as fish oil and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) are beneficial for leaky gut either because of their anti-inflammatory properties or their ability to coat and nourish the gut lining. Herbs and supplements should be used under the care of a qualified holistic doctor or herbalist.
- Balancing Gut Flora. Identifying and treating any bacterial imbalances or gut infections is usually an important aspect to healing leaky gut. A stool test that looks for bacteria, yeast, and parasites can be a helpful tool in finding out what's happening in the microbiome. If any harmful microbes are detected, a stool test that includes "a culture and sensitivity" can help your doctor identify the herbs and medications that may help you get rid of the infection.
While dealing with the symptoms of leaky gut can be a frustrating experience, following these simple guidelines and adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can make huge differences in both your current symptoms and your lifelong health. As always, you should see a qualified specialist for help and guidance when dealing with any significant health concern.
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