Leaky Gut

A single row of enterocytes (the intestinal cells) cover the inner surface of the intestines. Fluids and nutrients in the intestine are absorbed by the finger-like protrusions (called villi-microvilli) of these cells. There are tight junctions between these intestinal cells to prevent the toxins, bacteria, and undigested nutrients in the intestine from passing into the blood. When these tight junctions and/or intestinal cells are damaged, all the intestinal contents (digested-undigested, toxic-nontoxic, nutritious-innutritious etc.) pass through the intestinal barrier and enter the blood stream. This is called increased intestinal permeability or the leaky gut.

The molecule that regulates the tight junctions is called zonulin. Excess intraintestinal zonulin leads to tight junction opening and intestinal permeability. One of the main factors that cause zonulin levels to rise and cause tight junction opening is the gliadin peptide in the gluten protein. Excess gluten intake leads to increased permeability in the intestine in everybody. But in celiac and non celiac gluten sensitivity patients the effect lasts longer, and damage occurs in celiac patients. Dr Alessandro Fasano and colleagues have shown that zonulin dysfunction plays an important role in the development of celiac disease and Type I diabetes.

Increased intestinal permeability contributes to the etiology or progression of:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Food intolerances
• Autoimmune diseases
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Depression
• Hashimoto thyroiditis
• Metabolic syndrome
• When the gut starts to leak, bacteria and other molecules leak alongside the nutrients.

Bacterial cell walls contain a substance called lipopolysaccharide (also called an endotoxin). This substance causes no harm when contained in the intestines. However, once in the blood stream it gets into contact with the immune system, causing tissue inflammation. This inflammation is thought to contribute to or worsen:

• Depression
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Metabolic syndrome aggravation
• Migraine aggravation
• Increase in fibromyalgia pain

Commonly conducted nutritional intolerance tests measure the immune response in the form of IgG to various food molecules that are in the blood stream due to increased intestinal permeability. So the lab results are a mirror of what you eat and drink. The intolerance test is not an allergy test, it shows that you have increased intestinal permeability and that your body reacts to certain foods. Patients who stop consuming foods that were positive in the IgG test show a significant decrease in the severity and frequency of migraine and fibromyalgia pain.

To heal increased intestinal permeability:

• Fix your gut bacteria (your microbiome)
  • Use prebiotic and probiotic supplements
  • Consume fiber
  • Consume yoghurt, kefir, kombucha tea, fermented pickles, fermented food
• Do not consume gluten containing foods/beverages
• Do not consume refined foods
• Do not use sugar
• Do not consume processed, packaged products
• Do not consume processed meat
• Do not consume excessive amounts of saturated fat
• Do not consume alcohol
• Do not smoke
• Limit caffeine consumption
• Do not eat often/try intermittent fasting (give your digestive system a rest)
• Drink bone broth /bone broth soup
• Drink plenty of water between meals
• Do not use pain relievers frequently (non steroid anti-inflammatories)
• Do not exercise excessively for long periods
• Watch your sleep
• Learn to cope with stress
  • Take yoga classes
  • Learn how to meditate
  • Seek professional psychological help