Leaky Gut

Our digestive tract starts in our mouth,then goes down the oesophagus,into the stomach,then the small intestines, large intestines and finally, out through the rectum and anus.
From beginning to end it is around 30 feet long - that`s around 9 metres.

It is essentially one long tube that brings the outside world into our body.

Its purpose is:

• Ingestion (foods, beverages, medications)
• Secretion (digestive juices)
• Mixing and movement
• Absorption (nutrients)
• Elimination ​

However, one of its lesser known but vital roles is also:

• Protection.
  

If we were able to digest and absorb everything that went in our mouths then we would be in trouble.   How many small children do we know that swallow marbles,coins etc!  

Not only this, but the digestive tract must try to eliminate bacteria that enter through the mouth and keep unwanted and undigested particles out of our bodies. 

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Absorption

Once the food has passed through the stomach and into the small intestine, it begins to be absorbed.  The lining of the small intestine is covered in villi,small finger-like projections off of its surface.  There are between 6,000 to 25,000 villi per square inch of tissue. 

It is through this amazing carpet of villi that our nutrients pass and head into our bloodstream.  From here,they will head to the liver and sent on to where they are needed, or, sent to the colon or kidneys for excretion.

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The villi are just one cell thick and contain blood capillaries which gather the nutrients and a  lacteal which gathers the fat that is absorbed.

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Along each cell on the villi are further tiny fingerlike projections called microvilli.  
The villi not only absorb nutrients, but also protect the body from absorbing the wrong things.  They also sweep the digested food along down the digestive tract.  In a healthy state, your intestinal wall works as a very selective filter. Effectively, it determines what is, and what is not permitted to pass into the bloodstream.

Leaky gut 

Leaky gut is a common term for intestinal hyperpermeability.  It is a condition where the space between the cells along the villi have started to gape instead of being tightly packed together.  When this happens, the walls that were previously impermeable to pathogens and undigested food starts to become “leaky” and aren't able to keep these undesirable particles out of the rest of the body.

When this happens, the normal function of the gut is disrupted. Material such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and food particles can cross more readily into the blood. From here, the foreign particles are released into tissues throughout the body. Consequently, this triggers inflammation that can appear in many bodily systems that may seem to be far removed from the digestive tract.This is how leaky gut leads to many problems across the whole body and is a frequent causative factor of auto-immune disease.

Problems associated with Leaky Gut

Conditions associated with leaky gut syndrome are wide ranging and numerous. These include:

• Digestive conditions and diseases: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, celiac disease, acid reflux disease (GERD), food sensitivities
• Central nervous system conditions: migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis
• Endocrine (hormonal) conditions: diabetes types I & II, irregular menses, premenstrual syndrome, heavy menses, low libido, erectile dysfunction, suboptimal thyroid function, adrenal fatigue, polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Immune system conditions: autoimmune conditions, multiple food sensitivities, recurrent or chronic infections
• Skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, severe acne, seborrhea, hives
• Musculoskeletal system: rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, muscle pain
• Respiratory system: asthma, chronic congestion
• Cardiovascular diseases and conditions: headache, heart disease, vasculitis, hypertension, pericarditis

So what causes Leaky Gut?  

In a word - Inflammation.  

The spaces in between the cells that line the intestines are normally sealed. These tight junctions are called desmosomes. When the intestinal lining becomes irritated, the junctions loosen. 

Some of the common causes of leaky gut are thought to be:

• Chronic stress (mental,emotional,physical and environmental)
• Intestinal infections
• Small intestine bacterial overgrowth
• Candida
• Parasites
• Consuming substances you are intolerant to
• Environmental contaminants
• Excess alcohol
• Additives and processed foods
• Excess sugar
• Low stomach acid or digestive enzymes
• Deficiencies in vitamin A, D and Zinc
• Microbiome imbalance
• Antibiotics, steroids, PPIs and other medications
• NSAIDS 
• Environmental pesticides, BPA and moulds

 
 
 
Common symptoms of leaky gut

You may also suffer with 

• Fatigue    
• Sleep Disturbances
• Mood Swings
• Memory Difficulties             
• Irritability                                  
• Lower back pain    
• Muscle or joint pain            
• Environmental sensitivity

Supporting Leaky Gut


Supporting leaky gut is not a quick fix.  It takes time and effort and a complete change in lifestyle. We work with the 5 R`s principle when working with leaky gut:

1. Remove

All offending foods, refined carbohydrates, sugars, toxins, bad fats, caffeine, alcohol must be removed from the diet, along with any unnecessary medications.

1. Replace

If you are low in digestive secretions, these should be supported to aid digestion and absorption of nutrients. Dietary fibre and water should be increased and any areas of nutrient deficiencies should be worked on.

1. Reinoculate

This involves replacing the beneficial bacteria that may be low in numbers by using the right probiotic and prebiotics

1. Repair

The integrity of the gut wall will be supported in order for the body to heal itself.

1. Re-balance

This involves assessing your lifestyle so that you can care for your body holistically to prevent this happening again. It will also help your healing.  Factors such as sleep, emotional support, mental health, rest and relaxation habits should be examined.


In Summary
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• Leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, is a condition in which bacteria and toxins are able to pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.
• Leaky gut syndrome is present in several autoimmune disorders and chronic health conditions.
• To decrease your risk of leaky gut syndrome, focus on improving your gut health by eating a healthy diet and limiting your use of harmful medication