Of interest is an item with clinical interest, which is being well researched and quite often avoided and can have far reaching effects on the health of the child long into adulthood.

Have you heard of Gastro intestinal Mucosal Immunity, more commonly referred to as Leaky Gut Syndrome?  This is an area which remains still scientifically unsettled, however there are clinicians who have done a fair bit of research into this subject.

Leaky Gut Syndrome, it’s Effects, and How to Avoid Developing a Leaky Gut Starting from Infancy

Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) occurs when the wall of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) is damaged. Leaky Gut Syndrome is also called Intestinal Hyperpermeability or Intestinal Permeability (means allowing fluids or gases to pass).

Some of this research was conducted by Aristo Vojdani, PhD, is a research scientist and immunologist and professor of Immunology and Microbiology, Bar Ilan University, Israel, who completed his post-graduate work at Tel Aviv University Medical Center and the University of California Hospital, Los Angeles. Currently Dr. Vojdani is an Associate Professor at Charles Drew School of Medicine.

A healthy intestinal wall allows only small micro-nutrients which have been properly broken down to amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, and water, and to pass into the bloodstream. When the intestinal wall is damaged, larger particles such as incompletely digested fats, larger proteins and toxins may seep through, as well.

The body then recognizes these improperly absorbed substances as foreign and forms antibodies, which is why it is believed that some persons suddenly become sensitive to foods they’ve always eaten before without any reaction.

A strong intestinal mucosal lining helps one stay healthy their whole life. When individuals are born, the intestinal barrier is not fully developed. It does not mature into a fully functioning barrier and immune system until after the age of two. This immature lining is more likely to let harmful particles out of the intestines into the bloodstream in infants and young children, the theory being – causing allergies and other autoimmune problems.

This condition is seldom identified. Leaky gut syndrome results from an overly-permeable intestinal lining with spaces between the cells of the gut wall. These spaces allow irritants (bacteria, toxins, yeasts, and incompletely digested small food) to leak into the body where they don’t belong, placing an additional strain on the immune and detoxification systems.

Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals are common in persons with Leaky Gut Syndrome because, they lack cells to move minerals and vitamins from the gut to the blood.

Effects of Leaky Gut Syndrome

As previously mentioned, normally, the lining of the small and large intestines provides a partial permeable barrier which prevents toxins, large molecules of food, bacteria and yeasts from passing through the barrier and entering the bloodstream where they can cause health problems. This lining has 3 extremely important jobs to do:

1. It absorbs and transports nutrients from our food across the intestinal wall.

2. It provides a protective barrier and prevents toxins, bacteria, yeasts, viruses and inappropriate food molecules

from passing into the bloodstream.

3. It is an important part of our immune system. It fights off negative bacteria and viruses before they can invade our body and make us sick. The intestinal lining is supposed to have small spaces or “junctions” between the cells. These spaces can open and close, allowing larger or smaller molecules to pass.

However, when these spaces become destroyed by inflammation, for one, the spaces become too large. This allows toxins and large particles to “leak” from the intestines into the bloodstream. Once the intestinal lining becomes too permeable, it affects all 3 of the jobs it is supposed to do with harmful results:

1. The body loses its ability to absorb nutrients properly leading to malnutrition and mineral deficiencies such as magnesium and copper deficiency.

2. Toxins, negative bacteria, yeasts, and large protein molecules enter the bloodstream and cause the body to attack them as “foreign invaders,” setting off a series of autoimmune problems.

3. The gut immune system is no longer able to protect the body from negative bacteria and viruses. Another result of a damaged gut lining is that the pathways in the gut which are supposed to detoxify the body become submissive and fail to detoxify the many chemicals we are exposed to every day. The liver then becomes overburdened, and it, too, is then unable to detoxify the chemicals and eliminate them safely from our bodies.

Eventually, the individual could develop Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and become ill around even minute amounts of the chemicals of every day, modern life: Fragrances, cleaning fluids, building materials, car interiors, etc.

Building a Strong Intestinal Barrier Early on in Life

A strong intestinal mucosal lining helps one stay healthy their whole life. When individuals are born, the intestinal barrier is not fully developed. It does not mature into a fully functioning barrier and immune system until after two years of age.

This immature lining is more likely to let harmful particles out of the intestines into the bloodstream in infants and young children, causing allergies and other autoimmune problems.

It is recommended that allergenic foods such as cows’ milk, chicken, eggs, peanuts, soybeans and fish should be avoided until the intestinal barrier matures. Caution should also be used in giving NSAIDs (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as aspirin or ibuprofen) to infants and young children.

If the mother is still breast feeding and the child is given antibiotics, the mother may want to take supplemental probiotics which beneficially affect by improving intestinal microbial balance that will pass through the breast milk and help restore good bacteria killed off by the antibiotics.

Signs of Leaky Gut Syndrome

According to an article by Dr. Leo Galland, director of the Foundation for Integrated Medicine, several conditions are suspected to be associated with Leaky Gut Syndrome including:

Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Food allergies, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Migraines, Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, Hives, Celiac disease, Candida albicans overgrowth, Multiple food and chemical sensitivities, Abdominal pain & inflation, Diarrhoea, Skin rashes, inflammatory bowel disease, Acne, eczema, psoriasis, Irritable bowel syndrome, and Chronic arthritis/pain.

Symptoms Associated With Leaky Gut Syndrome

Fatigue and discomfort, sharp pain in a joint or joints, nonspecific muscular pain or tenderness, fevers of unknown origin, food intolerances, abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, diarrhoea, skin rashes, toxic feelings, cognitive and memory problems, Low exercise tolerance and shortness of breath.

Other general symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome may be: chronic pain, fatigue and weakness, chronic sinusitis, and Eczema.

The Antibiotics/Candida Connection to Leaky Gut Syndrome

The small and large intestine normally should have billions and billions of cells of several hundred kinds of friendly bacteria. Through their natural enzyme secretions, friendly bacteria break up viral toxins, bile, pus, chemical wastes, hormones, cellular debris, negative bacteria and other harmful substances before they can cause damage.

For example, when bile flows into the small intestine it is an extremely acidly substance. It is the job of friendly bacteria to break up the bile into a less caustic material before it goes into the large intestine. Without the help friendly bacteria to prevent this, burning bile enters the large intestine where it can destroy and damage the lining.

Antibiotics, though necessary at times, may damage the intestinal lining is by allowing the overgrowth of Candida albicans, negative bacteria and other yeasts. When the lining of the intestinal tract is populated by its normal friendly bacteria, Candida and negative bacteria may be present in small amounts, but have no place to grow.

However, when antibiotics destroy the friendly bacteria, the antibiotic resistant Candida and antibiotic resistant bacteria take over the intestinal lining. In addition, Candida releases a chemical called “aldehyde,” a form of highly reactive organic compound obtained by the dissolving of certain alcohol’s, it causes the cells in the intestinal lining to shrink and opens up the spaces between the cells resulting in the classical leaky gut.

Toxins and negative bacteria can now invade the bloodstream and dwell in other areas of the body. In addition, the immune barrier in the mucosal lining eventually becomes overwhelmed by the Candida and no longer functions properly to protect the body.

Some experts estimate that over 80% of your immune producing cells are in the lining of your small intestine. If that lining is damaged, the body is losing most of its immune function. They agree that it is extremely important that a patient only take antibiotics when it is appropriate and necessary and that probiotic therapy accompany any treatment with antibiotics.

Probiotics are helpful in improving intestinal balance by combating disease causing bacteria. The supplements should be taken during the course of antibiotics and then afterwards for at least 3 months.

Repairing a Leaky Gut

• Supplement Probiotics/Friendly Bacteria.

All of the experts agree that a complete course of high-quality probiotics is necessary to repopulate the intestinal tract and allow the intestinal lining to repair itself. Yoghurt is a good natural source of friendly bacteria, but it usually contains only 2 or 3 strains of bacteria and commercial yogurt will probably not have the potency necessary to repopulate the intestinal tract.

Probiotics provide a good pH level for the gut to work properly, crowd out pathogenic organisms which harm the intestinal lining, kill off negative bacteria and yeasts that may be harmful to the intestinal lining and promote proper immune secretions, supporting the gut immune system. They also break down harmful viruses and acidly bile that can damage the intestinal lining. Signs and symptoms of a lack of friendly bacteria and resulting leaky gut may be arthritis, eczema, migraine, asthma or other forms of immune dysfunction. Other common symptoms of bowel flora imbalance and leaky gut syndrome are bloating and gas after meals and alternating constipation and diarrhea.

• Eat an Allergy Elimination Diet With High Nutritional Content.

In order to heal the intestinal lining, exposure to food that stimulates an allergic reaction must be avoided.

Research studies have shown that children and adults with eczema, hives or asthma triggered by hypersensitivity to food allergies have higher gut permeability.

Permeability increases dramatically after exposure to allergenic foods. Allegery elimination diets may help them determine the foods to which they are allergic.

Unfortunately, for many people with leaky gut, distinguishing between allergenic and non-allergenic foods becomes difficult when the body is in a constant state of inflammation. Some health practitioners recommend going off all grains, soy, peanuts, chicken, and eggs, chocolate and dairy for 3 weeks. These are the most common allergenic foods. Each food would then be reintroduced one at a time to see how the body reacts. If there is bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, pains, inflammation or a recurrence of other symptoms, then the food can be removed from the diet during the treatment period.

Why is Candida Bad?

Candida converts sugars into ethanol (alcohol). This is another reason to eliminate sugars and starches from the diet when there is a Candida overgrowth. Too much unused alcohol turns into acetaldehyde (a colourless explosive water-soluble liquid that can cause irritation to mucous membranes) this further causes the spaces to be too large in the intestinal lining.

• Treat Harmful Bacteria, Candida and Parasites.

One of the most common and most well-known negative bacteria is the Helicobacter pylori infection which causes ulcers and damages the mucosal linings. This is often treated with a strong course of antibiotics. Restoring a natural balance of Candida in the gut can be very challenging. Authorities in this area usually recommend taking large doses of probiotics, eliminating sugar and starches from the diet that feed the fungus, and taking antifungal herbs and supplements such as olive leaf extract, oregano or grapefruit seed extract.

Because it may be possible for Candida to adapt to antifungals and become resistant to them, varying the dosage of probiotics from high to low dosage is suggested by many practitioners.

When Candida begins to die off, it releases ammonia and other harmful chemicals. If there is also a condition of leaky gut, these may be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause worse feelings of pain, headaches, nausea, bowel changes and fatigue. This is often called “the die-off” effect. It is a delicate balancing act in restoring a healthy intestinal lining while killing off toxic substances in the gut. Hydrogenated fats are also considered to be a problem with Candida and leaky gut.

With intestinal hyperpermeability (a leaky gut), if a patient stays on an appropriate diet, recovery may be possible as the intestinal lining replaces itself regulary. However, some patients with weakened resources may need a long time to gain recovery.

Because Leaky Gut Syndrome cannot be treated with prescription medications, and many physicians are not trained in the following therapies, it may be necessary to consider alternatives.

Patients with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and severe intestinal permeability may not be able to tolerate all of the supplement and herbal therapies because they may “leak” into the bloodstream causing sensitivities and reactions, similar to food allergies. Various supportive therapies to support the intestinal lining may have to be tried at low doses to determine the best treatment.

I hope you find this informative as an addition to your database of literature.  Below is a link back to our website, and at the bottom, following the article are two other links to a couple of other articles I’ve written for purely educational purposes.*

Sincerely,

–

Leah Remeika-Dugan, BSc, DC, MCC, IDE, Doctor of Chiropractic

Registered Chiropractor UK, Licensed Chiropractic Physician USA,
Industrial Disability Examiner
www.coolgreenplanet.co.uk

We’re Serving Up Great Chiropractic Care … Naturally!

*References taken from Foundation for Integrated Medicine, Leo Galland, MD

1. Crissinger, K.D., P.R. Kvietys, and D.N. Granger, Pathophysiology of gastrointestinal mucosal permeability. J Intern Med Suppl, 1990. 732: p. 145-54.

2. Anderson, K.E., Dietary Regulation of Cytochrome P450. Ann. Rev. Nutr., 1991. 11: p. 141-167.

3. Braganza, J.M., Pancreatic disease: a casualty of hepatic “detoxification”?Lancet, 1983. ii: p. 1000-1002.

4. Deitch, E.A., The role of intestinal barrier failure and bacterial translocation in the development of systemic infection and multiple organ failure. Arch. Surgery, 1990. 125: p. 403-404.

5. Hazenberg, M.P., et al., Are intestinal bacteria involved in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis? Review article. Apmis, 1992. 100(1): p. 1-9.

6. Peters, T.J. and I. Bjarnason, Uses and abuses of intestinal permeability measurements. Can. J. Gastroenterol., 1988. 2: p. 127-132.

7. Rooney, P.J., R.T. Jenkins, and W.W. Buchanan, A short review of the relationship between intestinal permeability and inflammatory joint disease. Clin Exp Rheumatol, 1990. 8(1): p. 75-83.

8. Walker, W.A., Antigen absorption from the small intestine and gastrointestinal disease. Pediatr Clin North Am, 1975. 22(4): p. 731-46.

9. Bloembergen, P., et al., Endotoxin-induced auto-immunity in mice. I. Time and dose dependence of production and serum levels of antibodies against bromelain-treated mouse erythrocytes and circulating immune complexes. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1987. 84(3): p. 291-7.

10. Pearson, A.D., et al., Intestinal permeability in children with Crohn’s disease and coeliac disease. Br Med J, 1982. 285(6334): p. 20-1.

11. Pironi, L., et al., Relationship between intestinal permeability to [51Cr]EDTA and inflammatory activity in asymptomatic patients with Crohn’s disease. Dig Dis Sci, 1990. 35(5): p. 582-8.

12. Munkholm, P., et al., Intestinal permeability in patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and their first degree relatives. Gut, 1994.35(1): p. 68-72.

13. Hollander, D., et al., Increased intestinal permeability in patients with Crohn’s disease and their relatives. A possible etiologic factor. Ann Intern Med, 1986. 105(6): p. 883-5.

14. Teahon, K., et al., Intestinal permeability in patients with Crohn’s disease and their first degree relatives. Gut, 1992. 33(3): p. 320-3.

15. Jenkins, R.T., et al., Increased intestinal permeability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a side-effect of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy? Br J Rheumatol, 1987.26(2): p. 103-7.

16. Mielants, H., Reflections on the link between intestinal permeability and inflammatory joint disease [letter; comment].Clin Exp Rheumatol, 1990.8(5): p. 523-4.

17. Smith, M.D., R.A. Gibson, and P.M. Brooks, Abnormal bowel permeability in ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol, 1985.12(2): p. 299-305.

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Links back to Leah Remeika-Dugan, Doctor of Chiropractic, Registered Chiropractor, Cool Green Planet Chiropractic Cafe Bristol