LEAKY GUT AND THE CONNECTION TO AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

Leaky Gut is a term first coined by non-traditional medicine years ago and it was not until late 2014 that traditional medicine started recognizing it as a real problem.

Basically, Leaky Gut exists when the lining cells of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) separate allowing the content of the GI system to enter the body between the separated cells.  Once these digested particles get between the cells and into the body they are recognized as foreign and are attacked by natural killer white blood cells and antibodies.  Once this occurs, the intestinal tract becomes microscopically inflamed and can result in malabsorption and nutrition deficiency. it has now been linked to over 140 autoimmune conditions. Gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation or abdominal discomfort may be the first clue that something is wrong with the digestive tract, but did you know allergies or even lack of energy and fatigue can often be traced to digestive problems as well? These people frequently have positive allergy tests to many foods.

 

Common Causes of Leaky GutCommon Causes of Leaky Gut

 

1. Medications (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen and Motrin

2. Microbial overgrowth or infection

3. Parasite infections

4. Fungal overgrowth (Candida)

5. Ingestion of allergenic foods

6. Maldigestion/malabsorption (pancreatic insufficiency or low HCl)

7. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy

8. Stress

9. Aging

10. IgA deficiency

11. Chronic alcohol intake

12. Excessive or strenuous exercise

13. Inflammatory bowel disease – Crohn’s or Ulcerative colitis

 

“Leaky Gut” is seen in disorders such as:

lupus, alopecia areata, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, vitiligo, thyroiditis, vasculitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, urticaria (hives), type 1 diabetes and Raynaud’s syndrome.

 

Correction of this problem utilizes a multiple protocol approach such as 5R program.  Often non-traditional FDA approved testing is utilized to help identify and to direct treatment.  Leaky Gut is often treatable and the underlying problem can be addressed, often autoimmune diseases can be reversed.