What is Leaky Gut?
Your “gut”, or intestines, are a twisting and winding tube that covers more than 4,000 square feet of surface area inside your abdomen. Your intestines are covered with a thin layer of epithelial cells that are linked together by proteins called tight junctions. This epithelial lining acts like a filter allowing nutrients to pass from the intestine into the blood stream. It also acts like a barrier; preventing harmful substances or large particles from passing through as well. Our digestive tract is constantly being bombarded with toxins and foreign pathogens through the food we eat and environmental factors which can impact the gut lining. If the tight junctions become compromised, tiny particles that were never meant to enter your bloodstream, are able to pass through. This is known as “leaky gut syndrome” or “increased intestinal permeability.” According to research “leaky gut” is present in most chronic diseases including depression, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
So...Why does this matter?
When foreign substances enter the blood stream, they create a low level of inflammation in the body. Due to this inflammation, your immune system begins to over-react, in an attempt to address the perceived threat from these substances. The damage to your intestinal lining impairs your ability to properly digest food and causes a shift in the balance of your good and bad bacteria in the gut; resulting in dysbiosis. Dysbiosis triggers the immune system even further and a vicious cycle of inflammation, increased dysbiosis and immune dysfunction ensues leaving you more susceptible to chronic infections.
Factors That Contribute to Leaky Gut:
Diet full of processed foods, GMOs, dairy and Gluten
Stress; stress hormones weaken and damage the gut lining. The body functions best in “rest and digest” mode; but unfortunately, many of us are stuck in “fight or flight mode”
Environmental toxins and mold cause inflammation in the gut and damage to epithelial lining
Overconsumption of alcohol
Antibiotic use
So...Can We Heal Leaky Gut....YES!!
First, we need to test. Functional GI testing looks for bacteria, viruses, parasites, and yeast, and provides a full panel of markers assessing your intestinal health/intestinal permeability. We use this information to formulate a customized gut healing protocol tailored to your unique needs. Testing gives us specific information about what is going on in your gut and how we need to address it. Below is a gist of how this protocol is carried out.
5R protocol for gut healing
REMOVE - In this stage we remove the offending agents; foods and bad bugs (infections) while using a course of antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-fungal and/or anti parasitic therapies based on your results. It’s also important to remove triggering foods that may be contributing to your digestive imbalance and inflammation.
REPLACE - This stage helps with maldigestion and malabsorption issues. We need to restore proper food breakdown by supplementing with digestive enzymes and other digestive compounds.
REPOPULATE -As we remove the "bad bugs", we will also be introducing healthy, beneficial bacteria that are needed to create the proper microbial balance by adding probiotics and fiber.
REPAIR - Once we have done a cycle of the above, we will continue supporting your gut health by "healing and sealing" the gut lining which includes giving support to healthy mucosal cells, as well as immune support. Healing the Gut Lining + Decreasing Inflammation
REBALANCE - (ongoing) By addressing whole-body health and lifestyle factors, we will help prevent future digestive dysfunction. Mind-Body Health includes decreasing stress; don’t rush through meals, slow down, meditate, increase parasympathetic response, stimulate the vagus nerve. We cannot heal if we are not in a relaxed state. Stress changes gut permeability.
While the health of the gut and microbiome are still not fully understood, research has proven that it significantly impacts immune function, mental health, and the overall health of the body. Your gut does more than just digest your food. Eating a healthy diet, eliminating processed foods/gluten, managing stress, and reducing your overall toxic burden are all ways you can start to support the health of your gut today.
Resources
Immunity in the Gut | British Society for Immunology
The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity (nih.gov)
Leaky gut: What is it, and what does it mean for you? - Harvard Health Blog -
Harvard Health Publishing
Regulation of Tight Junction Permeability by Intestinal Bacteria and Dietary
Components | The Journal of Nutrition | Oxford Academic (oup.com)