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LEAKY GUT SYNDROME


Written by Dr. Cecilia Yee

     Leaky gut syndrome (LGS) is a serious but underdiagnosed disorder in which the intestinal wall suffers from increased permeability and leakage. It is characterized by large spaces that develop in the lining of the intestinal wall, allowing substances to leak through into the bloodstream.

It is important to note that the lining of the gut wall is a crucial component of the immune system. In a healthy gut, this lining prevents bacteria, viruses, toxins, and undigested foods from entering into the blood. However, when Leaky gut syndrome develops, this lining becomes damaged, becoming permeable to the very substances that the wall should protect us from, the bacteria, viruses, toxins, and undigested foods.


HOW DOES THIS AFFECT MY BODY?


     To begin, LGS causes inflammation of the intestinal lining and damage to the gut cells, (or microvilli). These microvilli are necessary to produce the enzymes and secretions essential for the digestive process and absorption of nutrients. When the microvilli are damaged, normal digestion and absorption will be impaired. With the lack of these essential enzymes, food will not be broken down appropriately, and therefore, proper absorption will not occur. In short, with LGS, your intestines are not functioning to digest and absorb the ingested food correctly.

    In addition, as stated earlier, bacteria, viruses, toxins, and undigested foods will have the ability to enter the blood through the large spaces that develop in the intestinal wall. With the breakdown of the gut's protective barrier, these external toxins literally leak into the bloodstream. Unable to recognize the foreign invaders, the body builds up antibodies against them, and transforms to an "attack" mode. The end result is the development of autoimmune disease, a situation in which the body makes antibodies against its own tissues.

      Allergies occur when antibodies develop to the undigested proteins of previously harmless foods. When the offending food is ingested, the antibodies enter the body tissues, causing an inflammatory reaction. If this inflammation arises in the joint tissue, inflammatory arthritis occurs. If it appears in the brain, myalgic encephalomyelitis (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) occurs. When the lining of the gut itself is affected, the result can be Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, or Crohn's Disease.

     The leakage of toxic substances from the intestine into the body tissues will eventually overwhelm the immune system. The liver, which normally functions to detoxify the body, will also become overwhelmed and overloaded. When the liver can no longer handle the poisonous overload, it flushes the toxins back into the bloodstream, setting off an allergic reaction. The circulatory system, in an attempt to protect the major organs from damage, pushes the harmful substances to the connective tissues and muscles. The allergic inflammatory response triggers symptoms that are extremely common in today's society. These symptoms include chronic fatigue, headache, eczema, muscle pain, arthritic or joint pain, bowel disorders, bloating, memory loss, brain fog, anxiety, irritability, poor immunity, abdominal pain, insomnia, and multiple allergies. However, because of the diversity of these symptoms, their causes are often overlooked and not related together by the medical professions.

     There are 80 or so recognized autoimmune diseases, the causes of which have been ironically labeled "unknown". However, researchers estimate that the gut is responsible for over two-thirds of all immune activity. Therefore, it only makes sense that an impaired gut would weaken immune function and lead to disease processes.

CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKY GUT

  • Allergies (food, environmental, chemical)
  • Alopecia Areata (baldness)
  • Anaphylactic Shock
  • Arthritis (inflammatory)
  • Asthma
  • Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
  • Autistic Like Symptoms
  • Candida (yeast overgrowth)
  • Celiac Disease
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Colitis
  • Colon Cancer
  • Crohn's Disease
  • Environmental Illness
  • Diabetes
  • Fibromyalgia/ Myofascial Pain Syndrome
  • Giardia
  • Gout
  • Heartburn / Esophageal Reflux
  • Hepatitis
  • Infectious and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Malnutrition / Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Pancreatic dysfunction
  • Parasitic Involvement
  • Raynaud's Disease
  • Schizophrenic Like Symptoms
  • Skin Conditions: Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Hives
  • Sjogren's Syndrome
  • Thyroid Disease
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Vasculitis
CAUSES OF LEAKY GUT SYNDROME
  • Alcohol
  • Bacterial Infection
  • Caffeine
  • Chemicals (in processed foods)
  • Diet high in sugar, refined flour, processed foods, additives, preservatives, colorings, and other chemicals.
  • Drugs (Antacids, Antibiotics, Birth Control Pills, NSAIDS- such as ibuprofen & aspirin, Steroids.)
  • Enzyme Deficiencies (Celiac Disease, lactase deficiency)
  • Gluten Intolerance
  • Laxatives
  • Parasitic Infection
  • Yeast Overgrowth - yeast or bacteria are the main causes of LGS.

TESTING FOR LEAKY GUT


    Leaky gut is generally tested for using the Mannitol and Lactulose Test. These are both water soluble substances that the body normally can not use. In healthy intestines, mannitol is easily absorbed, but lactulose, being a larger molecule, is only slightly absorbed. After ingesting the solution containing both mannitol and lactulose, urine is collected for six hours. Normal findings would include high levels of mannitol and low levels of lactulose. If high levels of both molecules are present in the urine sample, then leaky gut is indicated. If low levels of both are portrayed, then general malabsorption of all nutrients is signified.


HOW DO I HEAL THE GUT?


      The healing process of Leaky Gut Syndrome will require much dedication on the patient's part to change their lifestyle to a healthier one. It will not be an easy "pop a pill" solution, but will entail dietary and other daily life alterations over a prolonged period of time. Unlike the purpose of most medications which is to simply relieve symptoms, ignore the cause, and give you another medical condition, relief of symptoms through these natural means will come as a much desired side benefit as the body restores itself to a healthy state. However, please be aware that as the body detoxifies itself, one may experience some discomfort from the dying off of bacteria, parasites, or yeast, and from the release of accumulated toxins from the system. One may also experience withdrawal symptoms from addictive foods during the elimination diet. These symptoms may include fatigue, headaches, and irritability. But remember, experiencing some uncomfortable symptoms during the detoxifying process only means that the process is working and healing is taking place. When you stir up muddy waters, the mud pours out first!

    NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique) is a healing art that can address the issues responsible for Leaky Gut Syndrome. It uses the combined principles of acupuncture, chiropractic, and kinesiology to reverse symptom provoking imbalances in the body. Dr. Devi Nambudripad, licensed in western medicine, acupuncture, and chiropractic, discovered this lifesaving technique approximately 30 years ago.

NAET practitioners world wide are now effectively eliminating allergies in a safe, natural, and noninvasive manner. It is important to note that in NAET terms, an allergen is anything that is causing an imbalance in the body. Therefore, an allergen can be food, environment, emotions, or anything other stressor that may be leading to any bodily dysfunction.

      We have discovered through their elimination, that so many health conditions are in fact attributed to allergies. Conditions such as asthma, arthritis, colitis, hayfever, mental illness, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Fibromylagia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, migraine headaches, yeast/candida overgrowth, Diabetes, hypoglycemia, parasitic infestations, and even viral/bacterial infections, to name only a few, can all be treated successfully with NAET. Please note that these are the same conditions related to Leaky Gut.

Thousands of patients worldwide can testify to the reversal of their chronic conditions by eliminating their multitude of food, chemical, environmental, and even emotional allergies through NAET.

 

     The healing program for Leaky Gut Syndrome comprises techniques for healing the whole body, not just the gut. It is a program designed to detoxify, cleanse, and repair the entire body which in its toxic state, lead to the condition of Leaky Gut Syndrome. As the body repairs itself, so will the gut. It takes time and patience for this healing to occur, but with the proper tools, it is surely possible!


For specific information on how to heal the gut, please see Dr. Yee.

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