Leaky Gut Syndrome - also known as Intestinal Permeability.

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome? Leaky Gut Syndrome (intestinal permeability) is not a disease but rather an intestinal dysfunction that underlies many different illnesses and symptoms. However, Leaky Gut Syndrome is actually poorly recognized while being an extremely common problem.

What causes Leaky Gut Syndrome? Leaky Gut Syndrome results in an increase in the so-called permeability of the mucosal intestinal lining to luminal macro molecules. In other words, large spaces develop between the cells of the gut wall and this allows bacteria, toxins and food to leak in.
Once the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed or damaged it disrupts the way the digestive system functions. The spaces that open up allow large food antigens to be absorbed into the body, which are regarded as 'foreign' to the body's defense system. This results in the production of antibodies against what was once harmless and innocuous foods. This is how food allergies are created as well as new symptoms with target organs, e.g. arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Symptoms include fatigue and bloating because food and nutrients are not digested properly. Chemical sensitivity may also occur. The leaking of toxins also burdens the liver so that the body is less able to handle everyday chemicals. Carrier proteins are also damaged so nutrient deficiencies occur which cause a variety of symptoms: Magnesium deficiency causes muscle spasms and fibromyalgia. Copper deficiency leads to high cholesterol and Osteoarthritis. Zinc deficiency leads to malabsorption which causes hair loss and eye disorders(macular degeneration) The body is unable to ward off bacteria, viruses and parasites as well as fungus and yeasts like Candida. These pathogenic bad organisms then pass from the gut cavity into the bloodstream and set up infection anywhere else in the body. \

Formation of antibodies may occur. They leak across and look similar to antigens on our own tissues. So when an antibody is made to attack it, it also attacks the tissue. This is possibly how auto-immune and chronic disease like Crohn's Disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, and Thyroiditis start. Together these conditions encourage the formation of toxins. These toxins can also cause leaks. When food particles escape through the leaks into the blood stream, the immune system senses them as a threat (an antigen), and results in food sensitivities.

Poor food choices not only cause Leaky Gut Syndrome but may lead to food sensitivities as well. Processed foods are low in nutrients and fiber and often contain lots of food additives, unhealthy fats and sugar. This creates an alkaline intestinal pH and a slow waste transit time. Leaky Gut Syndrome may cause confusion, memory loss, and 'brain fog'.

The following may lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome (Intestinal Permeability):

a's ProAntibiotics - because they lead to the overgrowth of abnormal flora in the gastrointestinal tract (bacteria, parasites, candida, fungi)
Alcohol and caffeine (strong gut irritants)
Foods and beverages contaminated by parasites like Giardia lamblia, cryptosporidium, blastocystis hominis and others
Foods and beverages contaminated by bacteria like heliobacter pylori, klebsiell, citrobacter, etc.                                                Chemicals in fermented and processed food (dyes, preservatives, peroxidized fats)
Enzyme deficiencies (e.g. celiac disease, lactase deficiency causing lactose intolerance) 
NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ASA, ibuprofen, indomethacin, etc.
Prescription corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone, hydrocortisone, DepoMedrol, etc.)
High refined carbohydrate diet (e.g. candy bars, cookies, cake, soft drinks, white bread)
Prescription hormones like the birth control pill
Mold and fungal mycotoxins in stored grains, fruit and refined carbohydrates
Dysbiosis and gastrointestinal Disease
Chemo-therapy and radiation therapy causing immune overload

Microbiology evaluation will test for overgrowth of fungus, bacteria and parasites.

Digestive aids like probiotics, such as Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics12Plus, digestive enzymes, natural anti-inflammatories and anti candida supplements assist in restoring the integrity of the mucosal lining of the digestive tract.