What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Leaky gut syndrome is a condition where the mucous lining of the small intestine becomes porous. If the intestinal lining is porous, than toxins, microorganisms and food particles can enter directly into the bloodstream.

What causes Leaky Gut Syndrome?

The function of the mucous lining of the small intestine can be compared to that of a window screen, which lets air in but keeps bugs out. It is also like the skin, in that it sloughs off a layer of cells naturally every 3 to 5 days and produces new cells to keep the lining semi-permeable.

However, when digestion is impaired by such factors as stress, processed food consumption, inadequate chewing, excessive fluid intake with meals, improper food combining and overeating, it can lead to an excessively permeable (leaky) gut.  

When bacteria present in the intestine act upon undigested food particles, toxic chemicals and gases are produced. These intestinal toxins can damage the mucosal lining, resulting in increased intestinal permeability. This is the basic mechanism by which leaky gut comes into being.

It can also be caused or aggravated by a number of other factors, including:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Parasites
• Bacteria
• Chemical food additives
• Enzyme deficiencies (as found in celiac disease and lactose intolerance)
• Diet of refined carbohydrates
• Birth control pills
• Mold and fungal mycotoxins
• Free radicals
• Heightened exposure to environmental toxins
• Dental toxins
• Stress

Perhaps the greatest contributors to leaky gut are the drugs listed below:

• NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin and Motrin)
• Antacids
• Steroids (includes prescription corticosteroids such as prednisone and hydrocortisone)
• Antibiotics (which lead to overgrowth of bad bacteria in the GI tract)

What are the signs and symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Leaky Gut Syndrome has many different signs and symptoms. The most common of which are;

• Food Allergies
• I.B.S. (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Multiple chemical sensitivities.

Leaky gut can aggravate existing conditions as well such as:

• fatigue
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• fever
• abdominal discomfort
• diarrhea
• skin rashes
• a toxic feeling
• memory deficit
• shortness of breath

Leaky gut syndrome can also cause malabsorption of important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It can eventually lead to such complaints as:

• fatigue
• headaches
• memory loss
• poor concentration
• irritability

How common is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Those who routinely use large amounts of alcohol and caffeine and those who eat a diet that is high in refined carbohydrates and chemical food additives are likely to have Leaky Gut Syndrome.

As most Canadians tend to eat highly refined foods on a regular basis, it is likely that most Canadians have Leaky Gut Syndrome. Those who have regularly taken any of the drugs listed above are more likely to suffer from Leaky Gut Syndrome, whether they’ve been diagnosed with it or not. People with digestive problems (with or without symptoms) will also probably have an underlying leaky gut condition.

What health problems are caused by Leaky Gut Syndrome?

The consequence of having a leaky gut is the development of autoimmune disease. There are some 80 recognized autoimmune diseases. These include:

• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Diabetes
• Raynaud’s disease

What can be done to help with Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Lifestyle changes are vital to eliminate Leaky Gut Syndrome long term. However, the following products can greatly control Leaky Gut Syndrome.

• IntestiNEW - a therapeutic strength product that works to soothe and heal damage to the intestinal tract lining. This is important for long term control of Leaky Gut Syndrome.

 

• FloraSMART - A patented blend of 7 required probiotics that work to replenish 'good' bacteria into the intestinal tract.

 

• OilSMART - this essential fatty acid supplements helps to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the intestinal tract.