fwd ;

[Guest guest]

ZOLTAN P. RONA, M.D., M.Sc.

1466 BATHURST ST. SUITE 305

TORONTO, ONT. M5R 3J3

416-534-8880; FAX:416-534-6723

ALTERED IMMUNITY & THE LEAKY GUT SYNDROME

The leaky gut syndrome is the name given to a very common health

disorder in

which the basic organic defect (lesion) is an intestinal lining which is

more

permeable (porous) than normal. The abnormally large spaces present

between

the cells of the gut wall allow the entry of toxic material into the

bloodstream that would, in healthier circumstances, be repelled and

eliminated. The gut becomes leaky in the sense that bacteria, fungi,

parasites and their toxins, undigested protein, fat and waste normally

not

absorbed into the bloodstream in the healthy state, pass through a

damaged,

hyperpermeable, porous or " leaky " gut. This can be verified by special

gut

permeability urine tests, microscopic examination of the lining of the

intestinal wall as well as the bloodstream with phase contrast or

darkfield

microscopy of living whole blood.

Why is The Leaky Gut Syndrome Important?

The leaky gut syndrome is almost always associated with autoimmune

disease

and reversing autoimmune disease depends on healing the lining of the

gastrointestinal tract. Any other treatment is just symptom suppression.

An

autoimmune disease is defined as one in which the immune system makes

antibodies against its own tissues. Diseases in this category include

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), diabetes and Raynaud's disease. Physicians are

increasingly recognizing the importance of the gastrointestinal tract in

the

development of allergic or autoimmune disease. Understanding the leaky

gut

phenomenon not only helps us see why allergies and autoimmune diseases

develop but also helps us with safe and effective therapies to bring the

body

back into balance.

Due to the enlarged spaces between the cells of the gut wall, larger

than

usual protein molecules are absorbed before they have a chance to be

completely broken down as occurs when the intestinal lining is intact.

The

immune system starts making antibodies against these larger molecules

because

it recognizes them as foreign, invading substances. The immune system

starts

treating them as if they had to be destroyed. Antibodies are made

against

these proteins derived from previously harmless foods.

Human tissues have antigenic sites very similar to those on foods,

bacteria,

parasites, candida or fungi. The antibodies created by the leaky gut

phenomenon against these antigens can get into various tissues and

trigger an

inflammatory reaction when the corresponding food is consumed or the

microbe

is encountered. Autoantibodies are thus created and inflammation becomes

chronic. If this inflammation occurs in a joint, autoimmune arthritis

(rheumatoid arthritis) develops. If it occurs in the brain, myalgic

encephalomyelitis (a.k.a. chronic fatigue syndrome) may be the result.

If it

occurs in the blood vessels, vasculitis (inflammation of the blood

vessels)

is the resulting autoimmune problem. If the antibodies end up attacking

the

lining of the gut itself, the result may be colitis or Crohn's disease.

If it

occurs in the lungs, asthma is triggered on a delayed basis every time

the

individual consumes the food which triggered the production of the

antibodies

in the first place. It is easy to see that practically any organ or body

tissue can become affected by food allergies created by the leaky gut.

Symptoms, especially those seen in conditions such as chronic fatigue

syndrome, can be multiple and severely debilitating.

The inflammation that causes the leaky gut syndrome also damages the

protective coating of antibodies of the IgA family normally present in a

healthy gut. Since IgA helps us ward off infections, with leaky gut

problems

we become less resistant to viruses, bacteria, parasites and candida.

These

microbes are then able to invade the bloodstream and colonize almost any

body

tissue or organ. When this occurs in the gums, periodontal disease

results.

If it happens in the jaw, tooth extraction or root canals might be

necessary

to cure the infection.

In addition to the creation of food allergies by the leaky gut, the

bloodstream is invaded by bacteria, fungi and parasites that, in the

healthy

state, would not penetrate the protective barrier of the gut. These

microbes

and their toxins, if present in large enough amounts, can overwhelm the

liver's ability to detoxify. This results in symptoms such as confusion,

memory loss, brain fog or facial swelling when the individual is exposed

to a

perfume or to cigarette smoke that he or she had no adverse reactions to

prior to the development of the leaky gut syndrome.

Leaky gut syndrome also creates a long list of mineral deficiencies

because

the various carrier proteins present in the gastrointestinal tract that

are

needed to transport minerals from the intestine to the blood are damaged

by

the inflammation process. For example, magnesium deficiency (low red

blood

cell magnesium) is quite a common finding in conditions like

fibromyalgia

despite a high magnesium intake through the diet and supplementation. If

the

carrier protein for magnesium is damaged, magnesium deficiency develops

as a

result of malabsorption. Muscle pain and spasms can occur as a result.

Similarly, zinc deficiency due to malabsorption can result in hair loss

or

baldness as occurs in alopecia areata. Copper deficiency can occur in an

identical way leading to high blood cholesterol levels and

osteoarthritis.

Further, bone problems develop as a result of the malabsorption of

calcium,

boron, silicon and manganese.

The Causes

The leaky gut syndrome is basically caused by inflammation of the gut

lining.

This inflammation is usually brought about by the following:

Antibiotics 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 helicobacter

pylori,

klebsiella, citrobacter, pseudomonas and others

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)

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

The leaky gut syndrome can cause the malabsorption of many important

micronutrients. The inflammatory process causes swelling (edema) and the

presence of many noxious chemicals all of which can block the absorption

of

vitamins and essential amino acids. A leaky gut does not absorb

nutrients

properly. Bloating, gas and cramps occur as do a long list of vitamin

and

mineral deficiencies. Eventually, systemic complaints like fatigue,

headaches, memory loss, poor concentration or irritability develop.

Prescription broad spectrum antibiotics, especially when taken for

extended

periods of time, wipe out all the gut friendly bacteria that provide

protection against fungi and amoebic (parasitic) infections, help the

body

break down complex foods and synthesize vitamins like B12 and biotin.

Since

this friendly bowel flora is killed off, the body now has no local

defence

against the parasites or fungi that are normally held in check. This

then

causes an inflammatory reaction leading to the leaky gut syndrome. Food

allergies quickly develop and these may trigger the signs and symptoms

of

arthritis, eczema, migraines, asthma or other forms of immune

dysfunction.

Other common symptoms of this bowel flora imbalance and leaky gut

syndrome

are bloating and gas after meals and alternating constipation with

diarrhea.

This set of symptoms is usually labelled as IBS (irritable bowel

syndrome) or

spastic bowel disease and treated symptomatically by general

practitioners

and gastroenterologists with antispasmodic drugs, tranquilizers or

different

types of soluble (psyllium) and insoluble (bran) fiber.

The Leaky Gut and IBS

The mainstream thinking on IBS is that it is caused by stress. Irritable

bowel syndrome is the number one reason for general practitioner

referrals to

specialists. In well over 80% of the cases, tests like the intestinal

permeability test (a special urine test involving the determination of

absorption rates of two sugars called lactulose and mannitol), CDSA or

livecell darkfield microscopy reveal the presence of an overgrowth of

fungi,

parasites or pathogenic bacteria. The one-celled parasite, blastocystis

hominis and different species of candida are the most common microbes

seen in

IBS. The only stress associated with IBS is that which is generated by

infection and the leaky gut syndrome. If allowed to persist without the

correct treatment, IBS can progress into more serious disorders like the

candidiasis syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue

syndrome, many autoimmune diseases and even cancer. If treated

medically, IBS

is rarely cured. To treat it correctly, natural treatments work best and

must

include the removal of the cause, improvement of gastrointestinal

function

and healing the lining of the gut.

How to Reverse Leaky Gut Syndrome

Band-aid treatments with corticosteroids, prescription antibiotics and

immunosuppressive drugs may be temporarily life-saving for acute

episodes of

pain, bleeding or severe inflammation as occurs in lupus or colitis. In

the

long run, however, none of these treatments do anything to heal the

leaky gut

problem. To reverse the leaky gut syndrome the diet must be completely

changed to one which is as hypoallergenic as possible. Sugar, white

flour

products, all gluten-containing grains (especially wheat, barley, oats

and

rye), milk and dairy products, high fat foods, caffeine products,

alcohol and

hidden food allergies determined by testing must all be eliminated for

long

periods of time (several years in the most severe cases).

Treatment might also include the use of natural antibiotics (echinacea,

colloidal silver, garlic), antiparasitics (cloves, wormwood, black

walnut)

and antifungals (taheebo, caprylic acid, grapefruit seed extract)

depending

on the type of infection which shows up on objective tests. It is rare

that

victims require prescription drugs for these infections and they should

be

discouraged. The drugs are usually expensive, have unpleasant side

effects

and are best reserved for life-threatening conditions.

Leaky gut syndrome patients can help themselves by chewing their food

more

thoroughly, following the basic rules of food combining, eating frequent

small meals rather than three large ones and taking more time with their

meals. Gastrointestinal function can be improved with a juice fast or a

hypoallergenic diet and supplements like lactobacillus acidophilus and

bifidus as well as FOS (fructooligosaccharides) derived from Jerusalem

artichoke, chicory, the dahlia plant or burdock root.

Beneficial Supplements for Leaky Gut Syndrome:

natural digestive enzymes - from plant (e,g, bromelain, papain) or

pancreatic animal tissues (porcine, bovine, lamb) and aloe vera juice

with a

high MPS concentration (good brands are International Aloe, Earthnet and

Royal)

stomach acidity enhancing supplements - betaine and pepsin, glutamic

acid, stomach bitters, apple cider vinegar

amino acids - L-glutamine, N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG)

essential fatty acids - milled flax, flax seed oil, evening primrose

oil,

borage oil, olive oil, fish oils, black currant seed oil

soluble fiber - psyllium seed husks and powder, apple or citrus

pectin,

the rice derived gamma oryzanol,

antioxidants - carotenoids, B complex, vitamin C, E, zinc, selenium,

germanium, Coenzyme Q10, bioflavonoids, especially quercetin, catechin,

hesperidin, rutin and proanthocyanidins (pycnogenols, grape seed

extract,

pine bark extract, bilberry)

herbs and plant extracts - kudzu, various high chlorophyll

containing

green drinks like spirulina, chlorella and blue green algae, burdock,

slippery elm, Turkish rhubarb, sheep sorrel, licorice root, ginger root,

goldenseal, bismuth and bentonite.

Combination Green Foods - two excellent products are Green Life

(Bioquest) and Greens Plus (Supplements Plus)

Due to the increasing recognition of chronic fatigue syndrome, the leaky

gut

syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity, a number of supplement

companies

have been marketing powdered hypoallergenic formulations containing most

of

the nutrients mentioned above in one convenient package. Some brand

names

include Ultrabalance¨, UltraClear Sustain¨, UltraClear Plus¨,

Pro-Cleanse¨,

Pro-Support¨ and ActiClear¨. The products are only available through

natural

health care practitioners like chiropractors, nutritional doctors and

naturopaths. If you suspect you may be suffering from leaky gut

syndrome, the

most important thing to do is get yourself tested by a natural health

care

practitioner. A personalized natural program of diet and supplements can

then

be instituted to help you reverse this debilitating condition.

REFERENCES

Gittleman, A.L., Guess What came to Dinner - Parasites and your health,

Garden City Park,New York: Avery, 1993.

Gottschall, Elaine. Breaking The Vicious Cycle. Intestinal Health

Through

Diet. Kirkton, Ont.:The Kirkton Press, 1994.

, Jeanne Marie and Rona, Zoltan P. The Complete Candida Yeast

Guidebook. Rocklin, California:Prima Books, 1996.

L, et al. The effect of procyanidolic oligomers on vascular

permeability. A study using

quantitative morphology. Pathol Biol 38:608-616; 1990.

, Sherry A. Finally Healing the Immune System. Macrobiotics Today.

September/October 1995; pp. 16-20.

Rona, Zoltan P. Childhood Illness and The Allergy Connection. Rocklin,

California:Prima Books, 1996.

--

http://members.xoom.com/Neil_S_/autism.html