Leaky Gut Syndrome

Your GI tract performs many functions and plays a big role in your all health.  The stomach starts off by providing hydrochloric acid (HCL) and other factors to help absorb many nutrients. In the first part of the small intestines the pancreas releases digestive enzymes and the gallbladder excretes bile which helps emulsifies fat.

The HCL, pancreatic acids and the bile break down the food into small particles so they can pass through the lining of the small Leaky Gut Syndrome - Novato Functional Medicineintestine and into the blood system to circulated throughout the body. The small intestine absorbs the vast majority of our nutrients. The surface area of your small intestine has the same surface area as a tennis court.

Any breakdown or inflammation of this lining can lead to many problems.  Also in and around the lining the body has immune cells that help recognize foreign invaders and substances.  Two thirds of your immune system is in your digestive tract.  Also there are many microorganisms live in the digestive tract.  There are more microbial cells living in your GI tract than in your whole body. They play big role in keeping the gut lining healthy and controlling the immune system.

Food allergies, gut infections, toxic exposure and stress can cause inflammation of the gut leading to Leaky Gut syndrome. Leaky gut occurs when the lining of the gut breaks down due means that incompletely digested food particles can enter the blood stream. When this occurs the immune system thinks that food is a foreign invader and attacks the food particle.

These immune system reactions can cause inflammation all over your body, not just the intestines. One of the most significant type of reaction that can occur is an auto-immune reaction.  This is where the body starts attacking itself, because it thinks certain parts of the body (the cell receptor are similar) are the food it reacts against. Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, pernicious anemia and Type I diabetes are examples of autoimmune reactions. But you can still have an autoimmune reaction without being diagnosed with a full blown autoimmune condition.  Also inflammation and immune system dys-regulation interferes with your body’s ability to handle blood sugar and will cause adrenal dysfunction (HHPA Axis).

Here are some of the symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome:

  • Increasing frequency of food reactions
  • Unpredictable food reactions
  • Aches, pains, and swelling throughout the body
  • Unpredictable abdominal swelling
  • Frequent bloating and distention after eating Abdominal intolerance to sugars and starches
  • Feeling that bowels do not empty completely Lower abdominal pain relieved by passing stool or gas
  • Alternating constipation and diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Hard, dry, or small stool
  • Coated tongue or “fuzzy” debris on tongue
  • Pass large amount of foul-smelling gas
  • More than 3 bowel movements daily
  • Use laxatives frequently

Testing For Food Sensitivities and Gut Dysbiosis is very helpful to get to the root cause of Leaky Gut Syndrome.