Leaky Intestine

You guessed it, the subject of this article is the Leaky Gut Syndrom, scientifically called Intestinal Porosity.

What is Intestinal Porosity?

Ideally, no waste should pass the intestinal barrier. This barrier should only allow the passage of essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc.) while preventing the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms, metabolic waste and other toxic substances. In practice, it does not work too much. The porosity of the intestine from time to time let seep into the blood and lymphatic circulation, waste that should never have been there. The liver intervenes to process this waste passed “through the cracks”.

The Consequences of this Scourge

Intestinal porosity is the basis of many health problems:

• Malnutrition
• Dysbiosis due to inflammation of the intestinal walls (helped by NSAID drugs: acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), ibuprofen: Advil®, Motrin®) or corticosteroids (cortisone), antibiotics, alcohol, simple carbohydrates and coffee.)
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Celiac disease
• Food allergies and intolerances and their consequences (asthma, atopic eczema)
• Autoimmune diseases (arthritis, diabetes, thyroiditis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, etc.)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ileitis, colitis)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Mental (eg schizophrenia) and psychic (eg autism) illnesses to name a few.

 

Intestinal Porosity and Gluten: Egg or Hen?

Question 1

While reading the course 445 OrthoMolecular Approaches, I had a question: glutamine is useful for countering intestinal porosity and it is found in wheat gluten in particular. However, we know that in some cases it is precisely the gluten that makes the intestine more permeable. So the egg or the chicken? To answer my question, I will see the CMDQ FAQs available from the college student center and it turns out that someone else had the same question. Great minds think alike. The answer from our tutor Laure reads as follows:

“Wheat as such does not promote intestinal porosity, it is gluten intolerance which is associated with it. Therefore, one cannot give sources of gluten to a person who is intolerant to gluten from where no wheat. However, eggs and legumes also contain glutamine and are not contraindicated in cases of gluten intolerance. ”

Here’s the key: it all depends on our gluten tolerance! If you are tolerant, then no problem, wheat gluten will protect you from intestinal porosity. On the other hand, if you are intolerant, we suggest other foods that contain glutamine.

Question 2

Again in the FAQs we find this answer from our tutor Vania:

You are asking if intestinal porosity is a CAUSE or a CONSEQUENCE. Your question is clear, but the answer from scientists is not always. In fact, the most recent studies suggest that it is at the beginning a CONSEQUENCE, but that it can later become a CAUSE. Let me explain. Intestinal porosity can develop, for example, in response to gluten ingestion, when one is intolerant to gluten. In this case, it is a CONSEQUENCE of celiac disease. One study found that the intestinal porosity of people with celiac disease has returned to normal in 87% of people who have followed a gluten-free diet for more than a year. On the other hand, if the intestinal porosity is not treated, it can then become a CAUSE and cause a cascade of other allergies, other intolerances. See p. Manual 59-60 (Course 343 Metabolism and Nutrition): “Chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia and increased food allergies are among the many problems that can be CAUSED by a porous gut wall”.

Here’s a little rule to help you find your way around, even if it’s a simplistic rule, and there are bound to be exceptions. When intestinal porosity is a CONSEQUENCE of an allergy or intolerance, this allergy or intolerance is usually unique and occurs in response to a specific allergen. Intestinal porosity, on the other hand, usually CAUSES multiple allergies or multiple intolerances in response to a host of allergens.

How to Combat Intestinal Permeability ?

Lactobacillus plantarum is a lactic acid probiotic bacterium which can have a beneficial effect on the maintenance or restoration of the intestinal barrier. Also, taking prebiotics is necessary for the good health of the intestinal flora. One of the symptoms of this flora imbalance is smelly gas. To heal the mucosa, Dr. Éric Ménat uses L-glutamine, an amino acid specific to repairing the mucosa, and chlorophyll. In addition to healing, chlorophyll absorbs gases and is antifungal.

The probiotics effective against digestive pain are: Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus acidophilus. These 3 probiotics are found in particular in certain foods such as yogurts or in food supplements.

In conclusion, multiple solutions:

• L.B. prebiotics and larch arabinogalactan
• Acidophilus and Bifidus bacteria probiotics
• Omega 3 fatty acid EPA and DHA
• Emollient plants: mallow, marshmallow, licorice, fenugreek and chamomile

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

In this syndrome, the intestine is said to be hypersensitive, since the passage of the food bolus (therefore the distension of the walls of the intestine) leads to painful sensations and discomfort.

This results in contractions of the intestinal muscles which are spasmodic and disordered. This disorder either leads to episodes of diarrhea or constipation and is accompanied by abdominal pain.

In some people, IBS causes only minor annoyance while it is much more serious for others. Symptoms can appear every day, for a week or a month, then go away, or last a lifetime. It is estimated that one in nine school-aged children have symptoms similar to IBS each quarter.

This intestinal disorder affects one in five Canadians and particularly affects women. It constitutes a very serious functional malaise, and is the subject of 30 to 50% of consultations in gastroenterology. Unlike more serious intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, IBS does not cause inflammation. IBS does not get worse over time and does not require surgery. However, it can seriously interfere with professional and social activities, and impoverish the quality of life.

Bowel Irritability Solutions

Lactose and gluten intolerances are the most common and testing and or a food diary with re-introduction protocol should be undertaken. The following foods should be eliminated or restricted: alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners (Splenda®, Aspartame, sorbitol, mannitol, etc.), very fatty foods, abuse of simple carbohydrates, raw fruits and crucifers should be avoided (the last two if diarrhea or gas).

• Enzymes
• Pro and prebiotics
• Enteric capsules of peppermint essential oil
• NAG (n-acetyl-glucosamine)
• Eliminate allergenic foods
• Hypnosis
• Psycho-energetic medicine including homeopathy and acupuncture Did you know?

Hypnosis has shown to be effective in the management of IBS provided that it is part of a comprehensive approach. It is therefore possible to integrate this technique into a program in order to relieve patients.

An interesting site to visit: www.ibshypnosis.com This site is totally dedicated to the interest of hypnotherapy in the management of IBS.

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