In spite of the magnificence of the structure and function of our intestinal tract, it is not immune to certain conditions that render it compromised or simply damaged. I refer to a condition known in medical circles for many years; but it is rarely given credence and is therefore often overlooked. That condition, to which any one of us is subject, is known as Intestinal Permeability, or the Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS).
We stated earlier that the jejunum is the primary section of the small intestine where most of the nutrients pass through the walls of the intestine and enter the bloodstream, which in turn nourishes every cell (sixty trillion!) of the body. Damage to this section of the small intestine, however, will allow the larger molecules of toxins and irritants of one kind or another to pass through as well. These destructive elements pollute the bloodstream and are carried to the myriad of cells to every organ of the body where the blood goes. In other words, where the blood goes, so go the pollutants. In some cases, permeability of the large (toxic) molecules takes place while permeability of the small (nutrient) molecules is prevented, causing malabsorption and malnutrition.
So, a person may develop diabetes, for instance, because the cells of the pancreas (Islets of Langerhans) become affected by the poisoned blood. This can apply to any organ of the body, as well as the joints (arthritis), the brain (schizophrenia, mental depression), and the skin (psoriasis, eczema), among others. Admittedly this is theory—but is it really so farfetched? I think not.
If it is true that a leaky gut is the basic cause of many diseases, especially those that are degenerative, it seems to me that healing the walls of the intestines is the most logical step to follow. Can this be done? I state without reservation that it can be and has been done!
Remember that the macrovilli and microvilli of the inner wall (lumen) of the intestines number into the millions and billions, respectively. It is estimated that there are twenty thousand villi and ten billion microvilli in one square inch of intestinal lining! The attack (for lack of a better word) comes from the inside—or the inner wall of the intestinal tube. The way to approach a possible remedy is, consequently, from the inside. Admittedly this is not an earth-shattering concept. It’s just plain common sense. The next question is: How does one do that?
The answer is twofold. First, we can put a halt to the irritants causing the problem, i.e., yeast, viruses, bacterial overload, etc., by destroying or removing them. Second, we can provide soothing, ingested remedies whose function it is to heal the inner walls of the intestines. This is the key to the healing of the disease, which is covered in Part II of this book.
The Gastro-Intestinal (GI) Tract
Without a healthy GI tract, you are always sick in one way or another—or you die! Your death may be the result of a slow, insidious process, but you will be just as dead as you would be from a speeding bullet! Therefore, it is helpful to know a little about the GI tract and how it functions. The following are the primary functions of our GI tract:
1. It digests food.
2. It absorbs small food molecules which supply the fuel and energy of the body.
3. It carries nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, which are attached to what are called carrier proteins across the gut wall into the bloodstream.
4. It plays a major role in detoxification of harmful chemicals in the body.
5. It fights infection through immunoglobulins (antibodies) which act as the first line of defense against infection.
No minor task you might say. Yet, in the healthy state it carries out those functions as easily as a normal person walks across the street. But, when damage exists within the GI tract, its function is impaired, not unlike that person trying to walk across the street with two sprained ankles.
That’s when inflammation of the intestinal tract can cause all kinds of havoc—anywhere in the body! In the light of this knowledge, therefore, it seems a mistake to treat areas (or organs) of the body without giving the slightest consideration to the possibility of the GI tract being even remotely involved.
Signs of the Disease—What Happens When the Gut Is Inflamed?
Objective Signs
When changes in the lining of the intestinal tract take place, there are certain telltale signs that offer a clue that the patient may be suffering from a leaky gut, causing toxic elements to invade the blood stream. Objective signs (observed by someone other than the patient) include everything from skin rash of one kind or another, bloating of the stomach, and impaired growth (as in the case of celiac disease) to malaise, malnutrition, nasal coryza (as in the case of allergic sensitivity), mucous stools (as in the case of irritable bowel syndrome, IBS), as well as blood in the stools (as in the case of parasite infection).
Subjective Signs
Subjective signs (experienced by the patient) carry a wide variety of symptoms, such as: pain in the stomach and intestinal area (especially upon palpation of these areas), pain in the joints and spine, chronic constipation and/or diarrhea, headache, attention deficit, skin disease, hyperactive or under-active behavior, fever, altered blood sugar levels contributing to diabetes, toxic liver symptoms, allergies, asthma, and a myriad of other symptoms.
Dr. Leo Galland, M.D., gastroenterologist, director of the Foundation for Integrated Medicine, and author of Power Healing, is one of the foremost authorities on the leaky gut. The following list of symptoms associated with increased intestinal permeability is taken directly from his informative online article “Leaky Gut Syndromes: Breaking the Vicious Cycle” (www.mdheal.org/leakygut.htm).
Symptoms Associated with Increased Intestinal Permeability:
| Fatigue and malaise | Diarrhea |
| Arthralgias | Skin rashes |
| Myalgias | Toxic feelings |
| Fevers of unknown origin | Cognitive and memory deficits |
| Food intolerances | Shortness of breath |
| Abdominal pain | Poor exercise tolerance |
| Abdominal distension |
Dr. Galland goes on to say in the same article “Unless specifically investigated, the role of altered intestinal permeability in patients with Leaky Gut Syndrome often goes unrecognized.”
The Seven Stages of the Inflamed Gut
The seven stages of the ‘inflamed’ gut, according to the AIA Newsletter (1997), are as follows:
1. When the gut is inflamed, it does not absorb nutrients and foods properly and so fatigue and bloating can occur.
2. As mentioned previously, when large food particles are absorbed there is the creation of food allergies and new symptoms with target organs, such as, arthritis or fibromyalgia.
3. When the gut is inflamed the carrier proteins are