Ailments

Leaky gut syndrome

Leaky gut is a condition where the intestinal walls has become compromised by inflammation or damaged by various factors including an imbalance of the intestinal flora leading to bacterial, viral and yeast overgrowths in the guts. This then allows undigested proteins to enter the blood stream.

Usually proteins are broken down into their amino acid building blocks before passing into the blood stream and the immune system ignores them. However, complete proteins are considered foreign invaders by the immune system, when they appear in the blood stream, and the immune system will launch an attack on them immediately.

Then, because these proteins resemble the body’s protein structures, the immune system begins to attack the body’s own cells too. This can take place anywhere the body and lead to widespread inflammation and disorders of various organs including the brain.

There are so many new factors in the modern world that can have an effect on the intestinal health, and most people are unaware of the importance of taking care of the beneficial bacteria that resides within them and avoiding any damage to the intestinal walls.

Plus many people are too embarrassed to investigate the cause of intermittent diarrhoea and constipation and suffer in silence unaware that their intestinal walls could become compromised.

Food intolerances

Lectin is a type of glycoprotein found in many plant foods. Seeds of the grasses such as rice, rye, spelt and wheat have exceptionally high levels of this defensive glycoprotein. It is used as protection by the plants against the bacteria, fungi and insects which use N-Acetylglucosamine to build their cells walls.

All animals, including birds, fish, humans and even worms, use N-Acetyglucosamine as a foundational substance for building the various tissues in their bodies, including cartilage, joints, bones and tendons.

The mucous known as the glycocalyx, or literally “sugar coat” is secreted in humans by the epithelial cells which line all the mucous membranes, from the layer of skin over the eyes and in the nasal cavities to the top to the bottom of the alimentary tube, as well as the protective and slippery lining of blood vessels.

The glycocalyx is composed largely of N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetylneuraminic acid (also known as sialic acid) and lectin’s unique binding to these exact two glycoproteins is not accidental. Nature has designed lectin perfectly to attach to, disrupt and gain entry through these mucosal surfaces as a defence for the plants.

Viruses and lectins have many similarities. Both viral particles and lectin are very much smaller than the cells they enter and are taken into the cell through a process of endocytosis and both viruses and lectin gain entry through the sialic acid coatings of the mucous membranes (glycocalyx).

Because lectins are extremely small and resistant to decomposition by living systems they tend to accumulate and incorporate into tissues where they interfere with normal biological processes.  It takes only 500 micrograms (about half a grain of sand) of ricin (a lectin extracted from castor bean casings) to kill a human.

A single, one ounce slice of wheat bread contains approximately 500 micrograms of lectin but will usually only attack the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract after constant accumulation in the diet. Unfortunately, most bread also contains gluten which can cause similar issues, and processed flour often has additives to help it flow freely, last longer and can be bleached white using chlorine which adds to the problem.

The disruptive and damaging effects of wheat consumption are formidable in someone whose protective mucosal barrier has been compromised by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use.

Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, increase intestinal permeability (as does gluten in grains and the glycoalkaloids found in plants from the nightshade family) and may cause absorption of even larger-than-normal quantities of pro-inflammatory lectins as well as undigested proteins.

Certain bacteria and viruses, including the influenza and herpes viruses, can also damage cells making them more susceptible to lectin and antibody/antigen reactions.

The type of lectin in wheat known as wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), like gluten, irritates and causes premature cell death in the gut and leads to a leaky gut condition with all the detrimental effects that will follow. It also disrupts the mucus membrane in the gut which can cause bacterial overgrowth and leads to a host of digestive issues like gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers and nutrient deficiencies.

The wheat germ agglutinin and another unknown factor in wheat also cause vitamin D stores to deplete abnormally fast and can therefore lead to vitamin D deficiency, with all its accompanying issues like weakening of the bones, a weakened immune system and a vulnerability to infectious diseases and bacterial attacks.

Most foods contain lectins in varying amounts, and most do not cause any health issues however, common foods with known toxic lectins include all soya bean and wheat products including oils from these substances.

The most common causes of lectin intolerance

  • Beans: caster, cocoa, coffee, lentils, navy beans, peanuts and soya beans.
  • Dairy products (when cows are fed grains instead of grass).
  • Grains: brown rice, buckwheat, corn, millet, oats, quinoa, rye, spelt and wheat.
  • Nightshades: ashwaganda, aubergines, blueberries, goji berries, huckleberries, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes.

For more information see>> Allergies

Health issues that can be caused by leaky gut syndrome

Many other health issues could be due to leaky gut syndrome as it depends on which bodily tissues the immune system attacks and this is often impossible to determine; therefore leaky gut syndrome is not investigated. Instead, drugs are administered to treat the symptoms rather than this root cause and the problem continues to worsen.

Glutamine and glutamic acid

Glutamine is the most abundant building block of protein in the body. It is also involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid and is converted into glucose by the body as it is needed. It also strengthens and improves the intestinal lining and eliminates excess ammonia from the body.

Glutamine is also used to reduce the effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients as it protects the liver and the lining of the intestines from the toxicity of chemotherapy.

Gastrointestinal damage, leaky gut and stomach ulcers caused by the Helicobacter pylori can be addressed with the amino acid glutamine, found in many foods. The body requires both amino acids glutamine and glutamic acid to function correctly and therefore, consuming unprocessed foods rich in both these amino acids on a daily basis is necessary.

This amino acid is stored primarily in the muscles and secondarily in the lungs and the human body produces enough glutamine, on its own, for everyday maintenance. However, extensive work outs, prolonged stress, injuries and infections can deplete the supply.

The consumption of a tablespoon of powdered algae or seaweed flakes and an apple a day will provide a good amount of these two nutrients for the vegetarian or vegan.

Highest sources of glutamine in alphabetical order

Highest sources of glutamic acid in alphabetical order

Psyllium husks and leaky gut syndrome

Psyllium husks are an excellent way to fix digestive and excretory system disorders and create smooth transit of stools through the intestines. Take one tablespoon per day with plenty of water.

Probiotics and prebiotics for leaky gut syndrome

These are foods that nourish or introduce friendly bacteria in the intestines. For more information see >> Feed your friendly bacteria

Related subjects

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