ALLERGIES AND THE LEAKY GUT
by London Acupuncture Practitioner Roisin Golding
I've often heard patients say "I like peppers (or other foods) but peppers don't like me." I have to say they are wrong. Food stuffs are totally neutral species. Our gut, on the other hand, could be considered a xenophobe of the first order. It doesn't like anything or anyone but ourselves.
The human body differentiates between what belongs to it and what belongs to, for instance, a chicken or a banana. It welcomes essential nutrients, such as amino acids, but if tiny molecules of the piece of chicken from which the amino acids were derived get through, it mobilizes the considerable armoury of our defence system, and attacks. This is the immune response.
There is no doubt that there is a growing incidence of allergies, auto-immune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis) and new syndromes, such as irritable bowel. And yet many of these disorders could have a common root -- the leaky intestine.
One function of the gut is to allow nutrients to be absorbed by the body. In a sense the healthy gut 'leaks' these nutrients out, as though the gut wall is composed of fine muslin. But a leaky gut is more like a sieve, the holes are much bigger than they should be, so that larger food molecules fall through without first being broken down.
Through the blood, any organ or system can be affected by this problem, giving rise to a host of symptoms. These include multiple allergies, bloated stomach, flu or post-viral type symptoms (tiredness, aching muscles, headaches, insomnia), arthritis, eczema, irritable bowel, mood and memory disorders and worse still, any of the auto-immune disorders.
So how does our gut become leaky (hyper-permeable)?
It appears to be a thoroughly modern problem and in a sense we're victims of our own progress.
Several medicines drastically alter the normal functioning of our digestive system and cause inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID's), e.g. aspirin and ibuprofen (Neurofen), while anti-inflammatory at sites such as the joints, paradoxically produce inflammation in the intestines.
Antibiotics, another culprit, destroy the rich protective coating provided by bacteria in the intestines. They leave the way open for unhealthy bacteria and fungus, such as Candida, to multiply. Candida spores actually penetrate the intestinal wall. Bacteria and other toxins can then easily permeate the inflamed intestinal barrier. The breakdown of proteins into their constituent amino acids requires an acidic stomach. Antacids are therefore counterproductive, leading to larger protein molecules entering and passing through the intestines, setting up allergic responses. This unnaturally alkaline stomach also prevents the absorption of iron and calcium further down the digestive tract.
Harmful bacteria and yeast love sugar and hate insoluble fibre, as this binds and removes bacteria, toxins and other debris from the digestive system. Of course an untreated inflamed digestive tract, for example in Coeliac's disease or colitis, will also cause hyper-permeability, although there is growing suspicion that hyper-permeability itself could be the cause of these illnesses. Pesticides on foods and chemicals fed to farm animals, can also be damaging.
Once you have a leaky bowel, and this can be tested for through a urine test, the PolyethelyneGlycol Test (PEG test), there is much you can do to remedy it. However, because you are likely have many symptoms which require treatment, I strongly recommend that you see a practitioner, for example, a nutritionist, acupuncturist or herbalist who knows about the subject, so that the complications of your illness can be dealt with, without resorting to counterproductive medicines. You could also try devil's claw or homeopathic remedies such as Rhus tox or Ruta for muscle and joint pains.
Once you've removed possible causes, you can then start to heal the intestines and provide health giving bacteria. This is done in several steps. Firstly, one should follow a diet that cuts out all sugar, including, for the first three weeks, fresh fruit. At the same time take one garlic tablet in the morning (to act as an inhibitor of the bad bacteria) and one acidophilus tablet at night, to re-establish the normal bacteria. After three weeks one should then take FructoOligoSaccharide (FOS), found in fruit and vegetables, particularly Jerusalem artichokes, and also available from health food stores. FOS feeds the healthy bacteria in the gut (the bad bacteria hates it) and actively heals the intestinal lining.
Generally, eating a healthy diet rich in fibre and low in refined sugar, and making sure, as far as possible that it is from organic sources, will help maintain intestinal integrity.
Supplementation with the essential fatty acids, Omega 3, from oily fish such as mackerel (cod liver oil is rich in Vitamins A and D but has less omega 3) and with Omega 6, from evening primrose oil, will help to heal the inflammation, within the intestines as well as around the joints and muscles. The amino acid, L-Glutamine (available in tablet form), is directly involved with healing the intestinal membrane. However, do not exceed the recommended dose, as serious mood disorders have been reported in those taking high doses.
Aloe Vera, which some recommend for gut problems, is not suitable in this case, as it is too bitter and harsh and can worsen inflammation.
