Leaky Gut
Leaky Gut has become sort of a buzz word in the wellness community; but what does that really mean? Okay, so obviously we know what leaky means, and we are pretty sure what our “gut” is, but do we we really know what is happening within our bodies when we have “Leaky Gut”?
Barrier Systems
Our body has multiple barrier systems: Our external skin, our internal skins (think mucous membranes in the respiratory system, the resproductive system, and the digestive system) as well as the Blood-Brain barrier. These barrier systems have the common goal of being selectively permeable which means that they let through the things that SHOULD be coming into the body, and refuses entry to those microorganisms that should be kept OUT of the body. So these barrier systems play a very important role in our overall wellbeing.
A Deeper Look
The Gut part of leaky “Gut” specifically refers to the Small Intestine, which is where our body does the majority of its nutrient absorption. The wall of the small intestine is lined with folds that are covered in small finger-like projections called villi. Think of the villi as a shag rug with all the long fibers extending out. Those villi are made up of many cells that are packed tightly together. The cells are like bricks with tight gap junctions which is like the mortar in between the bricks. When functioning optimally, the system should keep the gut wall strong and selectively permeable. There are some foods, as well as lifestyle habits that can degrade these tight gap junctions. Gluten is one the most common foods that degrades the tight gap junctions, because it triggers a protein called Zonulin to increase. Zonulin is the protein that can be tested in blood serum levels to check into the health of the small intestine. Interestingly enough, Zonulin can also break down the tight gap junctions in the Blood-Brain Barrier as well. Pretty scary stuff, right? Chances are good, that if one barrier system isn’t functioning properly, that they are all out of whack.
So, our tight gap junctions begin to break down, which compromises the selective permeability of the gut. When we take in food, it is processed in the stomach and eventually makes it way into the small intestine, where it SHOULD be broken down into single molecules, by means of mechanical & chemical processing. Often times, many of us who have compromised digestion, have food particulate that enter into the small intestine without being properly broken down. These chains of molecules are then able to make their way though the compromised wall of the small intestine, the leaky gut, and enter into the bloodstream. Here they are perceived as foreign invaders, as they are not the singular molecules our bodies are used to recognizing. Once these molecules are in the bloodstream, they can begin to wreak all sorts for havoc!
At what CONSEQUENCES
First and foremost, leaky gut puts a strain on the Liver. The exterior of our small intestine is continuously being washed by blood that is then shunted to the liver for cleansing, processing and distribution. When our liver has to work through these chains of molecules instead of singular molecules, it places more burden on the liver, distracting it from its other very important tasks. For more on the roles the liver plays in our wellness, click here.
Due to the fact that these molecules are “foreign” to our bodies, the immune system launches an attack. When the immune system mounts an “attack” we experience inflammation. Now consider this in a long term perspective. We eat to live, so we are consuming food regularly. As food passes through a leaky gut, those molecule chains are consistently leaking into the bloodstream, the immune system is constantly on the attack, and our body enters into a state of chronic inflammation. Yikes!
We also have to consider the way some of those specific proteins behave when they are allowed into places they shouldn’t be. Gluten and Casein are noteworthy, and most commonly consumed as Gluten comes from wheat and it’s derivatives; Casein is a protein that comes from dairy.
The Gut Brain Axis
Gluten and Casein both have this way of permeating the blood brain barrier (just like the leaky gut couldn’t keep them in, the blood-brain barrier can’t keep them out). When they are in the brain, they sit in the same receptors as opiates. Um, What the…?!
Quick Side Bar: An opiate 1s a narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) that, when activated, depresses the Central Nervous System and blocks pain messages from being received by the brain. Opiates can sometimes induce euphoria by affecting the regions that mediate pleasure and feelings of warmth and drowsiness are common. Stress is often decreased because of the detachment from pain, desires and activities. Super powerful stuff, and it is common knowledge that opiates can become very addicting.
Now back to gluten and casein: so those molecules sit in those same receptors, blocking those spots, and activating them! As they camp there, they actively make you crave MORE of that substance. Now, right here, this is the thing for me: I don’t really want to be consuming foods that are altering my brain chemistry, until I know my gut is healed; which will in turn support the healing of my other barrier systems.
Gluten & your mental Health
Gluten takes things a step farther, adding insult to injury. There is a phenomenon in the body called Cellular Mimicry. What happens is certain molecules that enter into the body, can appear very similar to tissues we rely on in our bodies. When Gluten is present in places it shouldn’t be, the body attacks as we mentioned above. Unfortunately, gluten cells look very similar to our brain cells, often times resulting in the immune system going after anything that LOOKS like a gluten cell. Inadvertantly, taking down brain cells in the crossfire. For this reason, it is noted that there is a direct link between Gluten intake and decreased mental health, but this is all made possible by the occurrence of Leaky Gut.
Posted: May 5th 2022