Intestinal Permeability: the Auto-Immune Connection

Intestinal Permeability: the Auto-Immune Connection Hashimoto’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohns, IBS, and many more, ….

These types of dis-ease in the body seem so different because they attack different parts of the body. However, they are all actually caused by dysfunction of the immune system – an overwrought, confused immune system. The brain, the thyroid, the skin, the joints, etc. are just the various localized battlefields of these auto-immune diseases.

With the rapid increase in exposure to processed foods, chemicals, toxins, chronic stress, GMOs, vaccine ingredients, and many other foreign molecules – usually on a daily basis – it shouldn’t be a surprise that our immune system is confused! To put AI disease in remission, we have to find out why each person’s unique immune system is overwrought and fix it. Yes, AI disease can indeed be put into long-term remission.

The true root causes of immune activation are unique for each person. Usually, it’s a small handful of triggers. Things like intestinal Yeast overgrowth, lead or arsenic toxicity, undiagnosed food sensitivities, Vitamin D deficiency, B vitamin insufficiency (which leads to poor detox capability), other nutritional deficiencies, adrenal exhaustion, and/or non-pathogenic bacterial overgrowth such as Clostridia.

There is one simple change that can begin this journey for all clients with an AI disorder. One thing all auto-immune diseases have in common. Something our clients typically won’t hear from their physicians. Intestinal permeability. Dr. Alessio Fasano has done extensive research in understanding the common link of intestinal permeability in triggering activation of AI disease.

Dr. Fasano is currently the Director of the Celiac Resarch Center as Mass General in Boston. https://vimeo.com/73894914

Yes, genetics can play a role in predisposition for certain AI disorders, but alone, genes are almost never enough to cause activation. Environment determines which of our genes “turn on”. And a primary way that our body senses and responds to our environment is in the gut.

Intestinal permeability – a.k.a. “leaky gut” – offers a short-cut for chronic inflammatory molecules in the gut (and a myriad microbial and ingested toxins) to rapidly get into our blood supply for systemic circulation. It is well-understood that some individuals are more vulnerable to leaky gut. Now at last, it’s also well-understood that gluten – the protein found in many common grains especially wheat – can trigger release of a protein in the human gut called zonulin which actually causes leaky gut.

Full gluten elimination from the diet and healing the leaky gut can be very powerful ways to break the cycle of intestinal permeability in our clients with AI disorders. It’s critical for clients to understand that the elimination must be complete (cold-turkey!) in order to yield results. Find convenient, whole-food, nutrient-dense alternatives; ask me for help. Learn to read labels and know every ingredient is 100% whole foods. Learn how to navigate family and social gatherings. Learn the foods that will have hidden gluten in them at restaurants (sauces, creams, desserts, salad dressings). Once gluten has been fully eliminated for a couple of weeks, you can then begin to heal leaky gut with supplements that include both l-glutamine (an amino acid that heals damage to the villi in the intestines) and mucilaginous herbs that repair the mucosal intestinal lining (e.g. aloe, DGL). Two easy-to-use blends of these are Metagenics Glutagenics or Designs for Health GI Revive.

There are bulk herbs, as well, that can be purchased to help heal the gut. This is a “put it together by yourself – less expensive” way to nourish the body back to health.

There will almost always be other sources of inflammation in the gut that need to be identified and resolved for full intestinal healing (If you have IBS, you should not work on healing the gut lining until the microbial imbalance is fully addressed).

Gluten free is a powerful way to get started and find some relief while the rest of the puzzle pieces are put together. Generally, l-glutamine supplements are very well-tolerated, but there are just a few considerations to ensure you know for potential contraindication.

Here is an excellent article by Dr. Joe Pizzorno summarizing the effect of Zonulin, wheat, and other foods in the etiology of autoimmune disease. This is great reading if you want to explore this topic more in-depth.

Long-term relief and remission require addressing root causes. Short-term support can help to reduce AI symptoms, especially the remedies that calm inflammation at its source and calm immune system activation at its source (in the gut).