January 2018 Newsletter

Leaky Gut- Importance of Healthy Gut for Optimal Health (Part I)

Our gut - the gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important organs of our body. Digestion and absorption of food- the only source of getting essential nutrients to maintain and support life is the primary function of the gut. But there are many other important functions of the gut we are not aware of; such as:

• 80% of our immune cells reside in the gut. So a good gut healthy boosts strong immunity
• Serotonin- a very important chemical neurotransmitter involved in maintaining our mood, behavior, appetite and digestion comes mostly from the gut (90%)

There is a growing body of evidence showing a condition called leaky gut syndrome is wreaking havoc on our body. Under normal condition the gut is sealed off from external environment through a barrier called intestinal epithelium. A defect in the barrier allows noxious particle enter to the bloodstream causing inflammation and development of serious systemic disorders. This phenomena is known as leaky gut syndrome. The following are some of the diseases known to associate with leaky gut syndrome:

1. Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
2. Type I diabetes
3. Irritable bowel syndrome
4. Allergies ( Food and airborne)
5. Asthma
6. Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or celiac disease
7. Eczema and psoriasis
8. Depression
9. Chronic fatigue syndrome
10. Fibromyalgia

Risk factors for leaky gut syndrome:

Symptoms of leaky gut syndrome:

1. Chronic diarrhea, gas or bloating, some may experience constipation
2. Headache, chronic fatigue or brain fog
3. Allergies
4. Skin conditions like acne, eczema or psoriasis
5. Poor immune functions
6. Thyroid dysfunction like  hypothyroidism, impaired metabolism, fatigue, depression, weight gain
7. Arthritis
8. Depression, anxiety or ADHD
9. Poor memory

In Part II we will discuss about how to heal a leaky gut?