Is your bowel leaking? Leaky Gut Syndrome

What is leaky gut?

The occurrence of leaky gut is not the food that comes out of the intestines. It is the poison or any substance that should be excreted through the feces normally. Instead, it is absorbed and escapes through the space between the endothelial cells enters the circulatory system and those toxins will be transported throughout the body, causing various diseases or uncomfortable symptoms such as abnormal gas in the gastrointestinal tract, frequent abdominal pain, flatulence, and indigestion on a regular basis easily tired. Both getting enough rest, having rashes, itching, allergies, headaches, or joint pains of unknown cause unusually easy weight gain

What is the cause?

Normally, the intestinal endothelial cells are aligned together in an orderly manner called "Tight Junctions" that control the passage of substances and prevent toxins, pathogens, or foreign matter from entering the intestinal endothelial cells directly into the bloodstream but when the intestinal endothelial cells become inflamed (Inflammation) and damage to tight junctions, causing gaps between intestinal endothelial cells, thus losing the ability to control the passage of substances such as toxins, allergens and pathogens can therefore escape through these gaps directly into the bloodstream. The increase in these gaps is called "Leaky Gut Syndrome" or "Leaky Gut Syndrome", the body has to accelerate the immune system to resist these foreign things. Until causing problems with chronic inflammation repeatedly and becoming a subsequent illness. Leaky gut is caused by an imbalance of good bacteria in the gut.

Which causes the balance of good microorganisms is

behavioral aspects, whether chronic stress, anxiety, not getting enough rest, smoking, drinking alcohol

eating food, processed food, junk food, eating food that we are allergic to but unaware of (hidden food allergy), food that is high in starch and sugar but low in fiber. Which in addition to causing the body to create so much acid that it destroys the intestinal wall. It is also a source of food for more and more pathogenic microorganisms. These pathogenic microorganisms will eventually release toxins to disrupt the intestinal wall until it leaks.

taking certain medicines, especially antibiotics (Antibiotics), antimicrobial medicine, all kinds of disinfectants such as Amoxicillin Norfloxacin Erythromycin and Tetracycline etc. These medicines will destroy all types of microorganisms. The result is loss of the balance of good microbes that act as a protective barrier for the intestinal wall when the intestinal wall is weakened and will be more prone to leaky gut. At the same time, remember the painkillers and anti-inflammatory NSAIDs such as Indomethacin, Naproxen and Ibuprofen, which have an irritating effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa and can destroy the barrier between intestinal mucosa cells. Allows toxins and pathogens that are contaminated in food to easily pass through the gap into the bloodstream.

Warning signs

There are many studies looking at the link between leaky gut and various chronic diseases. The researchers found that Intestinal mucosal permeability is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and autoimmune diseases. Self (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; SLE) Rheumatoid Arthritis multiple sclerosis, asthma, and etc.

Symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract include food intolerance reactions. This is an important indicator of leaky gut. It does not show a severe allergic reaction immediately after eating but there are often only mild symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, distension, indigestion, or diarrhea alternating with constipation on a regular basis, etc.

Skin symptoms such as hives, red rashes, itching, chronic dermatitis intermittently, and chronic inflammatory acne that cannot be cured.

Respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, itchy nose, swollen throat, cough, asthma, and difficulty breathing

Neurological symptoms, such as headaches of unknown cause migraine headache, slower decision-making, and decreased concentration

Other symptoms such as fatigue easily, exhaustion even after sleeping for a long time, cold hands and feet (not caused by drugs and other diseases), unusually easy weight gain, symptoms in the group of autoimmune diseases (Autoimmune Disease), and etc.

These seemingly innocuous initial symptoms may also be caused by leaky gut. It was found that when curing leaky gut such symptoms can be mitigated, which if these symptoms intensify until they begin to interfere with daily life. It is advisable to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and further treatment.

How to have a good gut?

Remove eliminates the cause of leaky gut
In terms of food, refrain from processed food, junk food, refrain from eating foods that we are allergic to but
unaware of (hidden food allergy), and foods that are high in starch and sugar but low in fiber.

Reduce the use of antibiotics (Antibiotics), painkillers, anti-inflammatory medicine, and NSAIDs when there is no reason to use them.

Behavioral, reduce stress because when we are stressed, the body will secrete some hormones, which affects the body in many ways. Including affecting the work of the intestines as well as avoiding drinking alcohol and smoking.

2. Rebalance adjusts the balance of bacteria in the intestines.
By adding good microorganisms such as probiotics, which probiotics are located on the surface of the intestinal tract. It will help prevent germs from inserting into the bloodstream, kill bad germs, and stimulate immunity (leukocytes) in the lymphatic tissue under the intestine to work better. It is a link to the immune system, both lungs and skin. Foods that are high in probiotics such as yogurt, vegetables, fruits, beans, rice and whole grains, etc.

3. Replenish, supplemented with vitamins, minerals, amino acids.
Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, amino acids, glutamine, omega-3, these all contribute to the immune process. For example, foods such as gourd, pumpkin, corn, papaya, eggs, peanuts, morning glory, spinach, cabbage, seaweed, tomatoes, guava, passion fruit, milk, and etc.

Thai herbs that help boost immunity are Triphala, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research said, Triphala has body nourishing properties balancing all 4 elements, stimulating the immune system well. When tested in the laboratory, it was found that it has anti-inflammatory effect, helps heal wounds, slows down cell degeneration, and antioxidant

4. Restore the immune system
Getting enough sleep, quality sleep improves the immune system. Exercise stimulates the immune system to

work more efficiently. Relaxing the mind, not stress, because stress can destroy the immune system and cause other uncomfortable symptoms. Doing activities that result in a relaxed state of mind, such as playing sports, reading books, listening to music, and etc.

Finally, the discomfort will not disappear in a day or two but requires modification of our own behavior because we are our own best doctors, I hope everyone is healthy.                                                                                                                                     

Thanks for the information: Samitivej Hospital, Mahidol University