This lining has three very important jobs to do:

1. It absorbs and transports nutrients from our food across the intestinal wall.
   
   
2. It provides a protective barrier that prevents toxins, bacteria, yeast, viruses and inappropriate food molecules (like undigested proteins) from passing into the bloodstream.
   
   
3. Within this lining, over 70% of immune-producing cells are created. These cells fight off bad bacteria and viruses. So, in effect, over 70% of our immune function lives here. A compromised lining is a compromised immune function.

This intestinal lining is supposed to have small spaces between the cells. These spaces can open and close, allowing larger or smaller molecules to pass as appropriate. However, when these spaces become destroyed by inflammation, the spaces become too large.

This allows toxins and large molecules to “leak” from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. And once the intestinal lining becomes too permeable, it negatively affects all three of the important jobs this barrier is meant to do. What happens instead is the following:

1. Our body loses its ability to properly absorb nutrients which can lead to malnutrition and serious mineral deficiencies.
   
   
2. The toxins and undigested proteins that leak into the bloodstream can cause the body to trigger an IL-6 and IL-4 auto-antibody reaction where healthy tissue gets inflamed and food allergies are created.
   
   
3. The lining no longer is protected by probiotic bacteria and bad bacteria and viruses can invade the terrain.

When the lining is damaged in this way, the pathways in the gut that are meant to help detoxify the body of chemicals and environmental influences fail to do so. The liver and kidneys can then become overburdened and toxins can redistribute throughout the body and bio-accumulate in the tissue and organs. This could lead to various autoimmune symptoms and multiple chemical sensitivities.

According to an article in the Alternative Medicine Review, Vol. 2, Number 5, conditions and symptoms known to be associated with leaky gut include, but are not limited to:

• Lupus
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Food allergies
• Fibromyalgia
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Sluggish thyroid

• Crohn’s
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Skin eruptions, psoriasis and eczema
• Celiac Disease
• Symptoms along the autistic spectrum
• Candida albicans

• Food and chemical sensitivities
• Abdominal pain and distension
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Chronic pain
• Brain fog
• Shortness of breath

1. Medications: NSAIDs and antibiotics – These are some of the main culprits in damaging the intestinal lining. Millions of people believe these to be harmless, but unfortunately they can have severe gastric side effects.
   
   According to Dr. Leo Galland, “Chronic exposure to NSAIDs (like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and nabumetone) produces a chronic state of intestinal hyper-permeability associated with inflammation. And antibiotics kill off the natural microflora in the intestinal tract which would normally protect the intestinal lining from overgrowth of yeast and negative bacteria.
   
   
2. Alcohol –Ethanol has a damaging effect on the lining of the small intestine.
   
   
3. Viral, fungal and bacterial infections – Infections like the stomach flu, food poisoning and traveler’s diarrhea can damage this lining.
   
   
4. Parasites
   
   
5. Refined foods, sugar and high fructose corn syrup – In the absence of friendly bacteria, a diet with high levels of sugar and starches will enhance yeast infections and overgrowth. These foods, at high levels, will ultimately compromise immune function.
   
   
6. Stress chemicals – high levels of cortisol and other stress chemicals lead to an inflammatory state which can inflame the intestinal lining.
   
   
7. The cumulative toxin burden of heavy metals, chemicals, food additives, plastics, chlorine, fluoride, etc.
   
   
8. Emotional trauma – like a death, divorce, loss of a job.
   
   
9. Surgery

Of course, the most important question is, “What can be done about a leaky gut?” The good news is that under normal conditions, the mucosal lining replaces itself faster than almost any other part of the body. Old cells are sloughed off and new cells on the intestinal lining are generated every 3 to 6 days.

To give your body the best change for recovery, follow the 3 steps below to repair, rejuvenate and maintain the health of your intestinal tract.

This rapid cell turnover uses a lot of energy which must be provided by eating highly nutritional food. If the diet is primarily one of refined carbohydrates, sugary foods, packaged foods, junk foods, processed foods, sodas, etc, the intestinal lining will not have the energy necessary to regenerate itself. And, these foods will feed the yeast and fungus in the gut that will sustain this compromised terrain.

A basic healthy diet would include 5 to 8 servings of fresh fruits and mainly vegetables daily, high quality protein from organic (if possible) sources of fresh fish, chicken, eggs, healthy fats such as coconut oil and olive oil. Avoid polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as corn oil, safflower oil and refined, bleached and deodorized supermarket oils.

Avoid refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame (Nutrasweet®), white flour and preservatives.

A. Bioactive Peptide Protein from White Fish

Hydrolized white fish protein is pre-digested by the fish’s own enzymes from the amino acid level to the peptide protein level. This peptide molecule of protein is then available to be absorbed into the intestinal lining where it may help to restore and repair tissue.

n random, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies performed on patients with Leaky Gut Syndrome and an irritable bowel, the patients were given 3 grams of pre-digested white fish protein per day. In six weeks, the symptoms disappeared and the bowel was strengthened in every patient by 79 percent.

B. L-Glutamine Amino Acid

L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in the body, making up approximately 60% of its total free form amino acids. It is the only amino that contains 2 atoms of nitrogen. This extra nitrogen is available to promote the
increased synthesis of muscle tissue.

Glutamine has been shown to feed the cells that line the intestinal tract. This is very important in that this is where we break down and absorb the fuel to make muscles grow. It is also the first line of defense against microbes that can invade our bodies.

Glutamine has been shown to increase the amount of friendly bifido and lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria in the gut. This is quite significant because it prevents the hyperpermeability of the lining of the gut called "leaky gut" which is one of the leading cause of allergies and other autoimmune symptoms.

C. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice

Studies have shown that DGL Licorice helps relieve stomach discomfort immediately. It provides soothing relief for your digestive tract and stomach lining.

There have been other studies showing that DGL helps to improve the quality of the protective substances which line the intestinal tract, thereby increasing the life span of the intestinal cells and improving blood flow to the intestinal lining.

It has also been shown that the flavonoids present in DGL inhibit the growth of H. pylori, in vitro. The following two studies showed DGL to be an effective anti-ulcer compound:

1) Morgan AG, McAdam WA Pacsco C, Darnborough A "Comparison between cimetidine and Caved-Sin the treatment of gastric ulceration, and
subsequent maintenance therapy." 1982 Jun 23(6): 545-51

2) Morgan AG Pacsco C. McAdam WA "Maintenance therapy: a two year comparison between Caved-S and cimetidine treatment in the prevention of
symptomatic gastric ulcer recurrence." Gut 1985 Jun 26(6): 599-602

Colostrum is rich in natural immunoglobulins that support healthy functioning of the intestinal immune system. Colostrum also helps prevent damage to the intestinal lining caused by NSAIDs.

Colostrum should be processed fresh, and never exposed
to high heat. 100% pure colostrum should be free of any additives such as whey powder or magnesium stearate and free of antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, and other pathogens.

Decreasing the toxic load in the intestines can be achieved by an implementation of a healthy alkaline diet as mentioned above, reducing harmful medications (if possible), and then removing toxic heavy metals and chemicals from the body, which serve to help candida, pathogens and parasites proliferate.

nfrared Saunas have an excellent reputation for removing both toxic metals and chemicals from the body. They are a wonderful addition to other natural chelators, especially for removing chemicals that one is exposed to on a daily basis. One drawback is that they are expensive ($3,500 and up), or require visits to a health care practitioner's office.