Leaky Gut Syndrome & Dysbiosis

The healthy gut contains approximately 400 varieties of micro-organisms which contribute to digestion, immunity, and other functions. There are about 3 pounds of these organisms in the healthy gut and they outnumber all the cells of the body. Some of these organisms are beneficial and others are harmful. It is crucial to have a proper balance between these species. An imbalance is called dysbiosis.

Dysbiosis can be caused by antibiotics, candida yeast and parasites, steroid medication, cancer therapies, chronic stress (abnormal cortisol), toxic overload and environmental contaminants, and poor food choice s such as a diet low in fiber, high in processed foods, and high in sugar.

Alterations in the bowel flora and its activities are now believed to be contributing factors in many chronic and degenerative diseases. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and AS, have all been linked to alterations in the microflora. The intestinal dysbiosis hypothesis suggests a number of factors associated with modern western living have a detrimental impact on the GI tract. Factors such as antibiotics, physical and psychological stress, and dietary components have been found to contribute to intestinal dysbiosis. If these factors can be eliminated or at least attenuated then treatment aimed at manipulating the microflora may be successful.

We are finding many microbes that don’t belong in the digestive tract. These microbes often form chemicals that are poisonous to the cells around them and to the person they live in. A wide variety of substances are produced by harmful bacteria, including ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and others. These substances produced by the bacteria may hurt the intestinal lining directly by damaging the borders and become absorbed into the blood stream causing system wide effects. They cause chronic problems which go undiagnosed and becoming deep seated in a great majority of cases. Chronic dysbiosis can lead to an irritation of the lining of the gut. This is called Leaky Gut Syndrome and can include diarrhea and constipation, joint pain and swelling, chronic or frequent periods of fatigue, food allergies or sensitivities, sinus or nasal congestion, chronic or frequent inflammations throughout the body, eczema, skin rashes, hives, asthma, mental confusion, poor memory, mood swings, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease. Published research has listed dysbiosis as contributing cause in the following disorders: rheumatoid arthritis & all autoimmune illnesses, B12 deficiency, chronic fatigue, cystic acne, early stages of colon and breast cancer, eczema, food allergies, food sensitivities, IBD (Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis), IBS, Multiple Sclerosis, Psoriasis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and fatty stools.

With a simple Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis we can ascertain exactly what is going on in your digestive tract. This will determine the levels of your bowel flora and whether leaky gut is causing any of your health problems. From there a personalized diet and nutrition program can be implemented to get you back on the road to vibrant health.

DrReuvenRosenberg@yahoo.com

© Reuven M. Rosenberg, D.C.
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