Before we discuss leaky gut syndrome (LGS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) we need to understand a little more about the small and large intestines. The primary function of the intestines is to determine which food compounds should be deemed important for absorption and which ones should be eliminated via the feces. The collective term is that the intestines should be considered a selectively permeable membrane.
The example that comes to mind is a trip to our airports where the TSA determines who is eligible to board an airplane and who does not. At the airport, we have to go through several procedures to determine our ability to pass all checkpoints, baggage, ID, proper boarding pass, metal and chemical detectors and etc. You get the picture, we have all been there! Well, your intestines have several procedures or “check points” as well.
Some interesting facts about the intestines also sheds more light on the importance of the intestines. The average length of the small intestines in men is 23 1/4 ft. and in women 22 1/2 feet. The large intestine is about 5 ft. in length. The lining of the small intestine is filled with velvety projections called villi (see side picture). The surface area with the villi is equivalent to the size of a tennis court! That is a huge exposure of our body to the food we eat that contains so many natural, artificial chemicals, fibers, bacteria and other microorganisms.
So what exactly is leaky gut and irritable bowel syndromes? Well, LGS is a condition in which the intestines become inflamed and damaged allowing larger molecules and possibly certain microorganisms to pass through the intestines and into the blood stream. The “weakening” of the lining of the intestines can also cause the white blood cells lining the intestines to become over activated sending chemical messengers throughout the entire immune system of the body. It is estimated that about 60- 70% of the entire immune system is located in the intestinal tract alone!
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is confined more to the large intestine. It is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the U.S. demonstrate some symptoms of IBS. Most people develop IBS as a teenager or in early adulthood and often after an infection in the bowels or after stressful events.
IBS is characterized by alternations of loose bowels and constipation. It also is accompanied by pain, bloating, mucous in stools, urgency for a bowel movement and a feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement.
MECHANISM OF LEAKY GUT SYNDROME (LGS)
The list of potential symptoms resulting from LGS is long and widespread. The reasons for this has to do with the mechanism of LGS. Many compounds cause a weakening of the protein structures that connect each cell that lines the intestines and they are referred to as tight junctions. Once these tight junctions are “broken down” this allows the compounds to interact with the white blood cells that make up the immune system called gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The GALT tissue causes local inflammation of the intestines and sends chemical messengers to other remote parts of the immune system causing inflammation in areas such as the brain, bronchioles, muscles, joints and etc. Furthermore, some of these compounds pass through completely to the lymphatic and/or blood stream and are spread throughout the entire body to cause direct tissue damage/inflammation. LGS is a major contributing factor to the predisposition of inflammatory diseases of the bowels and the human body. Some in the medical community realize that intestinal permeability can be compromised, but do not accept the idea that LGS can be an important mechanism leading to inflammatory diseases. However, there is rapidly mounting scientific studies that demonstrates that such activity is taking place in the gut and is having a significant effect on health throughout the body.SYMPTOMS OF LGS AND IBS
Many of the following symptoms are due to antigens/ proteins, poor food choices, pathogens, toxins, medications and neurotransmitter imbalances. LGS can lead to:- Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas and indigestion
- Allergies, asthma, shortness of breath, rashes, acne, eczema
- Chronic muscle/joint pain, fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue
- Anxiety, aggressive behavior, poor memory, confusion, fuzzy or foggy thinking, nervousness, mood swings
- Poor immunity, recurrent vaginal, bladder and other infections