Gut

Leaky gut

The gut has developed powerful mechanisms to defend the body against invading antigens derived from food, bacteria, parasites, toxins and other compounds. Its outer cell lining, the epithelium, constitutes the inner surface of the body that is highly permeable in most parts of the gut, in particular the small intestine.

When the gut lining is damaged through stress, neurological conditions, medication or poor diet, e.g. inflammatory allergens such as wheat, gap junctions in the lining allow toxins to pass through and be picked up by immune cells. This is called leaky gut. The immune cells then launch an inflammatory response which is where the bowel becomes irritated.

Chronic inflammation in the gut can lead to constipation or diarrhoea, gas, bloating and abdominal pain, as well as extraintestinal symptoms like skin rashes, muscle and joint pain, and even depression. This systemic inflammatory response then leads to the development of autoimmunity. Leaky gut and bad gut bacteria are common because of the modern lifestyle.

Gut-brain axis

The gut has a nervous system of its own called the enteric nervous system, which has about as many neurons as the spinal cord. The gut also contains the largest immune system of the body, collectively called gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) that continuously surveys antigens passing through the gut.

The GALT works hand-in-hand with enteric nervous system, the endocrine (hormone) system, as well as the spinal cord to set up a powerful local defence system. The brain is advised about the actions of this defence system by activity in the spinal cord.

As the brain adapts to stress and the environment, so too does the behaviour of the gut. When the gut becomes more damaged and permeable to toxins, the brain changes, and its top-down emotional and cognitive control is disrupted. People can experience more sensitivity to pain, stress, and anxiety as the gut changes.

Resolving health problems in one system usually requires simultaneous effort in another. For example, upper cervical disturbance can contribute to loss of vagal tone affecting gut function. Gut dysbiosis, or leaky gut, can create inflammatory conditions that affect other systems of the body, leading to pain and ill health.