Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut Syndrome):

The small intestine is the place where digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats is completed. Normally, there is selectivity in what nutrients are carried across the intestinal cells into the circulation. This selective barrier can be compromised when there is inflammation and irritation in the gastrointestinal cells. This inflammation may be due to the presence of yeast or undesirable bacteria, which damage the epithelial cells and provoke an immune response, which causes further swelling, and damage. This damage destroys the selective barrier of the small intestine and creates the ability of partially digested food material to permeate the circulation provoking further immune responses and systemic problems. This is also the cause for multiple food allergies and chemical sensitivities.

Clinical significance

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Inflammatory joint disease
• Food allergies
• Celiac disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Reiter’s syndrome
• Chronic dermatological conditions
• Schizophrenia
• Multiple chemical sensitivities