Your Path to Healthy Living and a Healthy Life

Leaky Gut: A Growing Concern

by Dr John Yim

This article first appeared in the Nanaimo News Bulletin

     Grains and beans can be hazardous to your health!  This may seem almost blasphemous coming from a naturopathic physician, but for some people this statement is absolutely true.  For many susceptible individuals, the consumption of these foods can contribute to a multitude of health problems.

            The Western diet, loaded with starches and sugars can overwhelm the digestive and absorptive processes of the gut.  When incompletely digested starches and sugars travel to the colon, the bacteria and yeast that reside there think it is party time and make various alcohols and gases.

            If there is a lot of fermentation going on in the colon, some of the byproducts can backup into the small intestine causing inflammation.  This inflammation leads to widening of the gaps between the cells that line the small intestine.  This condition is commonly known as leaky gut syndrome. 

When this syndrome is present, larger molecules such as incompletely digested proteins can migrate between the cells into the blood stream.  Due to the size of the protein molecules, the immune systems thinks they are foreign and potentially harmful.  The immune system will form antibodies against the large proteins (a different antibody is formed for each different protein).

This is a big problem because these antibodies circulate through your body and anytime they encounter a protein they recognize, the antibodies surround the protein and signal other defenders to join the fight to destroy the foreign invader.

Unfortunately, the plant proteins that enter the body through a leaky gut can have similarities with proteins found on tissues in the body.  For example, some proteins found in grains and beans can resemble proteins found on joint linings, parts of the kidneys, the insulation around nerves, the insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas, the retina of the eyes, the lining of the gut and so on.

In an effort to get rid of the foreign proteins, the immune system can mistakenly attack the body proteins that look similar.  This can lead to allergic or autoimmune conditions such as Crohn’s disease, colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, asthma, eczema, thyroid conditions, glomerulonephritis, and many others.

Anyone dealing with allergies or autoimmune problems should try eliminating all grains and beans from the diet for at least two weeks and see if the symptoms improve.  If the symptoms improve, re-introduce the foods that have been eliminated, one at a time to identify which foods specifically aggravate the symptoms.

Grains and beans are normally considered staples in a healthy diet, but in some people they can lead to leaky gut syndrome.  A naturopathic physician can help with dietary changes and give suggestions to heal the leaky gut and alleviate any associated symptoms.

Copyright Meza Health Systems, Inc.

This article is for informational purposes only not for diagnosis.  If you are concerned about your health contact Dr. Yim to arrange an appointment.  250-755-1930.