Why is our intestinal mucosa so important?
Your intestinal mucosa is the partition between the outside and the inside world of your body. It is important that the quality of your intestinal mucosa is optimal. It protects your immune system because your inner world is sterile and you want to keep it that way. Leaky gut is not a condition or disease, but a symptom that has several causes and consequences. It is not the case that you can treat a leaky gut with a product. You have to find the cause, so that the intestinal wall can recover.
Leaky Gut
A leaky gut is not in itself a disease, but a symptom that has various causes and consequences. It is not the case that one product can treat a leaky gut. Of course there are products that can support recovery., but you need to find the cause first, so that you can then specifically repair the intestinal wall.
Between the cells of the intestinal wall are narrow channels. The intestinal cells contain special proteins that act like muscles and cause the channels to open or close. These structures are called Tight Junctions and are present in both the small and large intestine. When the function of the Tight Junctions is impaired, there is a decrease in useful substances and an increase in the passage of unwanted molecules. One component of the Tight Junctions is zonulin. Zonulin is a haemoglobin-binding protein discovered in 2000 by Alessio Fasano. The action of zonulin is complex and not fully understood, but it is known to play a key role in the permeability of the intestinal wall.
which factors influence your intestinal mucosa?
A leaky gut is largely caused by a decrease in healthy bacteria and a less diverse gut flora. Intestinal bacteria decrease in type and number through use of antibiotics, chemicals, painkillers (NSAIDs), even the anti-conception pill and artificial nutrients. Even in a world of excess, the intestinal bacteria do not get enough to eat. A lack of fibre-rich food and also low food intake during illness or after surgery greatly reduces intestinal flora. We are less exposed to micro-organisms through hygiene measures and the use of soap and disinfectants.
Exorphins or anti-nutrients
Nutrition in particular has a major influence on the health of the intestinal mucosa. A group of foods that we call exorphins or anti-nutrients (wheat, gluten, milk, lactose, soya, sugar and spinach) can damage the intestinal lining. How? We simply eat them too often and too much. This can deplete the enzyme reserves over the years. A huge number of enzymes are needed to digest gliadins, avenins, lactose, milk proteins and other exorphin proteins. The enzymes are needed to split and break down the proteins. If you ultimately lack enzymes, these undigested proteins will enter the intestines. This can also cause you to become sensitive to these foods. These proteins are very hard and can pierce the intestinal lining. They are not broken down for nothing. With the leaks created by these undigested proteins, not only do these proteins enter the bloodstream, but also pathogens such as bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses. Normally, the mucous membrane acts as a barrier for these pathogens.
Do you have a (semi-) leaky gut?
Have it tested and get help from an orthomolecular practitioner
Can you get sick from a leaky gut?
A leaky gut plays an important role in the development of health complaints and disease. These diseases and disorders include gluten and milk intolerances, but also Crohn’s disease and Colitis Ulcerosa. It may also cause obesity, a disturbed blood sugar level so insulin problems and an increase in TNF-a.
The treatment
Curing a leaky gut has two main pillars. First of all, one needs to adjust the diet, removing the triggers for the immune system. In addition, some supplements are needed that can help heal the intestinal wall. By doing an EMB Blood Test or a Vitalfeld Bodyscan, disturbances can be detected after which advice on the right diet and supplements and help in repairing the mucous membranes can be given by Nutriswitch, practice for orthomolecular therapy.
Read the reviews of Nutriswitch to see what others have experienced.
Source: Nutriswitch
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