HIDDEN CAUSES OF GI DYSFUNCTION
Chris D. Meletis, ND (with permission from cpmedical.net, access pin: 587556)
Often, in the absence of overt disease, the extent of an individual’s colon-supporting supplement regimen consists exclusively of consuming a good probiotic. Yet, in order for the good bacteria found in probiotics to flourish in the colonic environment, there are other steps we need to take to ensure our gut is hospitable to the friendly bacteria our bodies need to thrive—regardless of whether an individual is healthy or whether that individual suffers from irritable bowel syndrome or another gastrointestinal disease. The colon is essentially our body’s compost pile, used to nurture our garden of friendly flora.
There are two often-overlooked aspects of gut health that are essential to keeping our colon healthy and to ensure it remains a hospitable environment where good bacteria can thrive. First, gut health is linked to a substance called butyrate. If the intestine isn’t working at its optimal best, levels of butyrate can undergo a decline, putting individuals at risk for colon cancer. Butyrate levels are closely tied to the health of the intestine and to levels of friendly flora found in the gut.
A second aspect of gut health is known as intestinal permeability. This can be a huge factor, even in seemingly healthy individuals. Intestinal permeability refers to the potential for nutrients and bacteria to escape through a weakened intestinal wall. When intestinal permeability is increased, food and nutrient absorption is impaired. Dysfunction in intestinal permeability can result in leaky gut syndrome, where larger molecules in the intestines pass through into the blood. This can trigger immediate damage and immune system reactions since these large molecules are perceived as foreign. Progressive damage occurs to the intestinal lining, eventually allowing disease-causing bacteria, undigested food particles, and toxins to pass directly into the bloodstream.
Dysfunctions in intestinal permeability are associated not only with intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease, but also with chronic fatigue syndrome, psoriasis, food allergies, autoimmune disease and arthritis. Impaired intestinal permeability also occurs in patients undergoing chemotherapy and in heart disease patients.
I briefly discussed intestinal permeability in my last article on GI health. In this article, I will go into further detail about this damaging aspect of intestinal health and explain how increasing butyrate can be a powerful tool in not only restoring ideal colon function but also improving energy levels and the overall health of the body.
