Leaky Gut Syndrome in People and Animals

Leaky Gut Considerations

Leaky Gut Syndrome ...

Leaky gut syndrome is a very common (often undiagnosed) condition in which the lining of the small intestine becomes inflamed. This inflammation can be caused by many different things, including the following:

Alcohol and/or drinks containing caffeine.
Overuse of antibiotics resulting in destruction of the “good” bacteria in the intestines.
Foods contaminated by certain bacteria or parasites.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen.
Consumption of large quantities of highly refined carbohydrates, (sugar and processed flour).

Inflammation causes damage to the tissue, resulting in excess permeability and unusually large spaces between the cells of the mucosal lining, which allows bacteria, viruses, fungi and other potentially toxic materials to enter the bloodstream. The widened spaces can also allow undigested food particles to “leak” through the intestinal lining. This could pose a serious health risk since these particles may be considered “foreign” by the body and the immune system may try to destroy them.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease ...

This category represents two different gastrointestinal diseases that are medically grouped together under the heading of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. They include Ulcerative Colitis, which affects the large intestine, and Crohn’s Disease, which can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. Depending upon where Crohn’s disease manifests, it can also be called regional enteritis, terminal ileitis, or granulomatous colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a severe inflammation of the mucosal lining of the colon. When the condition flares, it can be extremely painful and the individual experiences severe diarrhea. One triggering factor is believed to be infection of the colon with E. coli.

Crohn’s Disease is thought to involve infection with a microorganism known as Mycobacterium Para tuberculosis, although there may be many other causes. Most people with Crohn’s disease suffer gastrointestinal distress, persistent diarrhea and weight loss due to poor absorption of nutrients. These individuals are also much more susceptible to infections in the gastrointestinal tract.

Pets suffering from these conditions usually benefit significantly from high quality bovine colostrum supplementation like our NZYMES® Pet Colostrum

There are several reasons for this:

Dairy cows are usually exposed to pathogenic forms of both F. coli and to Mycobacterium Para tuberculosis. The cows’ immune systems then produce specific antibodies for both of these antigens, which are passed on to us in high quality bovine colostrum;
The broad diversity of other antibodies in colostrum (particularly IgA) protect against further infection;
The growth factors in bovine colostrum induce repair of damaged tissues, sometimes significantly reversing the condition all together.

Also, a diagnosis that must be consdered in IBS/IBD cases is:
Click here: Division of Parasitic Diseases - Cryptosporidium Infection

Cryptosporidiosis...

What is Cryptosporidiosis?
Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrhea disease caused by microscopic parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium. Once an animal or person is infected, the parasite lives in the intestine and passes in the stool. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants. Both the disease and the parasite are commonly known as "crypto."

During the past two decades, crypto has become recognized as one of the most common causes of waterborne disease within humans in the United States. The parasite may be found in drinking water and recreational water in every region of the United States and throughout the world.

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Related Symptoms with Increased Permeability...

Fatigue and malaise
Arthralgias
Myalgias
Fevers of unknown origin
Food intolerances
Abdominal pain and distention
Diarrhoea
Skin rashes
Toxic feelings
Cognitive memory deficits
Shortness of breath
Poor exercise tolerance

Related Conditions with Increased Permeability...

things to consider WITH LEAKY GUT SYNDROME:

Many of the pathogens that make us sick enter the body through the food we eat. This means that an individual with leaky gut syndrome is much more vulnerable to infection than some one with a healthy small intestine.

Besides the products in the NZYMES® Yeast-Kits, our NEW NZYMES® Pet Colostrum can be of substantial value in this regard. As discussed earlier, the immune factors in bovine colostrum contain a number of antibodies that bind to invading microorganisms and hold them in check while they are destroyed by white blood cells. The most important of these antibodies are of the IgA type. Not only do they attach themselves to an invading microorganism but they are also able to stick to tissues, making it easier for white blood cells to destroy the immobilized pathogen. The process of destroying invading microorganisms is aided by other substances present in colostrum. These include lactoferrin and transferrin, which capture the iron required by some bacteria to reproduce. Also, several enzymes in colostrum are capable of eating holes in the walls of various microorganisms.

The growth factors in colostrum are also of substantial benefit in leaky gut syndrome. It is well documented that growth hormone and the IGF super-family of proteins aid in the proliferation of new cells. These and other factors in colostrum can actually help repair the damaged mucosal tissues. Recent studies have documented how the use of bovine colostrum reduces excess permeability caused by the use of NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The repair of the mucosal lining may also decrease the severity of some food allergies - especially those that are associated with undigested food particles leaking into the bloodstream.

Repairing the intestinal damage caused by leaky gut syndrome can also improve nutrient uptake. Leaky gut syndrome results in significant mineral deficiencies because carrier proteins are damaged by the same inflammatory process that injures the mucosal lining. These carrier proteins are the means by which many of the essential minerals are absorbed. The lactoferrin and transferrin found in high quality colostrum serve as effective carrier proteins for iron and copper. This is why many who have trouble with anemia find help when taking colostrum. In addition, the casein in complete colostrum is a carrier protein for calcium, allowing it to be effectively absorbed. Since the absorption of nutrients is so important to so many functions in the body, the resolution of leaky gut syndrome can have positive effects on many other conditions.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This category represents two different gastrointestinal diseases that are medically grouped together under the heading of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. They include Ulcerative Colitis, which affects the large intestine, and Crohn’s Disease, which can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. Depending upon where Crohn’s disease manifests, it can also be called regional enteritis, terminal ileitis, or granulomatous colitis.

Pets suffering from either of these conditions usually benefit significantly from high quality bovine colostrum supplementation like our NZYMES® Pet Colostrum

What is Cryptosporidiosis?
Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium. Once an animal or person is infected, the parasite lives in the intestine and passes in the stool. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine- based disinfectants. Both the disease and the parasite are commonly known as "crypto."

Gastric Ulcers
An ulcer is any kind of open sore in or on the body. Gastrointestinal ulcers are common in the stomach and duodenum where the lining of these organs is continually exposed to highly acidic conditions. Once the lining is compromised, an open wound can develop, causing the surrounding tissues to become swollen and irritated as well. The most common symptom of gastric ulcers is a gnawing pain after eating or when the stomach is empty, particularly at night.

We usually think of ulcers as resulting from great emotional stress, but there are many physical contributing factors as well. Recent evidence indicates that one of these factors is a common type of bacteria, Helicobacter pylori. This microorganism is almost always found in those who have ulcers and also in people with some forms of gastrointestinal cancer.

Luckily, recent studies have also identified a glycoprotein in colostrum that prevents Helicobacter pylori from attaching to the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the antibodies in colostrum can fight the other pathogens that may irritate an ulcer. Then growth factors in complete colostrum can actually induce repair of the ulcerated tissue.

Leaky Gut Syndrome

August 24, 2006 PAGE UNDER CONTRUCTION