Autoimmune diseases (AID) are diseases of the immune system. As around 80% of your immune cells are located in the gastrointestinal tract, gut health is closely linked to immune function.

Research shows that the digestive condition known as leaky gut (or intestinal permeability), is a common factor in the biological mechanism that leads to the onset of autoimmune disease.

While it is easy to make the connection between the gut and digestive conditions such as food allergies, Celiac disease, Crohns Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis, the link to autoimmune disorders such as Type 1 Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis or Rheumatoid Arthritis etc can be a little harder to grasp.

So, let’s break it down….

Firstly what exactly is the Gut?

The word gut is another way of referring to your gastrointestinal tract (GIT) or digestive system. Put simply, the gut is the passage through which food enters your body through your mouth, is digested (or broken down) in your stomach, beneficial nutrients are absorbed in your intestines (the small and large bowel) and then toxins and wastes are expelled via the rectum.

The innermost surface of the gut is known as the intestinal barrier.

This barrier is semipermeable as it allows certain substances to pass through it but not others.  It is the role of this barrier to protect the body by only allowing nutrients, water and electrolytes to cross into the blood stream while preventing undesirable substances from entering the body by retaining them in the gut to be excreted as waste.

How does the gut become leaky?

Disruption to the intestinal barrier causes damage to the tight bonds that hold the cells of the gastrointestinal lining together. When these bonds are broken, gaps form in the lining allowing contents of the gut to pass through into the body via bloodstream. This is known as increased intestinal permeability or leaky gut.

In leaky gut, pathogens, toxins, partially digested food and bacteria are able to leak through the gaps between the cells and enter the body. When these substances leak through the barrier, immune cells identify them as a potential threat and initiate an immune response in order to protect the body.

This immune response creates inflammation. In some cases inflammation can become widespread throughout the body and contribute to many health issues, including autoimmune disease.

So, what causes disruption to the intestinal barrier?

1. Gluten. Zonulin is a protein secreted by the cells in the gut wall to stimulate the opening of gaps between cells in the intestinal barrier, to allow nutrients to pass through into the bloodstream. Gluten increases the production of Zonulin, resulting in numerous gaps in the intestinal barrier. It is believed that this mechanism is common to all autoimmune diseases and may be caused by proteins in all grains and pseudo-grains.
2. Dysbiosis. The gastrointestinal microbiome regulates the permeability of the intestinal barrier. An imbalance of good and bad bacteria living in the gut can lead to an overgrowth of pathogenic species. Pathogenic bacteria can cause inflammation in the gut lining causing damage to the intestinal barrier.
3. Sugar. Elevated blood glucose causes inflammation and alteration to intestinal cells that leads to intestinal barrier dysfunction.
4. Stress. Stress hormones can lead to inflammation which impacts the balance of gut bacteria by supporting the growth of pathogenic microbes that lead to dysbiosis and a leaky gut.
5. Alcohol. In addition to affecting the microbiome, alcohol has a direct effect on the intestinal barrier , causing cellular damage and increased permeability.

Finally, how does leaky gut lead to Autoimmune Disease?

For people with a predisposition to AID, the activation of the immune system, as a result of barrier disruptors entering the bloodstream, can lead to the production of autoantibodies – antibodies produced by the immune system that attack the body’s own tissue.

Autoantibodies are stimulated by the presence of inflammation when the body’s back-up system, which eliminates or regulates the cells that produce autoantibodies, fails and the immune system initiates an attack on the tissues.

Autoantibodies can attack local, gastrointestinal tissue leading to conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Coeliac disease but they can also travel in the bloodstream and affect joints, organs and tissue anywhere in the body.

The good news is that leaky gut is reversible, and when your gut heals, it is possible to resolve Autoimmune Disease

The Autoimmune Protocol focuses on diet and lifestyle factors to reverse leaky gut, regulate the immune system and resolve autoimmune symptoms.

Five Ways to Support Gut Healing:

1. Anti-inflammatory foods. Inflammation is one of the main drivers in AID and leaky gut. Including anti-inflammatory foods helps to heal the gut and manage AID symptoms. Anti-inflammatory foods include turmeric and Omega-3-rich oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, herring).
2. Probiotics. Eating fermented foods are an excellent way to increase beneficial bacteria in the gut to improve the microbiome balance. Non-dairy fermented foods include sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, coconut kefir and apple cider vinegar.
3. Prebiotics. Prebiotics are a type of dietary fibre that feed the good bacteria in your gut. Prebiotic foods include onion, garlic, leek, asparagus, artichoke and bananas.
4. Glutamine. Glutamine is an amino acid which helps to tighten the gaps between the epithelial cells of the gut lining and improve barrier permeability. Glutamine is found in foods such as beetroot, cabbage, brussel sprouts, grass-fed meat, seafood, bone broth, and grass-fed gelatin.
5. Reduce stress. Reducing stress is essential in order to reduce inflammation and to support gut healing and healthy immune function. Introducing techniques such as daily meditation, deep breathing or mindfulness practices helps to calm the nervous system, reduce stress and improve sleep.

To find out more about Leaky Gut or the Autoimmune Protocol and how it can work for you, book in for a Complimentary Discovery Session.