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Causes of LGS

What Causes the Breakdown of the Intestinal Walls?

We know now that the inner walls (lumen) of the intestinal tract can break down to such an extent that macro (large) molecules of one type or another pass through this natural barrier and travel, along with the smaller molecular nutrients, and deposit in the blood stream via the lymphatic channels located in the walls of the microvilli of the villi.

But, what is it that destroys these walls? Get the answer to that and you have half the solution on correcting the problem, if possible. That it is possible is not so remote. The inner lumen has remarkable regenerative powers. It is the most recuperative of any organ in the body by virtue of the fact that it has a very rich blood supply that allows it to renew itself every three to six days. This is a physiological fact. The question then is why doesn’t it repair itself routinely in cases of leaky gut? As long as the irritant(s) continue to be present, it cannot repair itself. The first counterattack to the problem, therefore, is to identify the culprit(s). Once it is determined, remove it or stop it in its tracks. Just that action alone may solve a major part of the healing process. Whether the breakdown is due to destructive organisms (like yeasts), too many antibiotics, a poor diet (you may be eating good food—but for you it may be the wrong food!) will determine the course of action to take in resolving the problem.

Fig. P4—Damaged Intestinal Microvilli [Reproduced through the courtesy of the Cenova Diagnostic Lab]

It has been my experience, after being in clinical practice for nearly half a century, that in many cases, it is what the patient stays away from that brings about a healing. I am convinced that this is the case when it comes to hyperpermeable intestinal damage—or the Leaky Gut.

What Causes the Gut to Leak?

We have listed many aspects of LGS, from what happens when the gut leaks, signs and symptoms, definitions, etc. That is all well and good—but one aspect of the condition remains which must be understood. What causes the pinholes to occur in the first place? The leaky gut may be the cause of the various diseases, but what causes the leaky gut?

There is a very helpful Web site, www.candidafree.net, maintained by Mark and Alyson Cobb. On their site, they inform us of a Dr. William Cowden, a physician who studied the underlying cause of many diseases, who determined that a major etiology of many diseases is an overgrowth of candida albicans, or simply candida.

Here’s how it works. A yeast build-up forms within the folds of the small intestine. Since these are very prolific, they will continue to grow within the villi and microvilli of the intestinal walls. It is true that yeast is normally found in the intestines, but when they are allowed to grow undisturbed, the yeast begins to morph and forms a fungus deep in the folds of the intestines. They make a “home” there so to speak, and settle in. The fungus then forms roots, like a plant, called rhizoids. These rhizoids eventually actually penetrate the intestinal walls, and in so doing, they form the holes which characterize the leaky gut—thus the yeast/fungal overgrowth of candida. The rhizoids continue their growth through the walls of the intestine in their quest for blood and the glucose it contains, which is needed to feed the yeast. This process is not unlike the roots of a tree that grow deep in the ground, much longer and more extended than the tree itself, in search of water. The result is the Leaky Gut Syndrome. Therefore, the most effective way to control, alleviate or even cure the disease is to destroy the yeast overgrowth or flush it out of the system.

The Cause of the Perforations—The Yeast-Fungi-Mold Connection

We have learned that the fungus formed by yeast overgrowth is one of the major causes of the breakdown of the intestinal wall as mentioned earlier. The fungus grows roots that eventually penetrate the intestinal walls, thereby forming the holes that allow the toxic elements of bacteria, viruses, undigested protein, acids, and numerous other waste products to gain passage through the natural barrier and enter the lymphatic system.

Fig. P5—Cross-section of Intestinal Villi from Gray’s Anatomy This demonstrates the many crevasses where yeast may collect and continue to grow undisturbed.

Gray’s Anatomy (26th ed. Philadelphia, Lea and Febiger, 1954.

30th Ed., Pub. 1985, Carmine D. Clemente, Ed.)

The lymphatic system dumps into the blood circulatory system primarily through the thoracic duct, the lymphatic system’s main trunk which lies along the spine, and enters a large vein on the left, close to the heart, thus establishing the pollution of the blood stream.

We are dealing with infected or polluted blood and lymph. Blood, as you well know, goes everywhere. In fact, if any organ or cell is deprived of blood, that organ or cell malfunctions, deteriorates, and eventually dies. By everywhere I mean exactly that—from the largest organ of the body, the skin, which in the average adult measures about eighteen square feet, to the tiniest microcells of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of every description can soon become apparent, thus the reason for the many seemingly different diseases previously listed as having an inflamed, damaged, or leaky gut as their origin.

Please understand, I am not implying that all diseases are caused by a leaky gut. What I am saying is that it can be a major basic underlying cause of many, especially the chronic degenerative diseases. Perhaps more important is the fact that it is rarely taken into consideration by the attending physician. He/she will run every test imaginable to assess the cause of the patient’s problem—from blood tests, x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, isotrophic testing, sound, and mental evaluation, etc., etc., etc. But how often does a physician order a simple, inexpensive Intestinal Permeability test (lactulose/mannitol challenge)? The answer is hardly ever! And if the doctor has never heard of the test, he cannot order it. (More on this test is featured later.)

In my opinion, any physician who orders such a test when LGS is suspected is doing his patient a great service. Even if it comes back negative, at least it will give the attending doctor an indication of what may be ruled out.

I end this section with a quote from the works of Edgar Cayce when he was asked if there was an absolute cure for psoriasis (which was due to a leaky gut). His answer was:

Most of this is found in diet. There is a cure. It requires patience, persistence, and right thinking also.

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In my opinion, this short passage is Cayce’s great gift to all psoriasis and eczema patients everywhere and may very well apply to all cases in which a leaky gut is found to be the origin. In a few words he gives the answer to its remedy “most of this is found in diet.” He offers hope that “there is a cure,” and then adds what it will cost: “patience, persistence” and to top it off, “right thinking.”

Simple? Undoubtedly! Easy? Not necessarily! The attitude of the patient and those around him plays a significant role. It is not easy to change a lifestyle, especially as it relates to diet. Then there are others who would welcome a diet designed to rid their body of this devastating disease. It all goes back to priorities. “Do you want to get rid of the problem, or don’t you?” is a question I ask of patients, new ones in particular. Their answer to that one question will determine their future.

Specific Causes

After many years of research and observation, the scientific community has come up with a number of potential irritants that may play a role in developing a damaged intestinal inner wall. The following are a few that are listed in the Functional Assessment Resource Manual of the Genova (formerly Great Smokies) Diagnostic Laboratory:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)

HIV infection

Intestinal Infection

Maldigestion / Malabsorption

Alcoholism

Aging

Deficient SLGA

Giardiasis

Ingestion of allergic foods

Ingestion of offending chemicals

Trauma and endotoxins

(Ball, Runkel and Holmes, 1999, pG-31)

Having dealt with the subject for many years, I feel compelled to add my “two cents worth” to this list of substances that cause damage to the intestinal mucosa. By practical experience I include in this list of culprits:

1. A poor diet over a long period of time: one that is high in acidic reactions, saturated fats, inflammatory foods such as the nightshades (covered later), yeast, grains and sugars

2. Stress factors

3. Spinal subluxations, especially areas of the 5^th through the 9^th thoracic vertebrae (See Chapter 5, The Spinal Connection.)

4. Negative emotions, harbored resentments

5. Chronic constipation

6. Too many sweets

7. Fried foods

8. Smoking

9. Alcohol

10. Transmission of toxins by the mother in the case of the newborn

Read the above lists. Does any item ring a bell in your mind? The chances are you will find one or more that stand out as something that applies to you. Take heed to it, for therein may lie your antagonist when it comes to food selection. Remember, he is a fool who thinks the nutritional value of a food is determined by its taste!

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID)

Dr. Leo Galland, Dr. Zoltan Rona, Dr. Andrew Weil, and the Genova Diagnostic Laboratory Functional Assessment Resource Manual, as well as many other renowned researchers, list nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and overuse of antibiotics as a primary cause of the breakdown of the intestinal walls. These painkillers are prescribed especially in the treatment of chronic arthritic pain.

You would think that drugs are the answer when an overgrowth of pathogens, especially bacteria, viruses, and germs, are part of the problem of LGS. The fact is antibiotics kill all the bacteria in the intestines, not just the bad guys. There are innumerable bacteria throughout the intestinal tract—both good and bad. The trick is to be sure the good (friendly) bacteria dominate the bad ones at all times. This is called symbiosis. If this ratio is reversed, all sorts of havoc takes place throughout the intestinal tract. This is referred to as dysbiosis; they just don’t balance out right.

“Balancing out right” does not mean a ratio of 50/50. Remember, the friendly bacteria must override the bad ones by a large margin, or you are in trouble. This is not unlike the “normal” ratio of acid and alkaline foods that will be discussed in Part II of this book. Normal in the acid/alkaline balance of foods does not mean 50/50 either. Rather it means 70-80 percent alkaline formers to 20-30 percent acid formers. The difference is as crucial in food selection as it is in friendly bacteria and bad bacteria in the GI tract. That ratio distinguishes an unhealthy gut from a healthy one. When the proper balance is established, everybody gets along, harmony sets in, and symbiosis is the end result.