COULD YOU HAVE LEAKY GUT?
Leaky gut is now recognized as a major cause of numerous auto-immune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and celiac. Hopefully, you don’t suffer from any of these serious maladies but this doesn’t mean that you don’t have leaky gut.
Leaky gut syndrome is a condition where the mucosal lining of the small intestine becomes damaged and compromised. Large, toxic particles are then able to enter the circulation. These could be considered as waste products which are not broken down properly. They were meant to enter the large intestine and be excreted. Instead, they enter the bloodstream and place the nervous system in a hypersensitive mode. Since the gut lining is home to 70 to 80% of the immune system, it is easy to see how leaky gut can depress immune function.
WHAT CAUSES LEAKY GUT
As you probably guessed, the primary cause starts with poor diet. For every individual who deals with serious food intolerances to dairy and gluten, there are many more people who do not experience overt symptoms. However, sugar and other processed foods still cause damage to the intestinal lining.
It is important to understand that a healthy gut lining should consist of a layer of friendly bacteria or flora. This layer can be compromised without us even knowing it. So if you have large protein particles and toxins in your bloodstream that should have been eliminated, your immune system cannot protect you like it was designed to do.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RESTORE A HEALTHY GUT LINING
Although modern science has verified the connection between the brain, immune system and the intestinal tract, there is still a lack of protocols on how to best enhance these connections. The most obvious is dietary changes and supplementation. Many people now take acidophilus supplements to replenish damaged flora and repopulate the friendly bacteria. Along with dietary changes, the neurological component of this triad can be improved through chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture therapy. The one area of the spine which has he most to do with gut function and therefore immunity is the uppermost vertebrae in the neck, the atlas, from which emerges the vagus nerves. When these nerves are compressed or irritated by a misalignment, it can negatively affect the entire brain, gut and immune triad.
At Back in Motion Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Daphne our physician has 30 years experience in detection and correction of these upper cervical misalignments. Call (251)621-2224 if you have questions about how adjustments can enhance immune function.