Intestinal Permeability & Microbiome Impacts

You may have heard of the gut-brain connection, but you may not be aware of just how important this connection is for your overall health. Approximately 95% of the symbiotic microbes in the human body are located in the gut, and in a homeostatic state, this highly diverse population of microbiota promotes overall health.

However, if the gut reaches a state of dysbiosis, a variety of diseases ranging from type 2 diabetes to inflammatory bowel disease may develop.

Recently, intestinal microbial dysbiosis has been associated with a number of brain pathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Diet changes, chronic alcohol consumption, stress, the use of antibiotics, and other environmental and genetic factors can lead to alterations in microbiota.

These alterations can induce intestinal inflammation and increase permeability. The mechanisms by which these diseases develop are not fully understood.

Still, it is thought that increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) allows toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to neuroinflammation.

What Diseases May Develop from Intestinal Microbial Dysbiosis?

Research continues to point to an integral connection between the gut and a variety of chronic diseases.

Diseases associated with intestinal microbial dysbiosis include:

These diseases are all associated with increased intestinal permeability, which allows toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier. This can lead to neuroinflammation and damage to neurons.

How Does Increased Intestinal Permeability Lead to Neuroinflammation?

The mechanisms by which these diseases develop are not fully understood, but it is thought that increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) allows toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier. Once these toxins and bacteria reach the brain, they can cause neuroinflammation.

Neuroinflammation is a process whereby the immune system attacks healthy cells in the brain. This can lead to damage of neurons and other brain cells and has been linked to a variety of chronic diseases.

How Can You Prevent or Treat Increased Intestinal Permeability?

There are several ways you can prevent or treat increased intestinal permeability:

Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be taken in supplement form, and they can also be found in certain foods like yogurt and sauerkraut. Probiotics help to maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria.

Prebiotics: Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that serve as food for probiotics. They can be found in foods like bananas, garlic, onions, and leeks.

Diet: Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is important for gut health. Avoiding processed foods, sugar, and artificial sweeteners is also important.

Supplements: There are a number of supplements that can help to support gut health, including omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine, and zinc.

Functional Medicine: Functional medicine is a personalized approach to healthcare that looks at the whole person rather than just treating symptoms. This type of care can be very beneficial for those with chronic diseases.

Unlock the Key to Gut Health with Internal Healing and Wellness

Functional Medicine offers a novel approach to medicine tailored to each individual. By taking into account the person’s unique history, lifestyle, and environment, functional medicine practitioners can develop a plan to address the underlying causes of disease.

This approach often includes dietary and lifestyle changes, supplements, and other natural therapies. Functional medicine can be very effective in treating chronic diseases, as it looks at the whole person rather than just treating symptoms.

If you are looking for a more personalized approach to healthcare, functional medicine may be right for you.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with Internal Healing and Wellness to learn more. We offer functional medicine consultations and can develop a tailored plan to help you achieve optimal health.Dr. Khan is a certified functional medicine practitioner who has helped many people achieve better health through this approach.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how functional medicine can help you achieve optimal health and wellness.