Autoimmune-Leaky Gut Connection - Dr. Angela Carlson, ND

Autoimmune-Leaky Gut Connection

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Autoimmune-Leaky Gut Connection

Leaky gut – also known as increased intestinal permeability – is a digestive condition in which bacteria and toxins are able to “leak” through the intestinal wall. This condition is more common than ever because of the high level of toxic substances in the foods we eat and the water we drink, taking too much medications, and being exposed to infections and constant, chronic stress.
 
Inflammatory foods make up most of people’s every day diet such as glutinous breads, pastas, crackers and baked goods, conventionally processed dairy rich in hormones, pseudo grains, alcohol, and foods that contain GMOs. Infections or bacterial overgrowth like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), candida and intestinal parasites can contribute to mass inflammation and leaky gut as well.

How Leaky Gut Can Lead to Autoimmunity

Once your gut becomes leaky, this is serious trouble for your immune system! Toxins, viruses, bacteria and food particles are entering into your bloodstream, resulting in a condition known as endotoxemia (which literally means that your blood becomes toxic).

This sends your immune system into high alert. Over time, as more of these toxic particles leach into your bloodstream, your immune system uses white blood cells to attack, creating massive inflammation. This also creates “less accuracy” to deal with the “invaders” in your blood. Eventually, this leads to autoimmunity because your healthy tisseus get attacked as well. 

The job of your immune system is to adapt by making antibodies to fight the foreign invaders in your blood. However, many of these foreign invaders look very similar to your own body’s cells, and your immune system can get confused and accidentally attack your own tissues. This is called molecular mimicry. Unfortunately, gluten and dairy can also trigger your immune system through molecular mimicry, and many people’s diet are very high in both.

The Functional Medicine Approach to Treating Gut Issues

The Functional Medicine approach to healing the gut is relying on advanced lab testing, followed by creating a custom-tailored, personalized protocol to restore your body’s innate healing potential so we can bring your body back into balance. 

Since the gut impacts our health on so many levels, it’s often the first place we focus on when we explore a client’s case – determining whether they have leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or its cousin small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO).

The lab tests help us identify and address the underlying dysfunction for good – whether it’s unresolved stealth infections, environmental toxins, food sensitivities or other hormone or system-wide issues.

Sadly, conventional doctors aren’t equipped to untangle these complex, interdependent issues because there’s simply not enough time in a standard 7-minute visit, nor was the topic covered in their standard medical school training. 

Oftentimes, I’ve heard from clients things like “I have a “sensitive stomach” which seems to have become an accepted term for “just grin and bear it”. 

But what it could actually mean is a serious gut imbalance that might have far-reaching consequences for your overall wellness. There is recent medical research that also shows a link between chronic unaddressed gut issues, especially gut dysbiosis, as a catalyst to autoimmune illness.

Don’t just chalk it up to having a “sensitive” stomach or “getting older”… seek out care from a Functional Medicine-trained provider to avoid compromising your long-term health.

Dr. Angela Carlson is trained to investigate the symptoms and causes of your chronic digestive complaints or other symptoms, and assemble an effective plan that’s supported by the appropriate lab tests.

If you have been experiencing chronic symptoms that may be connected with digestive problems and are looking for answers, schedule an appointment with Dr. Angela Carlson, ND today!

Take The First Step On Your

Journey Back To Health

Do you have questions you’d like to ask before you make a decision to become a client? Apply for a complimentary 20 minute Strategy Call with Dr. Angela Carlson, ND to see if functional medicine is helpful for your case.

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