Page 55 - Spring2020

The Wise Traditions Pantry

LEAKY GUT, AUTOIMMUNITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE
By Ashley Turner, BCDHH, CNHP, CHS

Hippocrates long ago postulated that all contribute to a leaky gut. Additional factors— An intact
disease begins in the gut. Where autoim- pathogens, infections, nutrition and more—can gut barrier is
mune disease is concerned, modern research heighten the immune response.
certainly supports this hypothesis. The “gut” Many of these factors are within our power foundational
is an all-encompassing term used to describe to change and can enhance the body’s ability for human
the gastrointestinal (GI) tract—the long tube to heal. One of the first steps in healing is to health.
that includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, remove immune triggers from the diet, some-
small intestine, large intestine and the various times for a season and sometimes indefinitely.
organisms inhabiting the GI tract. The gut holds The aim is to take the burden off of the body so
about 80 percent of the body’s immune system. that it can heal.
An intact gut barrier is foundational for
human health. The gut barrier between the GI THE AUTOIMMUNE PROTOCOL
tract and our internal environment protects our The autoimmune protocol is an elimina-
bodies by allowing nutrients to pass through, tion diet that removes foods known to drive
while blocking foreign invaders. When this bar- inflammation and its symptoms, followed by a
rier becomes compromised, it is called intestinal careful reintroduction period to rule out reac-
hyperpermeability or “leaky gut,” meaning that tivity. Removing potentially problematic foods
undigested food particles, toxins and pathogens can decrease inflammation, rebalance the gut
can freely pass through. Over time, as these flora, soothe the gut lining, regulate blood sugar,
continue to cross the gut barrier, the body enters modulate the immune system, resolve nutrient
into a state of chronic inflammation. Meanwhile, deficiencies and promote overall healing.
the immune system starts producing antibodies The duration of the elimination stage de-
against the foreign invaders. pends on the individual’s health status. Typi-
Autoimmunity arises when the body starts cally, I recommend at least a month or two, but
attacking its own tissue, no longer able to distin- some may find it necessary to extend the period
guish between itself and external threats. Which of time based on their symptoms and the degree
autoimmune condition ultimately manifests of their health concerns. What is most important
itself is determined by which tissues are being is to avoid the restricted foods completely during
attacked. For example, when the body has an this phase of elimination. However, there is no
immune response against the thyroid tissue, limit on calories or frequency of meals. After
the result could be Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or the initial elimination phase, the next step is to
Grave’s disease. If the gut remains leaky, an reintroduce the foods one at a time to evaluate
individual may develop more autoimmunity as the body’s response. Working with a functional
this process perpetuates itself over time. medicine practitioner or holistic doctor during
both the elimination and reintroduction stages
LEAKY GUT can be very helpful.
Leaky gut is caused by a variety of lifestyle The autoimmune protocol represents a
factors, such as a nutrient-poor and inflamma- phenomenal step toward pursuing health and
tory diet, chronic stress, lack of good quality healing. The elimination diet allows meats and
sleep or environmental toxins. Medications seafood; animal fats and other healthy fats such
such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil and palm
(NSAIDs) and birth control pills can also oil; vegetables; edible fungi and mushrooms;

SPRING 2020 Wise Traditions 55