Zonulin, Gut Health, Leaky Gut: Dr. Axe and Tracy Harrison School Applied Functional Medicine info

Paula Youmell, RN Functional Medicine RN – Herbalist – Sacred Circle Yoga Mentor (315) 212-3066 www.PaulaYoumellRN.com

Gluten, Zonulin & Autoimmune Disease This information came from a web site article by Dr. Axe. Full article here: https://draxe.com/foods-with-gluten/

Zonulin is a protein that signals the tight junctions to open and close — the only known substance in the body to do so. By controlling zonulin, scientists can open and close the tight junctions almost at will. At this point, we know of two things that can trigger the release of zonulin in the small intestine: exposure to bacteria and exposure to gluten. (3) Infections in the gut have long been suspected as a cause of the allergic, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases associated with leaky gut. Researchers discovered that when the small intestine is exposed to any infection, it secretes zonulin in response, which then basically opens the door of the tight junctions. In other words, it’s possibly the zonulin, not the bacteria themselves, that directly triggers intestinal permeability.

For millennia, this zonulin response was an essential part of the body’s defense mechanism — it was a way of pushing out the bad bacteria we may encounter, such as salmonella. But our modern world has drastically increased the number of triggers for zonulin, leaving the gates of

our gut wide open. What was once a very healthy (and fleeting) immune system response has morphed into a never‐ending cascade, causing our bodies to become chronically inflamed and vulnerable.

Many of the autoimmune conditions linked to leaky gut have a genetic component, yet researchers have determined that less than 10 percent of those with the genes for an autoimmune disease actually develop it. So why do some people with those genes get sick while others don’t? The answer, put simply, is our environment. That’s why the choices we make every day — the food we eat, the products we use, the stress levels in our lives, the pills we take — can make the difference between illness and health. These are all toxic micro exposures that can lead to zonulin release. And these are all things, unlike genetics, that are usually within our control.

The two most significant environmental factors when it comes to the release of zonulin are: The increase of gluten in our food supply: The hybridization of wheat, as well as its inclusion in almost all processed food products, has vastly increased our consumption of gluten, which creates conditions in the body that encourage a near‐constant release of zonulin.

The increase in antibiotic usage: The rise of antibiotic medications, hand sanitizers, chemical cleaners, medications and other microbe killers has decimated our microbial diversity.

Imbalances in our microbiome have led to increases in the sheer number of bacteria crowding into our small intestine, which continues to trigger zonulin’s gate‐opening mechanism. These are just some of the reasons that antibiotic resistance develops and antibacterial overkill causes harm.

Images of healthy gut lining and leaky gut issues:

Information below from The School of Applied Functional Medicine & Eat On Purpose, Both businesses created by Tracy Harrison

Intestinal Permeability: the Auto-Immune Connection Hashimoto’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohns, IBS, psoriasis, and many more, …. These types of dis - ease in the body seem so different because they attack different parts of the body. However, they are all actually caused by dysfunction of the immune system – an overwrought, confused immune system. The brain, the thyroid, the skin, the joints, etc. are just the various localized battlefields of these auto-immune diseases.

With the rapid increase in exposure to processed foods, chemicals, toxins, chronic stress, GMOs, vaccine ingredients, and many other foreign molecules – usually on a daily basis – it shouldn’t be a surprise that our immune system is confused! To put AI disease in remission, we have to find out why each person’s unique immune system is overwrought and fix it. Yes, AI disease can indeed be put into long-term remission.

The true root causes of immune activation are unique for each person. Usually, it’s a small handful of triggers. Things like intestinal Yeast overgrowth, lead or arsenic toxicity, undiagnosed food sensitivities, Vitamin D deficiency, B vitamin insufficiency (which leads to poor detox capability), other nutritional deficiencies, adrenal exhaustion, and/or non-pathogenic bacterial overgrowth such as Clostridia.

There is one simple change that can begin this journey for all clients with an AI disorder. One thing all auto-immune diseases have in common. Something our clients typically won’t hear from their physicians. Intestinal permeability. Dr. Alessio Fasano has done extensive research in understanding the common link of intestinal permeability in triggering activation of AI disease. Dr. Fasano is currently the Director of the Celiac Resarch Center as Mass General in Boston. https://vimeo.com/73894914

Yes, genetics can play a role in predisposition for certain AI disorders, but alone, genes are almost never enough to cause activation. Environment determines which of our genes “turn on”. And a primary way that our body senses and responds to our environment is in the gut. Intestinal permeability – a.k.a. “leaky gut” – offers a short-cut for chronic inflammatory molecules in the gut (and a myriad microbial and ingested toxins) to rapidly get into our blood supply for systemic circulation. It is well-understood that some individuals are more vulnerable to leaky gut. Now at last, it’s also well-understood that gluten – the protein found in many common grains especially wheat – can trigger release of a protein in the human gut called zonulin which actually causes leaky gut.

Full gluten elimination from the diet and healing the leaky gut can be very powerful ways to break the cycle of intestinal permeability in our clients with AI disorders. It’s critical for clients to understand that the elimination must be complete (cold-turkey!) in order to yield results. Find convenient, whole-food, nutrient-dense alternatives; ask me for help. Learn to read labels and know every ingredient is 100% whole foods. Learn how to navigate family and social gatherings. Learn the foods that will have hidden gluten in them at restaurants (sauces,

creams, desserts, salad dressings). Once gluten has been fully eliminated for a couple of weeks, you can then begin to heal leaky gut with supplements that include both l-glutamine (an amino acid that heals damage to the villi in the intestines) and mucilaginous herbs that repair the mucosal intestinal lining (e.g. aloe, DGL). Two easy-to-use blends of these are Metagenics Glutagenics or Designs for Health GI Revive.

There are bulk herbs, as well, that can be purchased to help heal the gut. This is a “put it together by yourself – less expensive” way to nourish the body back to health.

There will almost always be other sources of inflammation in the gut that need to be identified and resolved for full intestinal healing (If you have IBS, you should not work on healing the gut lining until the microbial imbalance is fully addressed).

Gluten free is a powerful way to get started and find some relief while the rest of the puzzle pieces are put together. Generally, l-glutamine supplements are very well-tolerated, but there are just a few considerations to ensure you know for potential contraindication.

Here is an excellent article by Dr. Joe Pizzorno summarizing the effect of Zonulin, wheat, and other foods in the etiology of autoimmune disease. This is great reading if you want to explore this topic more in-depth.

Long-term relief and remission require addressing root causes. Short-term support can help to reduce AI symptoms, especially the remedies that calm inflammation at its source and calm immune system activation at its source (in the gut).