Prevalence and Socio-Economic Impact of Gastrointestinal Disorders and Leaky Gut
Abdominal discomfort and chronic fatigue rank among the top reasons prompting individuals to seek medical attention. Although fatigue is not present with gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, it does often accompany a range of symptoms related to this condition. Gastrointestinal illnesses, encompassing factors like constipation, diarrhea, SIBO, parasites, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Disease (IBS), and leaky gut, manifest from various causes.
The influence of GI dysfunction on our society is extensive. IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States. About 2 in 3 IBS sufferers are female. About 1 in 3 IBS sufferers are male. It not only causes localized discomfort but had wide ranging negative effects on the nervous system and immune system.
IBS also incurs a significant economic burden on the healthcare system. Projections indicate that over $10 billion in direct costs and $20 billion in indirect costs are linked to IBS annually in the US. Another study from 2008 estimates that Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis contribute an additional $3.6 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively, to overall US healthcare expenses each year.
Digestion, Inflammation, and Disease
The inability of the body to properly digest food triggers irritations within the GI system, leading to a variety of symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and more. Furthermore, the repercussions of compromised nutrient absorption during digestion, coupled with food allergies, bacterial or yeast overgrowth, and "leaky gut," can give rise to a range of systemic symptoms encompassing anxiety, depression, acne, autoimmune disorders, and even certain types of cancer.
Medically referred to as "intestinal permeability," leaky gut is a result of an unhealthy intestinal lining. This condition involves gaps forming between cells in the intestinal wall, allowing undigested food particles and toxins to enter the bloodstream and provoke an immune response. Conversely, a healthy gut efficiently processes food, ensuring proper nutrient absorption, transportation, assimilation, and waste elimination. The following diagram offers a simplified overview of leaky gut.
Numerous factors can contribute to leaky gut, but the focus here will be on the role of the stomach as one of the primary organs involved in the digestive process, post-chewing, and its correlation with leaky gut and other GI symptoms.
The Stomach and Gastric Acid Equilibrium
Effective digestion mandates the secretion of Hydrochloric Acid (HCI) by the stomach and the maintenance of a specific acidity level. The principal function of HCI is pathogen sterilization in food, thus minimizing infection and disease risks. HCI achieves this by hindering the growth of pathogens like viruses, bacteria, yeast, and fungus, thereby creating an environment that curtails their survival and replication.
From a practitioner's perspective, the stomach's digestive processes are paramount in the entire system. At a minimum, stomach activities serve as essential precursors to the rest of digestion.
In addition to sterilizing our food and nutrient conversion, HCI stimulates vital hormonal functions that signal the small intestine, pancreas, and liver/gallbladder to secrete enzymes and other substances facilitating proper digestion and nutrient absorption, thereby promoting overall bodily health and optimal function.
Low stomach acid, a very common problem, can impede food sterilization, paving the way for non-beneficial bacteria to invade the intestinal tract, while also preventing effective nutrient conversion. In cases of low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), the proteins we ingest may become allergens, contributing to food allergies, sensitivities, and the development of GI disorders like dysbiosis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), often resulting from the presence of colon-normal bacteria in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Insufficient stomach acid hampers the absorption of essential nutrients like Vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, leading to malnutrition. Several factors, including age, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), excessive antacid usage, alcohol, anti-mucus medications, antihistamines, and infections like H. Pylori and Campylobacter, can decrease HCI secretion. Hypochlorhydria also diminishes GI motility, culminating in constipation, which promotes the putrefaction of undigested protein, fat rancidity, carbohydrate fermentation, and creates a favorable environment for harmful bacteria to thrive. In cases where HCL production ceases (achlorhydria), food loses its sterilization capacity, proteins remain undigested, and the body essentially enters a state of malnutrition and anemia.
Conversely, excessive stomach acid (with low pH) or "hyperchlorhydria" can prolong the time digested food stays in the stomach before progressing to the small intestine, potentially leading to more severe conditions such as peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), hiatal hernias, or in extreme cases, gastric cancer. Elevated stomach acid levels have also been associated with reduced secretion of pancreatic enzymes into the small intestine—a critical aspect of fat, protein, and carbohydrate digestion. Inadequate enzyme levels heighten the likelihood of infections and diarrhea.
Adding complexity, symptoms tied to both low and high stomach acid levels bear strong resemblance, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnostic testing. While some basic home tests can offer indications of one's position on the acid spectrum, more definitive assessments via methods like the Heidelberg Radio-telemetric Device or Gastro-Testing are often necessary to determine precise HCL levels. Genetic factors also play a role, as explored below.
The Microbiome
The intestinal system houses trillions of microbes that we collectively call the Microbiome. The balance between health bacteria (probiotics) and yeast, parasites and potentially harmful bacteria is essential for not only GI function, but for the entire body to work well and be healthy! A main cause of IBS and SIBO is an imbalance in this bacterial colony. This commonly happens as a result of poor diet, improper digestion, chemicals in our food and water, antibiotic and other medication usage and stress. Imbalance in digestion coupled with an unhealthy Microbiome can lead to a leaky gut and food sensitivities and intolerances!
Low levels of healthy bacteria coupled with high levels of unhealthy bacteria
Rebalancing The Body
This is a topic I can speak on for hours as most patients with chronic illness have a component of GI dysfunction, even without GI symptoms! In order to reestablish health, we must properly evaluate all of the systems with specialized testing and physical examination and create a lifestyle plan to correct the imbalances that are found!
Check out this video testimonial from a patient with IBS and a series of other issues that we were able to turn around after years of suffering!
Woman with anxiety/depression/IBS
https://youtu.be/w_b1pTW1W5Y