Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Irritable Bowel Syndrome:  The Common Denominator is Leaky Gut Syndrome.

By Dr. Matthew Buckley

In short Leaky Gut Syndrome refers to a hyper permeability of the intestinal tract.  The intestinal tract, which is essentially the small intestine and large intestine, are designed to allow for fully digested nutrients to enter into the blood stream.  In a state of "Leaky Gut" the intestines become more porous allowing larger undigested food molecules to enter into the blood stream.  Because the body was not designed to see such molecules the body triggers an immune response to the offending agents.  Once the immune system has tagged such molecules as an offending agent, the immune system will continually be activated each time the substance is introduced to the body.  As the immune system "attacks" each substance an immune complex is formed.  An immune complex is essentially a component of the immune system bound to the offending substance.  This complex increases the thickness of the blood, impairing circulation to some degree throughout the body.  As the circulation is impaired various systems decrease in function, muscles ache, and energy and vitality are decreased.  As time goes on, and this problem remains unchecked the immune system becomes more and more responsive (and confused) to anything including airborne substances, body tissues, and body chemicals (autoimmunity).  This situation typically accounts for multiple chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. 

You may have been told that fibromyalgia, MCS, and chronic fatigue are related to some unknown virus.  Viral complications are frequently associated with these health challenges, but as you'll hopefully understand from below the viruses are typically the result and a complication of the problem, but not the cause. 

So, how does this problem begin?  Poor diet, stress, alcohol consumption, various medications, antibiotics, and heavy metal toxicity appear to be the most common irritants to the intestinal tract and feed an overgrowth of pathogenic microbes such as yeast, fungus, parasites, bacteria, viruses, and mycoplasms. Microorganisms in the gut are essential for normal function, and these "good guys" are referred to as probiotics.   It is said that there are more microorganisms within the gut than there are cells in the human body!  In a healthy body, the microorganisms work harmoniously with the body to aid in immune and digestive function, and control the overgrowth of pathogenic forms of microorganisms.    Consuming an over abundance of simple carbohydrates such as sugar, white flour, or alcohol (alcohol is converted into sugar) feed forms of yeast which are always present within the gut, but the yeast can become overfed and overgrown irritating the intestinal wall with it's toxic waste and "root" structures that dig into the intestines.  As the yeast becomes overgrown the intestinal immune system becomes more and more weakened allowing various pathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites to make themselves at home in your gut resulting in what is called dsybiosis.  As the dysbiosis becomes more and more pronounced and the pathogenic byproducts further degrade your intestinal wall (creating the increased porosity) the pathogens themselves might enter into circulation and find a home wherever the immune system is weakest, and the body is most toxic. 

At this point, the immune system is frequently sensitized to just about anything and its overall confusion and over activity leave it unable to deal with many of the offending agents the body will see on a day to day basis.  This is where viruses, and other microbes become more and more pronounced further weakening the body and making the person dealing with the problem hypersensitive, weaker, and weaker, and likely achier, and achier!  It is a fact that you are living in a sea of pathogenic microbes, including viruses, and bacteria in the air you breathe as well as the places you contact.  Avoidance of such microbes is an exercise in futility!  The key is to optimize the immune system and normal physiology so the body prevents the opportunistic invasion of such offenders.

Overcoming the problem requires diet modification and if under stress a decrease in the stress load to allow for normal healing.  Stress pulls blood away from the digestive system, on top of impairing every bodily function, and therefore compromises your ability to heal.  Neuro Modulation Technique (NMT) is an energetic technique which works by identifying the errors in processing of information between the nervous system and various other systems in the body including the immune system.  Under ideal circumstances I have found that Leaky Gut may heal within 3 months with proper care when using NMT, nutrition, dietary modification, and detoxification. 

Things that will interfere, or complicate the healing process are typically dental issues such as mercury amalgams, toxic root canals, and dental cavitations.  A heavily toxic body from such issues or from various other sources can impede the healing process. 

Dietary recommendations for Leaky Gut Syndrome include:

• Eat foods that have natural antimicrobial properties such as onions, leeks, radishes, fenugreek, gingerroot, hot chili, lemon juice, turmeric, mustard, and rosemary.²
• Eat cruciferous vegetables that have detoxifying properties such as cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and broccoli.
• Add raw, crushed garlic to your recipes. The act of crushing garlic releases allicin, an enzyme that has antimicrobial/antifungal properties.
• Eat plain (no sugar, no artificial sweeteners) organic unpasteurized yogurt containing live, active cultures (probiotics) like L. Acidophilus. (Only if you are not allergic to dairy products.)
• Eat foods high in omega-3 essential fatty acids such as flax meal, wild salmon, minimal-mercury tuna, avacodos, fish oil, and sprouted walnuts.
• Eat complex carbohydrates that are digested slowly and gradually increase blood sugar levels, such as pumpkin, winter squash, sweet potatoes, and raw apples.
• Add saturated fats to your diet that have antimicrobial/antifungal properties such as organic virgin coconut oil.
• Add nutrient-dense and unprocessed foods such as sprouted nuts and seeds to your diet.
• Drink purified water throughout the day.

A gluten, dairy, and sugar free diet is essential especially in the beginning.  Gluten and casein from dairy are very small proteins that will find their way into the blood stream quite easily because of their molecular size and therefore create immune responses quite readily until the gut is fully healed.  Sugar, and simple carbohydrates will feed the "bad" guys and weaken your immunity. 

• Pickled foods such as pickled cucumbers (pickles), vegetables, mushrooms, relishes, and sauerkraut
• Fungi such as mushrooms
• Fermented cheeses and wine
• Simple or refined carbohydrates that spike blood sugar levels rapidly such as sugar, white bread, white-flour pasta, cookies, cakes, crackers, processed snacks like potato chips, sugary soft drinks, and juices, all of which can aggravate Candida overgrowth – Read more about good carbs and bad carbs. 
• All foods containing refined sugar or artificial non-nutritive sweeteners such as aspartame, Splenda^�, etc. Choose a natural sweetener like Xylosweet� instead.
• Alcoholic beverages in excess since they hinder the functioning of the immune and digestive systems and retard the healing process
• Excessive caffeine intake – While moderate amounts of caffeine may be beneficial, excessive consumption can disrupt the body's systems, causing insomnia and digestive irregularity (constipation or diarrhea).
• Bottom crawlers such as oysters, clams, and lobster that may contain toxic levels of mercury
• Deep-sea fish such as tuna, mackerel, and swordfish that may contain toxic levels of mercury. Choose minimal-mercury albacore tuna instead.   
• Farm-raised fish that contain high levels of PCBs, mercury and little omega-3 (since farm-raised fish are typically fed land-based foods)
• Sodium nitrite found in processed foods such as hot dogs, lunch meats, and bacon
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG) found in many foods as a flavor enhancer
• Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) found in many processed foods, deep-fried foods, fast food, and junk food – Read more about good fats and bad fats.
• Foods that contain preservatives and artificial flavors and colors
• Products (such as soy milk and ice cream) that contain carrageenan, a seaweed extract that's added to foods to retain their creamy texture. For some people, carrageenan irritates the stomach.²
• Allergenic foods (for some people) such as casein in dairy products, gluten in wheat breads, soy products, and peanuts (a legume that is often contaminated with aflatoxin, a natural toxin and carcinogen produced by certain strains of the mold Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus that grow on peanuts stored in warm, humid silos.)³

The following is a listing of what are typically essential supplements for aiding the healing process.   (Note:  My protocol indicates that some or all products may not be given initially until NMT desensitization of these ingredients has been completed.  This is discussed on a case by case basis.)

Aminogest:  This is a pre-digested protein supplement made from white fish fillets. The fish fillet is digested using a marine organism discovered by a South American scientist. This organism digests the protein into protein fragments that are in the dipeptide and tripeptide form. Dipeptides are two amino acids joined together and tripeptides are three amino acids linked together. Studies on human digestion and absorption have revealed that the body absorbs dipeptides and tripeptides much faster than single amino acids! The majority of Aminogest is in this dipeptide and tripeptide form.

Betaine HCL (non-synthetic)- Betaine hydrochloride is also known as hydrochloric acid (HCL) or stomach acid. It helps digest food by breaking up fats and proteins. The low pH of the stomach's hydrochloric acid also destroys ingested bacteria and other microorganisms. Adequate levels of HCL are necessary for adequate absorption of protein, calcium, vitamin B12 and iron.

Healthy stomach acid is needed for a healthy digestive tract. If you have low stomach acid, even the best food cannot be properly digested. If you are unable to absorb nutrients properly, this can lead to terrible health problems. Healthy stomach acid helps kill disease-causing microbes and parasites routinely found in the food you eat. If you have low stomach acid, these infecting invaders may not be destroyed by your stomach's acid bath. They can then cause many types of infections. Now you can see why low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) is associated with so many common health problems. If these infections are not cleared, over time they can cause many symptoms, paving the way for full-blown disease.

Essential Fatty Acids High quality, non-toxic, non-rancid fish, flax seed, black currant seed, borage, and/or evening primrose oils are essential for optimal cellular function.  They have anti-inflammatory properties, and are the building blocks for a healthy cell membrane which serves as the most important part of any cell within the body.  A cell membrane lacking an adequate makeup of these omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids will be less able to rid the cell of waste, or bring in healthy nutrients to feed the cells basic function. 

Probiotics  The replenishment of beneficial microorganisms helps improve immunity, decrease pathogenic overgrowth, and aid in digestion. 

Digest  Formulated to provide specific enzymes needed to hydrolyze dietary food macromolecules. These macromolecules include triglycerides, proteins with diverse amino acid sequences, starch, xylans, cellulose, hemicellulose, lactose, dextrins and others. The enzyme blends in Digest will enhance the digestibility of the molecules most commonly found in human diets and ultimately, optimize a more complete and balanced procurement of nutrients needed by the body to sustain health and vitality. 

Pro-Basics Whey/Rice Protein  A breakfast smoothie with the following ingredients is recommended to help stabilize blood sugar, and help heal the body. 

Regulating your blood sugar is essential to feeling well, and maintaining wellness. By starting the day with the typical grain, or sugary cereal, along with coffee to get you going your blood sugar will fluctuate, your mood may swing, and your energy will drop. In short, you and your pancreas are headed for trouble. That's why I recommend my smoothie. It'll keep you full and satiated for quite some time after having it, and it's loaded with very potent anti-oxidants, beneficial fats, and many other powerful micronutrients.

1 1/2 cups of good water (not tap!) Fiji is recommended

1/4 can Organic Coconut Milk

1/2 bag of Mixed Organic Berries

1 handful of Raw Organic Walnuts

1 handful of Raw Organic Pumpkin Seeds

1 TBSP of Raw Organic Cacao

1 1/2 Scoops of Pure Encapsulations ProBasics Protein Powder

Optional: 1 Raw Organic Egg

All ingredients except for the ProBasics Powder can be found at Whole Foods.

Enjoy!

In cases where the toxic load is high the following supplements may be added:

Renelix  RENELIX drops support the excretion of concrement (protein concretions, calculi) and toxins deposited in the kidney cells, and helps restore normal kidney function. RENELIX drops also help counteract intoxification through aging or illnesses that weaken metabolic processes, which can result in hypertonia, diabetes or precancerous conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism. Finally, this remedy helps regulate toxic blockades in chronically ill patients, which allows systemic healing to take place.

Itires  drops stimulate and detoxify the entire lymphatic system -- a vital part of the immune response -- to help speed excretion of toxins during acute and chronic illnesses. Efficient flow of lymph can prevent stagnation and blockages that increase the chance of new infections.

The lymph nodes function like small heart muscles that pump and filter between 1.5 to 2.5 liters of lymphatic fluids, pathogens, toxins and cellular waste products per day, enabling an essential detoxification of the body. Acute and chronic illnesses, as well as internal toxins such as free radicals, can completely overburden the lymphatic system, which then urgently needs support of biological medications to meet this increased toxic load.

Moreover, it is important to point out that the lymphatic vessels in the intestines (the largest excretion organ for waste products and toxins in the body) must also be stimulated to avoid a reintoxification via the intestinal walls. Any continuous blockage of the lymphatic system and intoxification of the organs can lead via various stages to exhaustion of the effected cells. To reverse pathogenic processes, homeopathic-spagyric therapy attempts to activate exhausted immune defenses and aid the body in excreting the toxic load as quickly as possible.