Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Do this, scientists! (experiment to confirm/deny the existence of "leaky gut")


HayInNeedleStack

Recommended Posts

HayInNeedleStack Apprentice

Leaky gut is a condition that we have little knowledge of. 

The symptoms this condition could cause are not agreed upon. Some health practitioners say it could cause "wide range of long term conditions Open Original Shared Link, like chronic fatigue syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis.

The possible cause list NHS gives is much more accurate:

  • Open Original Shared Link – such as Open Original Shared Link
  • infections of the intestines – such as Open Original Shared LinkOpen Original Shared Link andOpen Original Shared Link 
  • Open Original Shared Link 
  • Open Original Shared Link medicines
  • Open Original Shared Link  
  • Open Original Shared Link to the abdomen (tummy)
  • immunosuppressants (medicines that weaken the immune system)
  • Open Original Shared Link 
  • Open Original Shared Link  
  • Open Original Shared Link
  • Open Original Shared Link
  • complicated surgery

As you can see, the list includes a lot gastrointestinal conditions. Gut becomes "leaky", letting too big particles into blood system, and possibly these particles act as poison (because they are not  supposed to be in the blood, thus the possible bad effects).

Now, to confirm this disease, I was amazed that this test hadn't been done before:
Feed the supposed "leaky gut" patients (e.g. celiacs with damaged bowel) with IV fluids. Because these fluids go directly into the blood stream, and the particles are "elemental" (glucose, vitamins, amino acids... all supposed to be in the blood stream anyway), they shouldn't cause any symptoms.

If they notice improvement, the problem is in the digestive system (I'm also including stomach). If not, such condition as "leaky gut" doesn't exist. Rather the problem is how the body reacts to the "elemental" particles. E.g the most common explanation would be diabetes (the IV fluids just caused elevated glucose levels), that also should be tested. Also the "candida theory", because its proponents say the candida is in the WHOLE body, including the blood stream. To eliminate this, patients should take anticandida meds, then again go on IV fluids, and if they NOW get better, it was candida. If not candida, and not diabetes, nor allergies, we have a new condition we aren't even aware of (body reacting to elementary particles with no obvious reason).

However, if the patients DO get better, the problem IS in the gut. Now, it could be celiac disease, and the improvement could have been due to eliminating gluten from the diet (because IV doesn't contain gluten). The question remains that did the bowel actually leak any particles? (not just gluten causing autoimmune reactions and malnutrition, and explaining all the  Open Original Shared Link).  Or the patients just get better due to NOW acquiring all the necessary nutrients.  To eliminate these possibilities, they should feed the patients with gluten-free food (or even better, with elemental diet, because it could also be lack of digestive enzymes or something else). If they get worse, the problem is STILL in the gut, and thus the "leaky gut" exists. If not, "leaky gut" is probably a non-existent condition.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



stri8ed Rookie

Leaky Gut aka intestinal hyperpermeability, is very much a real condition, and there are existing scientifically credible tests to measure the degree of permeability. (see Open Original Shared Link). Now whether or not various conditions are caused by this, is an entirely different question.

While an IV based elemental diet might help identify the GI as the culprit, it's both costly and not sustainable. So I fail to see what is gained. You can just as well do a water fast, and reach the same conclusions.

HayInNeedleStack Apprentice

Good idea! Add also the lactulose - mannitol test, to confirm they are/are not experiencing leakyness in the gut, then correlate the results with the symptoms (obviously digestive symptoms would have to be excluded, because diarrhea and bloating will probably be present anyway, due to having damaged intestines).

You see, ironically it would be "gluten-free challenge", because possibly systemic symptoms ("leaky gut syndrome")  and GI symptoms start after going IV fluids -> gluten-free (instead of "gluten challenge", which would be gluten-free -> gluten).
 

 

 

 

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,244
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Barbara carter
    Newest Member
    Barbara carter
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      No, I would not say this at all. If you were diagnosed with celiac disease and were gluten-free for a while, you could have gone into remission. Everyone's body is different, and some celiacs may be able to get regular contamination and not end up with damaged villi and positive antibody tests, while others who ingest tiny amounts will relapse and have full blown symptoms and flattened villi.  Only a full gluten challenge would reveal where you are at this point. Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Scott Adams
      The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs.      
    • Pablohoyasaxa
      Great  post. The skin issue can be intolerable. I have been taking niacinamide for the past month and have improved with respect to the blistering lesions. 
    • knitty kitty
      I've found taking Niacin Vitamin B 3 in the form that causes flushing (nicotinic acid) helps immensely to clear my skin.  The flushing is harmless and goes away the longer Niacin is taken.  The flushing (vasodilation in the skin) helps the body get rid of the tTg 3 IgA antibodies that cause the blisters.  TTg 2 IgA antibodies are found in the blood and are measured in diagnostic testing for Celiac.  People with Dermatitis Herpetiformis make tTg 3 as well as tTg 2 antibodies.  Niacin Vitamin B3 in the non flushing form niacinamide also works without the flushing, but takes a bit longer.   I also avoid foods containing high levels of iodine because iodine activates the tTg 3 IgA antibodies to become more active and make more blisters.  I avoid kelp (nori, seaweed) and crustaceans,  eggs, dairy products, and iodized table salt.   Niacinamide and Nicotinic acid are water soluble and harmless.  I'd much rather take Niacin than Dapsone with scary side effects.  
    • meghanf
      We have a gluten-free household. It's the least stressful option. No one else in my family has Celiac, but they are all extremely supportive. We don't even have Play-doh for this kids.
×
×
  • Create New...