Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, once said, “All disease begins in the gut.” Many recent studies reflect the same. Chronic illnesses are characterized by inflammation, and “leaky gut” is a likely reason for inflammation. The cells of the intestinal walls are laid tightly against one another via tight junction proteins. These cells are permeable, but, being highly intelligent, they only allow what our body requires. When gut functioning is compromised, it loosens the tight junctions, causing hyperpermeability, or leaky gut.
A gut that is compromised will create permeability in the intestines. This will create a gap between gut cells, from which food particles, pathogens, chemicals, and drugs can leach into the bloodstream. When these foreign invaders enter the bloodstream, the second line of defense—the white blood cells—go on overdrive trying to neutralize them, resulting in inflammation. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, or any external proteins that enter our bloodstream can cause inflammation. Inflammation is the way your body is trying to heal itself. If, however, your body remains inflamed continuously, the health of your internal organs will eventually become compromised.
Large undigested proteins, such as gluten and dairy, look very similar to our own body cells. When they enter the bloodstream, the immune system recognizes them as foreign invaders and attacks them. Then the immune system scans the rest of the body for proteins of similar structure. When other parts of our body match this protein structure, it starts attacking them as well. This process of mistaken identity is called molecular mimicry. For example, if the protein structure resembles brain tissue, the immune system may attack brain tissue, resulting in the development of Alzheimer’s; if it resembles joints, it can result in rheumatoid arthritis; if the immune system attacks the colon, it can result in colitis.