There has been a lot of press recently about “gastric bleeding” from numerous prescription drugs, especially the anti-inflammatory group including Aspirin, Celebrex, Motrin, etc. Our delicate intestinal lining actually develops tears or lesions and then undigested food particles enter the bloodstream. These substances are recognized as offenders and so the immune system is activated and creates antibodies. This begins the cycle of auto-immune disorders like arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and a host of others. Very often more drugs are prescribed to curb the inflammation and the cycle continues as health spirals down. We may get short term relief from symptoms and yet, there is long term damage done to our body. How do we heal the gut lining so we stop this viscous cycle? It’s important to remember it takes time, step by step. First steps include healing the gut lining & healing adrenal exhaustion. Must have energy & strength to create healing.
Defined as permeable gut lining, leaks occur (called lesions) that allow undigested food particles and toxins to enter bloodstream. Like inner skin, acts as protective barrier. Our mouth to anus tubing is almost 30 feet long that handles food from the outside world. Numerous phases of digestion bring nutrients into bloodstream. Elements must be small enough to go through the barrier and enter blood to feed cells, tissues, organs & systems. Leaky gut is inflamed gut. Healthy gut lining is made up of mucous lining and when patches in the small or large intestine area of this membrane open, larger food particles enter blood and cause reactions. Mucous is body’s first line of defense. If this lining is unhealthy, leaky gut make be first symptom and then progress to colitis or other pathological inflammatory condition, especially autoimmune disorders like arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, etc.
Written by Cathy Shea
