Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/755637
Page 10 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysHealthAndNutrition.com An amazing discovery a few years ago revolu onized our ability to understand the gut and permeability and how this impacts a wide range of health condi ons from cancer to autoimmune disease to inflamma on and food sensi vi es. This li le molecule, zonulin, has quite a story... Zonulin is the "doorway" to leaky gut Zonulin opens up the spaces between the cells of the intes nal lining. That normally occurs in order for nutrient and other molecules to get in and out of the intes ne. However, when leaky gut is present, the spaces between the cells open up too much allowing larger protein molecules to get into the bloodstream where an immunologic reac on can take place. Once that happens, the body is primed to react to those proteins each and every me they appear. It can also cause leakage of intes nal contents, like bacteria into the immune system crea ng inflamma on and overloading the liver's ability to filter out this garbage. Triggers that open the Zonulin doorway Based on Dr. Fasano's research, we know that the two most powerful triggers to open the zonulin door are gluten and gut bacteria in the small intes ne. Gliadin causes zonulin levels to increase both in those people who have celiac disease and those who do not. As the zonulin level rises, the seal between the intes nal cells diminishes, opening up spaces between cells that allow all sorts of things to pass right through. This is called "leaky gut". It's as if the security guard that keeps the bad guys out is taking a nap! Some mes large food molecules will pass through to the immune system. The immune system thinks they are foreign invaders and will mount an immune response leading to food sensi vi es. In addi on, this immune ac va on leads to more damage to the intes nal cells (called enterocytes) and the gut becomes more inflamed and more permeable or "leaky". As the damage con nues, Zonulin & Leaky Gut: A discovery that changed the way we view inflammation, autoimmune disease and cancer! Page 10 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com