Category Archives: Questions & Answers

Questions & Answers

Zonulin: What It Is And Why It Matters

Zonulin is a very interesting protein that was discovered in 2000. Dr. Alessio Fasado, a scientist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, was studying cholera and the bacteria (Vibrio cholerae) responsible for this disease. It turns out that the cholera bacteria produce a protein that is very similar to one made by intestinal cells. The protein produced by the gut is called zonulin.

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Symptoms of cholera include profuse, watery diarrhea, and cramping. Increased gut permeability is one of the mechanisms behind the diarrhea seen in cholera. In the human gut, gluten triggers the production of zonulin. Try and think of the wall of the bowel as a type of cheesecloth; only very tiny particles get through. Zonulin makes the holes in the cloth bigger, allowing more to go through. The result is a “leaky” or permeable gut. It is now thought that increased gut permeability contributes to many diseases, particularly autoimmune conditions.

One of the hopes is that by addressing factors that increase zonulin levels, we can reduce leaky gut and associated health conditions. As an example, my clients with leaky gut are encouraged to try a gluten-free diet to see if it reduces their levels of zonulin.

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Questions & Answers, Yeast Infection Signs And Symptoms

The Leaky Gut And Zolunin Testing

Zonulin is a protein made by the small bowel that controls the junction gap. The junction gap is the space between the cells lining the intestine. High levels of zonulin can mean that the junction gap is wider, and gut permeability is high. High gut permeability can result in a condition known as “leaky gut.” Leaky gut is associated with several medical conditions, including some autoimmune diseases.

If zonulin levels are very low, the gut permeability is likely low The zonulin test is usually an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) blood test. Your doctor can take a blood sample to determine your zonulin level. The zonulin level indicates, with some degree of accuracy, the permeability of the small bowel.

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I’ve read some interesting studies of zonulin. One study out of Sweden showed that some people with high zonulin levels had no gastrointestinal problems. In that study, the high zonulin levels were associated with larger size.

Gluten stimulates zonulin production. One possible explanation for the study results is that heavier people may eat more gluten, resulting in higher zonulin levels even without a leaky gut.

Another interesting study demonstrated that elevated zonulin is also associated with Candida. If your zonulin levels are high, make sure you address any problems with Candida or harmful bacteria.

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Questions & Answers

Zonulin and Gut Health: What is The Connection?

Zonulin is a protein made by the small bowel, which helps to control the permeability of the small intestine. To make sure you don’t end up with a leaky gut, you want to keep your zonulin levels in check. You can decrease your zonulin levels by avoiding gluten and cleaning up your gut. Address any microbial imbalances. Eradicate the harmful bacteria in your gut. Increase your beneficial bacteria levels. Treat any candida overgrowth or parasites.

I read a study that showed there isn’t much difference in zonulin levels based on whether the problem was with the upper or low gastrointestinal tract.

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You don’t have to have digestive symptoms to have a digestive tract problem. For example, some people with Candida overgrowth present only with brain fog. They don’t have any bloating, gas, or abdominal discomfort. If you’re not sure if your digestive system is healthy, I highly recommend getting a comprehensive stool analysis (CSA).

If you want to reduce zonulin, you need to get a baseline measure of your digestive tract. A CSA will tell you what you need to know about the microorganisms in your gut.

After going on a gluten-free diet, get a blood test to determine if the zonulin has gone down in response. If the zonulin hasn’t gotten lower, you need to investigate the state of your gut further. Perhaps your intestines are colonized with bacteria that can cause health problems such as Klebsiella, Citrobacter, or Pseudomonas. There could be proteus causing problems in your intestines.

In summary, reducing your zonulin levels includes taking the following steps:

  • Take gluten out of your diet.
  • Clean up your diet.
  • Rebalance the bacteria in your gut – this can mean getting rid of harmful bacteria and increasing the levels of beneficial bacteria.
  • Treat Candida overgrowth and parasites.

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Questions & Answers

Top Five Food Sources of Short-Chained Fatty Acids

Short-chained fatty acids (SCFAs) are acids that are produced by the fermentation of certain foods in the intestine. SCFAs are excellent fuel for colonic cells. SCFAs also stimulate the cells that produce T cells, a type of immune cell. It’s vital to have proper levels of short-chained fatty acids in your gut. SCFAs help make your gut function well, which contributes to overall health and wellbeing.

One of the best food sources of SCFAs is resistant starch. True to their name, resistant starches break down and ferment very slowly in the digestive tract. The result is that resistant starches provide energy over a long period. Wholegrain cereals like barley and brown rice contain resistant starch. Lentils, green bananas (but not yellow bananas), cooked, cooled potatoes, and sweet potatoes are also excellent sources of resistant fiber.

If you can’t tolerate eating foods high in resistant starch without getting bloated and gassy, I strongly recommend getting a comprehensive stool analysis. If you get symptoms very quickly after eating, a SIBO breath test to determine if you have upper GI bacterial overgrowth is also a good idea.

Foods that contain pectin are also a good source of SCFAs. Pectin-rich foods include berries, apples, apricots, blackberries, carrots, and oranges. Pectin is a kind of starch that also breaks down slowly while feeding the cells that line the small and large intestines.

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The third one is called FOS, or fructooligosaccharides. Some supplement companies include FOS inside probiotic capsules. I’ve not a fan of that combination because too many of my clients have had significant side effects from the FOS/probiotic mix. That’s the reason my CanXida Restore contains no FOS. FOS and inulin, two types of sugars, are found in significant levels in Jerusalem artichokes, onions and leeks, and wheat, and rye, and asparagus. Green beans also contain some FOS.

Larch arabinogalactans, also called mannogalactans, are sugars that help provide the gut with SCFAs. Mannogalactan is also helpful with immune dysfunction, autoimmune disease, and cancer treatment.

Lastly, guar gum rounds out the top five categories of foods that supply short-chain fatty acids. Guar gum is a thickening agent that comes from a type of bean. Very small amounts of guar gum are beneficial for the gut, but large amounts can cause bloating and gas.

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Questions & Answers

How Can I Tell If My Constipation Is A Serious Problem?

Constipation is a concerning condition. Many people are confused about the definition of constipation. They think being constipated means being unable to go to the bathroom at all. The accurate definition of constipation is that it is a change in bowel function that makes it more difficult to pass a bowel movement. Constipation can also include having a small bowel movement, only to find yourself coming back later to pass the rest of the stool.

In my mind, constipation can also describe very irregular bowel motions, maybe a couple of times a week in the morning, and then on another day, they will be going at 9:00 at night. Their bowel will be all over the place. In essence, constipation is difficulty in passing a motion at a regular time every day.

In my opinion, you should start worrying about constipation as soon as you noticed a change in your regular bowel habits.

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If you have become constipated, the first thing I recommend is trying to find the cause behind the effect. Have you changed your lifestyle? Have you changed your diet? Are you eating at more irregular hours? Are you sleeping less, staying up later? Have you had a relationship crisis or a problem at work?

Other reasons to worry about constipation are if you develop bad breath, feel fatigued, notice your joints becoming creaky, or find yourself more irritable than usual. If you’ve seen a decline in your overall health for several weeks or months, you should worry about your constipation.

If constipation is a concern, seek assistance from a medical professional. You want to identify any problem as soon as possible. The sooner you fix what’s causing your constipation, the easier it is to get healthy again.

If you don’t address your constipation, you are at risk of absorbing endotoxins from the gut into your bloodstream. Many authors have written about endotoxemia as a complication of constipation.

Don’t rely on Dr. Google to give you the answers you need about your bowel function. Go and get professional help if you’re concerned about constipation.

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