Possible Cure for Leaky Gut?

[jaym1212]

Recent article (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/media/library/crohn) states that
Crohn's Disease (CD), chronic inflammation of gut lining, may be due to
a reduced response by neutrophils (part of immune system) in keeping
mucosal invaders (even commensal bacteria) in check.

A cursory search for ways to increase the neutrophil's immune response
leads me to suspect that maybe our modern diet is too clean and that
some of us need to include more fungus in our diet! Or more
specifically Beta-Glucans which are a component of fungus (yeast,
mushrooms) cell walls. Any thoughts? See article below:

Beta-Glucan Enhances Action of Immune Cells
Medical Doctors and researchers at Brown Medical School and Rhode
Island hospital have discovered that beta 1,3-D glucan, a natural
compound derived from bakers yeast, binds to receptors on neutrophils,
the most abundant type of immune cell in the body. The beta glucan
caused the neutrophils to take a more direct path to the site of
infection rather than the indirect route normally taken.

Neutrophils are attracted to the site of an infection by blood proteins
called chemoattractants and are among the first cells of the body to
respond to a challenge due to infection or injury. Normally,
neutrophils use such chemoattractants as interleukin-8 to travel to the
site of infection. However, when neutrophils were treated with beta
1,3-D glucan, the neutrophils bypassed the IL-8 and went directly to
the source of infection. Beta 1,3-D appeared to accomplish this by
increasing the neutrophils ability to sense complement fragments
emanating from the site of an infection. As a result, beta glucan helps
neutrophils locate the epicenter of the bacterial infection within
tissue.

This ability to make neutrophils bypass IL-8 and go directly to the
site of infection could result in a more rapid response to infection
and a faster microbial clearance and healing, the researchers
theorized. But, they said, further studies are needed to confirm
whether expediting neutrophils journey to the infection site enhances
immunity.

http://intelegen.com/ImmuneSystem/betaglucan_enhances_action_of_i.htm

 

[montygram]

I had this problem and it almost killed me. I tried almost everything
on the market. What I needed was more stomach acid, and those
supplements are cheap and generic. You can also use vinegar, but then
you don't get the pepsin enzymes that most supplements have.

What happens is that due to the "leaky gut," food gets into the
bloodstream and is targeted as an antigen. Over time, too much
antigenic exposure will weaken the "immune system," shifting it from
Th1 to Th2, as occurs in various acquired immune deficiency syndromes.
In what might be called "classic AIDS," there is often a deadly PCP
infection of the lungs, which is due to the shift, followed by the
fungal overgrowth. In "leaky gut," this occurs in the GI tract. One
should eat a little yogurt with live cultures with every meal too (make
sure it is plain, whole milk, and preferably organic). No need for
expensive supplements.

 

[jaym1212]

> One should eat a little yogurt with live cultures ...

While this is good practice for most, in my case, allergy to milk
product is so severe that just placing it in my mouth causes my ears to
become red in 15 minutes. I do take serveral pre and probiotics through
out the day. But this hasn't healed the leaky gut to any discrenable
degree.

> What happens is that due to the "leaky gut," food gets into the
> bloodstream and is targeted as an antigen.

Yes, this is what seems to be happening. Currently I cannot eat protein
sources such as dairy, eggs, meat, fish, poultry, grains, legumes, nuts
and seeds without deterioration of various tissues through out the
body, even if the food is soaked, sprouted, slow cooked, pressure
cooked and then blended with multi-enzymes into a slurry. In my case,
the least allergenic foods are vegetables and fruits. Currenlty I used
free-form amino acids to augment protein intake.

> I had this problem and it almost killed me.
> I tried almost everything on the market. What I needed was more stomach acid,
> and those supplements are cheap and generic. You can also use vinegar, but then
> you don't get the pepsin enzymes that most supplements have.

Per your suggestion about half a year ago, I started using
plant-enzymes, bromelain, papain, HCl with pepsin and enteric coated
pancreatic enzymes. I also use a quart of vinegar (with salads) during
the course of a week.

But none of the supplements and alternative treatments (meditation,
yoga, exercise) seem to correct the core problem. According to the
sited article, the root problem maybe the sluggish response of one's
neutrophils to bacteria invading gut lining. Other than beta glucans,
can someone recommend ways to increase neutrophil activity along gut
lining?