
What Causes Leaky Gut?
According to Dr. Josh Axe, 80% of Americans have a leaky gut to some degree. When you consider the new science linking the gut to neurology, rheumatology, cancer, diabetes, and childhood obesity he could be right. And in turn, Hippocrates ancient conviction the "all disease begins in the gut" sounds more reasonable all the time. So, what causes leaky gut and what are the risk factors everyone should know to protect our health? The average human digestive tract is home to as many as 1,000 species of microorganisms. Most of them are harmless — or even helpful — under normal circumstances. But when something upsets the balance of these organisms in your gut, otherwise harmless bacteria and yeast can grow out of control and make you sick (candida yeast, h. pylori, E. coli, staph, strep, C. diff). In addition to the infection, these opportunistic organisms alter the permeability of your mucous membranes allowing the outside world to enter your bloodstream, and creating an autoimmune response to such benign substances as pollen, synthetic fabric fibers, pet dander and foods you commonly eat. Proper permeability of your mucous membranes is your front line of defense against pathogens in the world around you.