The devastating gluten and gut bacteria.

The devastating gluten develop inflammation and damage in the intestinal tracts and other parts of the body. Another problem of consuming gluten for a long time is the development of leaky gut.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, barley etc..,Gluten helps the food to maintain their shape and acting as a glue to hold food together .When flour is mixed with water,the gluten proteins form a sticky network that has a glue-like consistency. The two main protein in gluten are glutenin and gliadin. Gliadin is responsible for most of the negative health effects.

Why gluten is bad?

Gluten provides no essential nutrients. They develop inflammation and damage in the intestinal tracts and other parts of the body. By impairing the absorption of vitamins,the disease will lead to various deficiency disease such as anemia,rickets,osteoporosis,scurvy and even autoimmune disorders.

The autoimmune components in the intestine are first to react when gluten is there in the first place. Inflammed intestines would not be able to digest food properly. So it tends to cause turbulent symptoms of stomach cramps,bloating diarrhoea or constipation. Inflammation causes intestines to swell ,making it unable to absorb nutrients from food,causing malabsorption and malnutrition.

What does gluten do to the body?

Gluten triggers an autoimmune response that attacks the linning of the small intestine. The body cannot absorb nutrients into the blood stream properly. There are no drugs or medications to bring about improvement in this condition. There is only one treatment to eliminate all gluten from the diet. The gluten especially gliadin fraction was responsible for the noxious effect.

Celiac disease is the most severe form of gluten intolerance. It is an autoimmune disorder, and involves the body treating gluten as a foreign invader. The immune system attacks the gluten, as well as the lining of the gut. The most common symptoms of celiac disease are digestive discomfort, tissue damage in the small intestines, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, headache, tiredness, skin rashes, depression, weight loss and foul smelling faeces. IBS is a common digestive disorder that causes symptoms like abdominal pain , cramping, bloating, gas and diarrhoea.

Celiac disease may be a factor in schizophrenia. The mental symptoms caused by celiac disease very closely resemble those of the schizophrenic like marked mood and behavioural changes-“GUT BRAIN AXIS”.When avoiding gluten the mental conditions involved markedly,followed closely by improvements in physical symptoms. Daily consumption of wheat may trigger inflammation because it release the inflammation causing substances.

What is leaky gut syndrome and how does it occur?

Leaky gut can allow unhealthy substances such as undigested food particles, yeast,bacteria or even gluten molecules into the bloodstream. The body will react to these foreign bodies resulting in allergies, IBS, inflammations, malnutrition and other constant battles with compromised gut health. Another problem of consuming gluten for a long time is the development of leaky gut. As the name implies, it is caused when the intestines becomes too porous, allowing foreign particles to enter the blood stream. It happens when prolonged inflammation and swelling of the intestines causes its inner walls to become more permeable and hence allowing larger molecules to pass through.

Do probiotics help with gluten intolerance and leaky gut?

Probiotics are good bacteria naturally found in the intestines. They play some very important roles in the body, such as counter-balancing the bad bacteria, producing certain vitamins, aiding nutrient absorption and stimulating the immune system. Probiotics helps to reduce the damage caused by gliadin from food.

Adequate numbers of good bacteria may helps to reduce the body’s inflammatory response to gliadin. Probiotics might work by strengthening the integrity of the intestines and down regulate inflammatory symptoms. Probiotics acts as a slave to heal inflamed intestines, as well as “stop leak”remedy to relieve leaky gut.

Probiotics and prebiotics:

1. PROBIOTICS-live bacteria found in certain foods or supplements.they can provide numerous health benefits.

2. PREBIOTICS-these substances comes from types of carbohydrates(mostly fiber)that humans can’t digest but the beneficial bacteria will eat this fiber so,the prebiotics can help ensure to have the right balance of these bacteria.

Why are the gut bacteria beneficial?

The good bacteria in digestive tract help to protect from harmful bacteria and fungi. They also send signals to immune system and help regulate inflammation. Some gut bacteria form vitamin-k and short chain fatty acid. Short chain fatty acid are the main nutrient source of the cells lining the colon.They promote a strong gut barrier that helps keep out harmful substances,viruses and bacteria.This also reduces inflammation and may reduce the risk of cancer.