The Relationship Between Leaky Gut and Celiac Disease

If you have Celiac Disease or a gluten intolerance, and you maintain a diet that eliminates gluten but find that you still suffer from body tension, skin problems and general malaise — it might be your gut trying to tell you something!

Leaky gut is when the intestinal lining — the first in the line of defense for our immune system — allows unscreened and undigested molecules to flow directly into the bloodstream.

Normally, we have tight junctions in our intestines that contain microvilli at the tips which absorb digested nutrients and transport them through the epithelial cells to mucosa cells that then move into the bloodstream. When this process is disrupted, the gut’s tight junction loosens and causing this filtration system to backfire as the mucosa is no longer acting as the filtration mechanism. This is when unwanted molecules are able to flow directly into the bloodstream causing an array of bodily reactions and symptoms.

The Body’s Reaction

Think of it as a game of connect the dots — each point affecting the next.

First, your liver is overworked trying to screen out the “threat” which is these unwanted molecules like toxins, yeast, food molecules and pathogens that are being deposited directly into your bloodstream.

Next, your immune system sounds the alarm. Your liver can’t possibly filter everything out — so, the process of inflammation begins.

This can be presented as bloating, pain, skin issues, muscle soreness and feelings of illness.

Everybody has different symptoms but it is essentially your immune system’s way of saying “hey, I’m stressed out!” Your body then begins to prepare itself for a “fight” mode to calm the inflamed areas, fight off unwanted bacteria and to keep your bloodstream clear.

This can have an effect on your energy, mood, and overall feeling of well-being.

Complications

When your body has undergone this process frequently, it can lead to autoimmune disorders like Chronic Fatigue, UC, IBS, Fibromyalgia — and can also trigger reactions from existing diseases you could have like Celiac disease.  If you suffer from Inter-cystitis or Endometriosis, hormone-based conditions, gluten allergies can develop from the stress as well.

Your body will also create antibodies that can sometimes be stress reactive to the foods you eat.  You could react to Casein in milk even if you’re not Lactose intolerant, you could develop your gluten allergy during this period, and you could even be sensitive to acidic foods— all because of a leaky gut.

A leaky gut can actually be the culprit of Celiac disease and its severity— the two are very much connected. If you find you’re allergic to many more foods other than gluten, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about your symptoms so you can treat the problem from the source!