Recently, I listened to an excellent webinar titled “The Gut/Brain Connection” by Dr. Kalish.  Much of the information provided reinforced the functional nutrition approach I use to seizures.  One of many specifics that I took away from the webinar was the importance that emotional stress alone can cause leaky gut.

An individual does not have to have pathogens  or a food reaction to create a leaky gut.  Emotional stress alone can create an inflammatory response that can prompt catabolic physiology.  When the body is under emotional stress alone the body will create a catabolic reaction. When a person perceives stress on an emotional level the body is gearing up for something really bad to happen, such as getting ready to fight an infection even if there’s no infection present.  The emotional stress then prompts the body to acquire more glucose.  The body will break down lean muscles mass and lean tissue, including the mucosal lining (that protects the gut) seeking the amino acid glutamine for fuel.  Keep in mind that glutamine is the precursor to GABA and we often see a breakdown in the glutamine/GABA conversion with children and adults that are prone to seizures.  Many studies have demonstrated that leaky gut and a leaky brain can precede seizures and that specifically targeted amino acids can relieve seizures. Read more on Glutamine/GABA here.

When we are stressed, the body will use ancillary (additional) methods for fuel.  The body will shred the gut lining in an effort to pull amino acids from the gut lining.  The body does this with muscle mass as well.   Again, because of catabolic physiology emotional stress can cause a massive leaky gut.

GI Warning Signs

  • Constipation, diarrhea or alternating of these symptoms
  • Gas and bloating
  • IBS
  • Joint and muscle aches and pains
  • Anemia
  • Increase in allergies resulting from leaky gut
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Immune dysfunction

OR

  • no symptoms whatsoever

Be well,

Lynn