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4 Surprising Causes of Gut Toxicity

Do you experience constant fatigue? Are you having weight difficulties? Is your memory suddenly foggy, hazy, not as good as it used to be? You may have gut toxicity!

Gut toxicity is believed to be the stealthy cause of various health issues such as depression, obesity, and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). This article will reveal some of the most surprising causes of gut toxicity and how to preserve gut health.

What is Gut Toxicity?

Gut toxicity has been creating a storm in the field of natural and holistic medicine. This growth in concern is because more and more studies are proving the link between gut health and various health problems 1.

This condition happens when there’s a large number of toxins present in the intestinal tract. In turn, those with gut toxicity may feel gastrointestinal distress and other GI problems. These toxins come from microorganisms that naturally inhabit the gut and those that are ingested.

It is normal to find toxins in the gut from normal intestinal flora, but these toxins are within a harmless level. In fact, they’re actually a necessary part of our digestive tract.

Removing Toxins from the Gut Biome

The human body’s defense system has a way of eliminating toxins to prevent the destruction of the gut cells and an increase in intestinal permeability. This built-in system is key for fighting off autoimmune disease and healing a Leaky Gut.

Once the toxin level is heightened, the intestinal walls become more permeable. This causes microorganisms to leak into the blood stream and trigger infection. If this is not controlled, the body will experience chronic inflammation, which can put a person at risk of insulin resistance, heart disease, stroke, and many other diseases.

4 Surprising Causes of Gut Toxicity

There are a number of reasons the gut biome becomes compromised by toxins. Obviously, eating a diet rich in saturated fats, allergens, and artificial flavors can cause GI issues. However, there are some surprising factors that are ruining your gut biome. Here are four surprising causes of gut toxicity.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

You probably have one of these in your medicine cabinet. We tend to consider NSAIDs as heroes because they alleviate pain, decrease inflammation, lower temperature, and prevent blood clots. Some of the most popular NSAIDs include:

Nuff said about NSAIDs

  • Ibuprofen
  • Aspirin
  • Naproxen
  • NSAIDS and Prostglandin

    One of the effects of NSAIDs in the body is reduced prostaglandin level 2. Prostaglandin is a lipid compound that is present in almost every part of the human body, including the gastrointestinal tract. For those with GI problems, prostaglandin protects the mucosal lining. That makes symptoms such as constipation more tolerable and may help rebuild the barrier when figuring how to repair a Leaky Gut.

    When prostaglandins are reduced, gastric acid production becomes lower 3. This action may cause an imbalance in the population of normal intestinal flora. Excessive microbial growth may result to increased toxin levels in the gut.

    Black Mold Exposure

    This one may sound particularly surprising for others because: how can molds hurt the gut?

    Are you surrounded?

    Aren’t they supposed to live in walls, damp spaces or bathrooms? Doesn’t that sound a little like your gut?

    Black mold illness is not caused by the actual mold, but of the toxins that it produces.

    Humans can breathe these in and if the condition is right, become infested.

    Mold toxins or mycotoxins consist of a fatty membrane that may protect them from acidity until they reach the GI tract 4.

    Mycotoxins and Gut Health

    These fatty components displace some parts of the fat-based compound, prostaglandin, which is found in the intestinal lining. Such action leads to prostaglandin degradation, a process that can make the gut susceptible to diseases.

    Once the gut becomes more permeable due to infection, mold toxins can travel to the bloodstream to the brain, where they can trigger chemical imbalance throughout the body. Toxins from toxic black mold are known as one of the most harmful substances for the gut.

    Antibiotics

    Antibiotics are prescribed to fight microorganisms that cause diseases. However, these medications are not really that specific. Most of them destroy the normal intestinal flora in the gut along with the target microorganism.

    Antibiotics and Gut Health

    This cleanse causes “gastrointestinal dysbiosis”, a state where there is an imbalance in the gut microbial count 5.

    Blurry lines

    Remember that the intestinal tract has “normal flora” that facilitate certain processes and help defend the body from pathogens. That’s why research suggests using probiotics supplements to coincide with a round of antibiotics 6.

    Each time you take antibiotics, the population of these helpful microbes is reduced, paving way form pathogens. These pathogens consume oxygen, sugars, and radicals released during the disruption and inflammatory response. The gut is further weakened by the toxins produced by these pathogens.

    Stress

    The medical community recognizes the connection between the brain and the gut. Chronic and acute stress increases gastric secretion, mucosal permeability, visceral sensitivity, barrier function, and gut motility. These are shown in this study 7.

    Familiar sight?

    According to this research, stress weakens the immune system 8. This means, if you are stressed, you are more likely to contract diseases.

    Immune defenses in the gut are impaired, which allows pathogens to proliferate and flood the gut with toxins. Since the mucosal lining has also become more permeable, these toxins can leak into the bloodstream and affect other organs.

    This result starts a vicious cycle of inflammation.

    How to Take Care of Gut Health From Gut Toxicity

    Now that you have a firm understanding of what may cause gut toxicity, it’s time to get your gut health on track. Here is how to prevent gut toxicity.

    Be Cautious of Medications

    Do not take any medicine on a long-term basis without the supervision of a health professional. You must also take medications as prescribed by a licensed physician to prevent gastrointestinal dysbiosis, other GI problems, and damage to other organs.

    Shift to Healthy Proteins and Organic Foods

    Processed foods contain additives that can put you at risk of heart disease, kidney problems, hypertension, and intestinal permeability due to chronic inflammation.

    Whole food wellness

    Animals fed with antibiotics can pass these into your system when you consume the meat 9.

    Your gut is made up proteins that are constantly exposed to stress.

    Make sure your body has adequate protein supply to replace damaged parts.

    Start a small dietary change by replacing your sugary or salty snacks with organic dried fruit bulk.

    Clean Your Home Thoroughly

    This is particularly important after a flood or water leak to any part of your home. As mentioned earlier, toxic black mold releases toxins that can weaken the gut. This type of mold thrives in moist areas with high-cellulose content, such as drywall and floorboards.

    Check every corner of your home for possible mold growth. Remove mold as soon as possible using bleach, water, and brush. For heavy infestations, it is advised to contact a professional mold exterminator.

    Avoid Stress

    Stress triggers a series of reactions with undesirable results. These include impaired immune function, premature aging, and inflammation.

    To avoid these, re-evaluate your lifestyle and eliminate stressors. Meditation is also proven to be effective in stress management.

    Microbiome Testing

    The best way to handle gut toxicity is to find out what’s in your gut biome. Use the Thryve Microbiome Testing Kit to see which microbes have taken residence in your gut biome. Based on the results of the Thryve Microbiome Testing Kit, you will get a monthly subscription with tailor-made probiotics.

    These probiotics supplements are formulated specifically for the intestinal flora in your system and to help you rebuild gut flora that is beneficial for optimal wellness.

    Click Here To View Resources

    Resources

    • 1 Kho, Z. Y., & Lal, S. K. (2018). The Human Gut Microbiome – A Potential Controller of Wellness and Disease. Frontiers in microbiology, 9, 1835. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.01835.
    • 2 Wongrakpanich, S., Wongrakpanich, A., Melhado, K., & Rangaswami, J. (2018). A Comprehensive Review of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use in The Elderly. Aging and disease, 9(1), 143–150. doi:10.14336/AD.2017.0306.
    • 3 Kauffman, G L. “The Role of Prostaglandins in the Regulation of Gastric Mucosal Blood Flow.” Prostaglandins, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1981, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7029652.
    • 4 Liew, et al. “Mycotoxin: Its Impact on Gut Health and Microbiota.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 12 Feb. 2018, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00060/full.
    • 5 Le Roy, C. I., Woodward, M. J., Ellis, R. J., La Ragione, R. M., & Claus, S. P. (2019). Antibiotic treatment triggers gut dysbiosis and modulates metabolism in a chicken model of gastro-intestinal infection. BMC veterinary research, 15(1), 37. doi:10.1186/s12917-018-1761-0.
    • 6 “Getting Your Probiotic Fix When Taking Antibiotics.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/getting-your-probiotic-fix-when-taking-antibiotics.
    • 7 KONTUREK, P.C., et al. “STRESS AND THE GUT: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, CLINICAL CONSEQUENCES, DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH AND TREATMENT OPTIONS.” JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY, 2011, www.jpp.krakow.pl/journal/archive/12_11/pdf/591_12_11_article.pdf.
    • 8 Morey, J. N., Boggero, I. A., Scott, A. B., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2015). Current Directions in Stress and Human Immune Function. Current opinion in psychology, 5, 13–17. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.03.007.
    • 9 National Research Council (US) Committee to Study the Human Health Effects of Subtherapeutic Antibiotic Use in Animal Feeds. The Effects on Human Health of Subtherapeutic Use of Antimicrobials in Animal Feeds. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1980. Appendix K, Antibiotics In Animal Feeds. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK216502/.
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