MD Wellness


Leaky gut syndrome is a chronic condition where you will experience an inflammatory reaction to various foods and chemical exposures. Leaky gut syndrome is the result of an immune system problem where your mucus membranes found in your intestines (gut), oral and nasal mucosa become excessively permeable and allows foreign proteins (and other antigens) to “leak” into your circulation. These foreign invaders then affect your immune system leading to an inflammatory response.  

Many people that are suffering from leaky gut syndrome also suffer from other chronic problems and may be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), depression, multiple sclerosis, dementia, paroxysmal orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and many other syndromes. If you have leaky gut syndrome you likely also experience other symptoms including fatigue, muscle and joint pain, cognitive problems (brain fog), gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, irritable bowel), unstable body temperature, unexplained rashes, dizziness and vertigo, headaches, red and burning eyes, hormonal problems, sleep issues, unexplained weight gain and many more. Many people suffering from leaky gut syndrome will eventually experience secondary symptoms related to immune dysfunction, hormonal imbalances and autonomic nervous system failure.

The underlying cause of most cases of leaky gut syndrome is inflammation related to an immune system response to a biological toxin also known as chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). Common biological toxins causing/contributing to CIRS include exposure to the contents of a water damaged building (WDB) like mold, fungus, bacteria and other organisms as well as metabolic byproducts of the metabolism of these organisms (proteinases, hemolysins, volatile organic compounds, endotoxins, beta glucans mannans, spirocyclic drimanes). Other CIRS producing biological toxins include Lyme disease, exposure to toxic blue – green algae, brown recluse spider bites and poisoned fish.

The treatment for leaky gut syndrome requires an intelligent, systematic approach that includes the following:

  1. Identify that you have a case of CIRS – through a battery of tests
  2. Avoid/remove the offending biological toxin from your environment
  3. Use special products to remove biotoxins from your body
  4. Take steps to restore control to your immune system, hormone system and nervous system through a metabolically directed functional medicine approach
leaky gut