Can Cannabis Treat Leaky Gut Syndrome?
The term ¨leaky gut” is something that is quite touched on lately. Especially now that there is much more focus on healthy eating and the general improvement of life quality. The condition is also called Increased Intestinal Permeability. We know that the term ¨permeable¨ means that there are super tiny openings that allow stuff to pass through. In the conventional medical world, the majority of medical professionals do not see Leaky Gut as a condition. But contrary to their belief, there is enough scientific proof to verify that leaky gut is real.
What does it mean to have a Leaky Gut?
The moment food enters your digestive tract, the process of breaking it down starts. As whatever you take in might not be good for you, the intestine walls act as barriers to protect you against harmful things entering the bloodstream. There are tiny gaps in the intestinal walls to allow nutrients and water to pass through. Harmful substances are blocked. The permeability of the walls indicates the easiness of letting it through.
The problem starts when these tiny junctions start separating and become loose. The gut is now more permeable, and more toxins and harmful bacteria enter into the bloodstream. This is when you end up with constant inflammation and triggers a response from the immune system. Numerous reactions could happen like bloating, severe fatigue, sensitivity to food, various digestive issues, and also skin problems.
While certain doctors don´t accept this as a medical condition, those who stand for it state that it could be the cause of many issues. Some of these issues include migraines, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, mood swings, skin problems, autism, thyroid problems, and food sensitivities. Other medical issues like auto-immune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, depression, and anxiety are also linked to a Leaky Gut.
A Healthy Gut is Important
Medical practitioners have been understanding the importance of a healthy gut for many years now. I am talking more than a thousand years already. Medical texts referring to stomach health were found already in 1500 BC. It goes even further down the pipeline if we count Chinese medicine in. Hippocrates, that is known as the father of medicine concluded that ¨all diseases begin in the gut¨. One thing is for certain, a healthy gut is very important. An unhealthy gut leads to hormonal problems that again spills over to mood disorders and stress.
What is the cause of a Leaky Gut?
Many factors play a role to cause a leaky gut. Some factors that directly lead to this problem are:
Too Much Sugar – today, refined sugary products are found almost in every product on the shelf. Too much sugar is harmful, especially fructose. The barrier function of the intestinal walls is damaged with too much sugar.
Too much alcohol – too much alcohol hurts the stomach and intestinal lining.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – These types of drugs, like aspirin and Ibuprofen, are harmful to the intestinal lining. Prolonged usage leads to a leaky gut.
Nutrient deficiencies – a deficiency in particularly vitamins A and D, as well as zinc, have been found to increase stomach permeability.
Poor gut health- millions of bacteria are found in the gut. Some are good and some are bad. There is a perfect balance between them and when this balance is disturbed, it can lead to a leaky gut.
Yeast overgrowth – when the yeast in the stomach grows too much, it can also lead to a leaky gut.
Stress and inflammation – both these conditions over a long period lead to a leaky gut.
How can cannabis help?
As the cannabinoids in cannabis have an interaction with the endocannabinoid system, it has many positive effects on various health issues. As with the effect on Leaking Gut Syndrome, it acts as an antioxidant and therefore influences intestinal permeability. At the same time, it also reduces inflammation and combats nausea. Any pain related to the disease is also relieved.
Cannabinoids Influence Intestinal Permeability
Studies show that the phytocannabinoids THC and CBD both decrease intestinal permeability. At the same time, the application of these cannabinoids to intestinal epithelial cells increased the expression of the tight junction protein, claudin-1. This protein is involved in cell-to-cell adhesion.
Cannabis prevents inflammation
When inflammation is treated, side-effects like constipation are relieved. When there is chronic inflammation, the enterocytes (epithelial cells that line the intestines), gets progressively damaged. This increases the possibility of stomach permeability. Both THC and CBD reverse the process.
Cannabis is a great Antioxidant
When you are exposed to oxidative stress, cell damage is a given occurrence. This leads to inflammation. Cannabis can stabilize these effects.
Cannabis has antimicrobial actions
Because cannabis is also an antibacterial agent, it influences the composition of the microbiome positively. When there is an imbalance in the microbiome, it opens the door to intestinal impermeability.
Cannabinoids can Suppress the Immune System
When the immune system is imbalanced, it could also cause a leaky gut. The CB2 receptor is present on the surface of many types of immune cells that could cause inflammation. THC is a CB2 antagonist and can suppress the immune system. As a result, many autoimmune problems related to Leaking Gut Syndrome can be treated.
Final Thoughts
Much more could be said about a leaky gut. One thing is clear though, treating intestinal permeability with cannabis has very positive outcomes.
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