Alzheimer’s disease and the links to the gut intestinal flora

In the latest years the scientific research community turned towards the gut microbiota endless possibilities to improve our health. We are becoming more aware of this every month passing by (you can find more in-depth information related to the gut intestinal flora in my own book treating this subject).

So, the leaky gut was just recognized lately as a medical problem, and it is noticed quite often in our patients, contributing to increased inflammation and other various conditions. Just think about this! Many of us will do everything possible to secure our house, to ensure that everything is locked, roof is in perfect condition, windows closed and pipes are well maintained. Yet, we do not take a similar approach to tighten the barriers in our body, starting with crucial systems like our gut.

All the cells lining our gastrointestinal tract need to maintain tight junctions (this will happen as a protein complex with occludin acts like a sealant between our cells). The cell lining will keep the food inside our gut and only few selected molecules such as aminoacids resulted from proteins breaking down can pass through and reach the bloodstream, being carried everywhere throrough the body. Sometimes this cell junction starts to loosen up, under the influence of soft drinks or alcohol, chemicals from pesticids, sugar, processed foods, gluten sensitivity, preservatives, yeast, inflammation, chronic stress and medication (aspirin and acetaminophen are just two examples of it). As the…