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A healthy gut microbiome is incredibly important as around 90% of the immune system is located in the gut! That’s quite a staggering figure, but it shows the importance of keeping the gut healthy and the microbiome strong. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most common autoimmune diseases, and their link with Leaky Gut.
One of the main issues with Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity, involves the thyroid. The body attacks the thyroid tissue as it recognises it as a foreign body. The reason the body sees thyroid tissue as a threat, is down to molecular mimicry. When the immune system releases antibodies to get rid of a threat, they bind at what is known as the ‘active site’, or ‘antigen binding site’. Antibodies are Y shaped proteins, and on the tips of the Y, the binding sites are found. These are a specific shape, to match the proteins on the antigens (the threatening particles). Take a look at the diagram at the top of this blog! Despite food particles clearly being very different to thyroid tissue cells, some of the attached proteins are the same shape on both the food particle and on the thyroid tissue cells. Gluten and Casein (dairy) are particularly alike to thyroid tissue cells, so when an antibody detects the protein it fits with, and binds to it, there’s a high chance it may be thyroid tissue instead of its real target; the food particle.
A condition we hear a lot about, particularly on a professional basis as well as on social media posts when people ask advice on their poorly pets, is Inflammatory Bowel Disease. As per it’s name, this involves inflammation in the bowel, which can be as a result of Leaky Gut. When looking at IBD, diet is so important – many processed foods contain emulsifiers, which can include Cellulose Gum, and Polysorbate-80 (though this one is most inhuman foods, not pet foods). These have been found to interrupt interactions between the bacteria in the intestine, and the gut wall; resulting in the gut wall being less protected than it would be without the presence of these substances. This lack of positive interaction, teamed with the already permeable gut wall (due to Leaky Gut) can cause the onset of IBD.
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Yeast, and Candida can also contribute to IBD (and are all symptoms of Leaky Gut), which causes inflammation of the bowel, which further increases the risk of IBD onset.
Studies show a huge affect on gut permeability when up-regulation of the protein called Zonulin is present. Zonulin helps regulate the permeability of the small intestine, but is detrimental in high numbers as it causes the gut to become more permeable. It is secreted by numerous organs within the body, and can be linked to Leaky Gut and the onset of IBD.
IMHA is one of the more worrying autoimmune diseases, with a mortality rate close to 70%. There are many reasons a dog may be diagnosed with IMHA, including Vaccine Induced IMHA. When a dog has IMHA, the body is attacking it’s own red blood cells, which are important for transportation of oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body for healthy muscle usage.
IMHA can be caused in some rare cases, by a deficiency in Vitamin B12, which can be linked back to Leaky Gut. IMHA is also often as a knock on effect of other autoimmune diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Largely linked to Leaky Gut, Diabetes mellitus often requires lifelong medication. Similarly to the mimicry of thyroid tissues by antigens like Gluten and Casein, the onset of diabetes can be facilitated through normal cells being attacked incorrectly by the antibodies circulating the bloodstream. With diabetes cases, the immune reactions affect, and damage pancreatic beta cells (responsible for producing and secreting insulin), which then causes the over-production of cytokines, which in turn causes insulin resistance within the body. Healing the gut, and decreasing gut permeability may help relieve sufferers of diabetes symptoms. Studies show Type 1 Diabetes can be caused as a result of gut damage, but can also cause gut damage.
ITP is a platelet disorder, in which sufferers are unable to properly clot blood due to low platelet counts. Pathogenesis of ITP as a result of leaky gut has been proven to be due to imbalances in the gut microbiota, and the presence of cytokines which interfere with metabolism of fats. Patients with Leaky Gut, as we know, have a very imbalanced microbiome as bacteria leaks out through the channels in the gut wall. Certain strains of bacteria play an essential role at keeping ITP at bay, but are found to be of low levels in those diagnosed with ITP. When these helpful bacteria are leaked from the gut, cytokine production is increased, which then affects the metabolism of fats, which in turn causes pathogenesis of ITP because the lack of fat metabolism causes a lack of available fatty acids to enable the blood to clot.
The previously mentioned protein called Zonulin plays a part in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA); a joint related autoimmune condition. Just like in IBD, when Zonulin is over-represented, the gut permeability cannot be controlled, and allows useful and harmful substances to enter the blood stream, which are then detected as threats by the immune system. The upregulation of Zonulin, paired with the downregulation of Tight Junction barrier cells (the cells in the gut wall which help form a tight barrier, and therefore a strong gut integrity), causes more leakage of particles into the body, which in turn causes major inflammation throughout the joints in the body, causing RA. As with other autoimmune conditions, specific strains of good bacteria in the microbiome being leaked and attacked cause the onset of RA.
There are two types of Lupus; Systemic, and Discoid. Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) affects the skin, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) affects multiple organs. DLE often progresses into SLE, and little is known of it’s genetic contribution. As DLE can be linked to SLE, we will focus on discussing SLE in this blog.
As mentioned above, SLE affects many organs, and for that reason, there are many clinical signs and symptoms, including:
– Facial rashes (malar rash)
– Eczema type rashes (discoid rash)
– Photosensitivity
– Oral ulcers
– Arthritis
– Serositis (inflammation of connective tissues)
– Renal (kidney) disease
– Neurological disorders
– Presence of antinuclear antibodies
– Blood diseases
A study carried out in 2020, showed gut leakage to cause progression of lupus, due to molecules passing through the gut wall causing systemic inflammation (general inflammation throughout the body), apoptosis (cell destruction), and production of auto-antibodies, knows as Anti-dsDNA (which attack and kill cells as part of an autoimmune response).
There is strong evidence to suggest that lupus is related to low tolerance of the microbiota found in the gut, which when leaks, wreaks havoc and causes the patient to become symptomatic.
As the condition relates to intolerance of leaked microbes from the gut, the upregulation of Zonulin in an individual will facilitate the translocation of bacteria through the gut wall, and into the blood stream, bringing a higher risk of worsening symptoms of SLE.
We can support the body to cope with autoimmunity, and also protect the body from developing some autoimmune diseases, through diet and correct supplementation.
Ensuring the diet is free of any ingredients which may contribute to Leaky Gut is essential. These ingredients include lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas, peanuts and other legumes, as well as nightshades such as white potatoes and tomatoes. Of course, we recommend a fresh diet, whether it’s raw, or cooked.
Feeding a fresh diet (ie not processed) will contribute to overall gut health as the manufacturing process or processed foods inhibits production of various gut unfriendly substances, including microscopic moulds and other toxins, and glyphosate.
A recent study has proven that a diet rich in polyphenols induces changes to the gut microbiota, and subsequently reduces gut permeability. Polyphenols can only be found in plant matter – it’s very important to look at appropriate sources of polyphenols for dogs, as popular sources in human studies are toxic to dogs (such as Theobromine, found in chocolate and methylxanthines found in green tea). Berries, nuts (bar macadamias) and seeds are often great sources of polyphenols.
Dietary fibre can benefit the commensal bacteria in the gut,by keeping it strong. Almonds, fruits and vegetables (especially leafy greens)are all great sources of fibre.
Gut healing supplements are essential to help increase gut wall stability and reduce permeability, to in turn, reduce leakage from the gut and reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases developing, and to also relieve symptoms of those already diagnoses with one of the aforementioned autoimmune diseases. Slippery Elm, Marshmallow Root and Deglycyrrhizinated Liquorice (DGL) are great for gut healing.
To recolonise the gut with good bacteria, probiotics would be a great addition to the regime. Using a good, clean probiotic, for example a soil based probiotic (SBO) is a great place to start. Many studies mentioned throughout this blog state a positive affiliation between introducing probiotics into the diet, and reducing symptoms of various autoimmune diseases.
L-Glutamine is commonly used in humans and dogs with leaky gut, and is particularly useful for those with IBD. A study in 2019 showed that introducing this supplement to patients with IBD resulted in a huge reduction of major IBD symptoms.
Digestive Enzymes may be useful for those struggling with digestion due to a leaky gut, especially at the beginning of your pet’s gut healing journey.
Quercetin is a dietary flavonoid. Flavonoids are great for creating a strong intestinal barrier, and ultimately helping to heal the gut. They are also a natural antihistamine, so may also reduce the histamine response caused by foreign bodies being leaked from the gut to the bloodstream.
If your dog has been diagnosed with Leaky Gut, or any of the autoimmune conditions discussed above, please don’t hesitate to book in with one of our team!
Team MPN x
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