Chances are you haven’t heard of Zonulin.
But this protein, discovered about 20 years ago by Dr. Alessio Fasano, has changed our understanding of how toxic substances are able to enter the body. These substances cause chronic inflammation which can eventually lead to a wide range of health conditions from cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disease. But they are also the root cause of many digestive conditions such bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, skin rashes, joint pain, and food cravings!
Healthy Digestion
Normally, when we eat food, it is broken down into its most basic nutrient elements by digestion in the gut. These very tiny nutrients are then absorbed into the cells lining the small intestine where they are then taken up by the bloodstream and delivered to where they are needed.
In addition to taking in nutrients, the gut lining plays another important role. These specialized cells also serve as a protective barrier against any harmful elements that might be in the digestive tract. When the gut is healthy, they form an impermeable wall that prevents larger undigested food particles, harmful microbes, and toxic chemicals from getting into the body. In order to do this, they are held closely together using “tight-junction” proteins called occludins.
But this protective barrier in the gut is broken down when zonulin is present.
What is Zonulin?
Zonulin is a protein that is produced in the small intestine. When zonulin is released, its job is to break the tight junctions made by the occludins. We don't exactly know why zonulin exists, although it is thought to protect the body from harmful toxins by helping flood the gut with fluids and flushing them out (think, diarrhea.)
But if zonulin is released in the gut at other times, these broken junctions can interfere with normal digestion by creating large spaces between the cells lining the gut. It’s not unusual for these spaces to periodically open and close. But, if the tight junctions are constantly bombarded and open up too much, they begin to allow large foreign particles through. These particles then enter into the bloodstream where they shouldn’t be. When this happens, the body responds to what it sees as a threat and begins to mount an inflammatory response as protection.
This condition is called intestinal permeability or Leaky Gut Syndrome.
Zonulin breaks the occludin proteins that hold the gut cells together, allowing large particles to enter the bloodstream where they are deemed a threat. Source: Dr. Brent Dorval, KBMO
As I mentioned before, symptoms of Leaky Gut and inflammation can include digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and feeling overly full. But they can also be the root cause of many less obvious but chronic health problems, such as joint pain, skin issues such as rashes or acne, mood swings, foggy thinking, and fatigue. Worse yet, over time, chronic inflammation can lead to some of the major health problems facing our country today: heart disease, obesity, cancer, and Type II diabetes.
The good news is that this process is reversible when zonulin levels are reduced.
But first, we need to understand why high zonulin levels occur.
Much of it comes down to diet.
What causes high zonulin levels?
So far studies have identified two major causes for the release of zonulin in the small intestine: harmful bacteria and gluten.
Bacteria
An imbalance between the harmful and beneficial bacteria in the gut, known as dysbiosis, can trigger the release of zonulin. A diet high in refined sugars and carbohydrates, such as the Standard American Diet, allows the growth of harmful bacteria. When these pathogenic bacteria are allowed to proliferate, they "crowd out" the healthy probiotic bacteria, triggering the release of zonulin. As a result, zonulin levels rise.
Gluten
Another factor causing the release of zonulin is gluten-containing food. Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. It is also added to processed foods to give them more protein, texture, and flavor. Gluten contains two smaller molecules, gliadin and glutenin. Studies have shown that these two components – especially gliadin - are responsible for the release of zonulin and triggering intestinal permeability.
It is widely known that gluten can cause serious health problems in those suffering from Celiac disease by disrupting the normal function of the gut lining. It’s interesting to note that high zonulin levels have been found not only in those with Celiac disease but also in gluten-sensitive individuals who may not even be aware of this condition.
Do you have high zonulin levels?
If you suffer from… 1
- digestive symptoms, such as
- gas and bloating
- diarrhea or constipation
- heartburn or acid reflux
- non-digestive symptoms, such as
- Skin Irritation, Lesions, Acne, Rashes
- Joint Pain
- Brain Fog
- Food sensitivities and allergies
- Food cravings (e.g. carbs)
- Fatigue (e.g. after eating)
- Anxiety, Depression
…you may be suffering from a leaky gut and inflammation. Testing zonulin levels is one way to find out if leaky gut is the cause of your symptoms.
Zonulin can be tested using a simple finger-prick blood test. Ask your doctor about getting tested or contact me for help.
I work with the medical diagnostic lab KBMO Diagnostics and the Food Inflammation Test (FIT). The test identifies 132 different possible food sensitivities resulting from undigested food particles entering the bloodstream and causing inflammation in the body. AND it now tests for the presence of zonulin too! When zonulin is active in the gut, it passes through the weakened occludin junctions along with undigested food particles. If high zonulin levels are present in the bloodstream, chances are good you have a leaky gut. The good news is this can be healed by improved diet and lifestyle habits.
Let me know if you have any questions about zonulin, inflammation, or Leaky Gut. Happy to answer any of your questions!
Yours in Health,
Evey
