NON-FOOD GUT TOXINS
We always talk about food. but what about everything else that gets in our gut that has the potential to damage it? the FIRST step of gut healing is identifying toxic exposures and eliminating them so review this list in full and make sure these toxins aren’t damaging your gut because if you DON’T eliminate these toxins then no amount of healing will help!!!!
1. NSAIDS: NSAIDS stand for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are common “pain killers” that you can buy over the counter. they include: aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin® and Advil®), naproxen (Aleve®). Tylenol is NOT in this category and although not great for your liver in high doses (over 3 g) it is much safer for your gut in general. Virtually all studies agree that all NSAIDs increase gut permeability within 24 h of ingestion and that this is equally evident when they are taken long term. Gut permeability from NSAIDS leads to low-grade gut inflammation. Disruption of the gut barrier is associated with many small bowel diseases. NSAIDs also have microvascular effects that aggravate inflammation and lead to macroscopic damage, such as erosions and ulcers in the stomach and the small bowel.
What to do? Find alternatives to NSAIDS- tylenol, local therapy such as balms, creams + injections, consult with a pain management specialist if you find yourself taking these medications on a regular basis for chronic pain.
2. MICROPLASTICS: Microplastics — tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 mm in length — are everywhere, from bottled water to food packaging and food to the air. People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have more microplastics in their feces than healthy controls. Poop samples from IBD patients contained about 1.5 times more microplastic particles per gram than those from healthy subjects. The two most common types of plastic in both groups were polyethylene terephthalate (PET; used in bottles and food containers) and polyamide (PA; found in food packaging and textiles). People with more severe IBD symptoms tended to have higher levels of fecal microplastics.
What to do? Avoid plastic! Use plastic alternatives for you and your family
3. EMULSIFIERS: Emulsifiers are food additives that stabilise the consistency of food products and prevent an unappetising separation of oil and water as well as lengthening shelf life by preventing separation during storage. Food additive emulsifiers therefore optimize a food’s appearance, texture, expiration, and mouth-feel, explaining why they’re a ubiquitous component of the diet in western countries. The major food additive emulsifiers include lecithin which is found in many forms of chocolate, mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids found in many ice creams and frozen yoghurts, guar gum found in some dairy and soy-based products, xanthan gum found in mayonnaise and sandwich fillers, carrageenan found in flavored milks, iced coffee, and dairy-based ice cream and frozen desserts, celluloses including carboxymethylcellulose found in vitamin and dietary supplements, and polysorbates found in edible oils, ice cream, cake mixes, icing, and chocolate syrup. Thus far, the main emulsifiers studied for their deleterious effects on the gut include polysorbate-60 [P60], polysorbate-80 [P80], carrageenan, and carboxymethylcellulose [CMC]. NUMEROUS in vitro studies and in vivo animal models implicate a role for food additive emulsifiers in gut inflammation via their impact on gut microbiota, permeability, and inflammation.
What to do? Read labels, read labels, read labels! Most of the foods with emulsfiers in them are not good for your gut anyway! But also watch out here as these are snuck into vitamin and dietary supplements as well– as gutlove often points out- your supplements may not be as healthy as you think!
4. PESTICIDES: Glyphosate such as Roundup is the most commonly used broad-spectrum herbicide and the dominance of this herbicide in the pesticide market is mainly attributed to the use of transgenic crops, such as soy, corn and canola. BUT lets not forget that a rich and diverse microbial community is living in soil, on plant surfaces, and in animal guts. It is possible that even low glyphosate residue may indirectly affect pest and pathogen occurrence in these communities. A healthy soil microbiome is KEY! Also – 54% of the human core gut bacterial species are potentially sensitive to glyphosate. For example, a study in Nature showed even low-dose exposure of glyphosate-based herbicides disrupt the urine metabolome and its interaction with gut microbiota.
What to do? Buy organic! The more you show “big food” that you stand up against pesticides and chemicals- the more they will listen. dont forget the power or supply and demand– WE control the market, but it has to be consistent and coming from us ALL!
5. ALCOHOL: Alcohol exposure can promote the growth of gram negative bacteria in the gut which may result in accumulation of endotoxin. In addition, alcohol metabolism by gram negative bacteria and gut epithelial cells can result in accumulation of acetaldehyde, which in turn can increase gut permeability to endotoxin by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation of tight junction and adherens junction proteins. Alcohol-induced generation of nitric oxide may also contribute to gut permeability to endotoxin by reacting with tubulin, which may cause damage to microtubule cytoskeleton and subsequent disruption of gut barrier function. Increased gut permeability can lead to increased transfer of endotoxin from the gut to the liver and general circulation where endotoxin may trigger inflammatory changes in the liver and other organs.
What to do? Alcohol can not be a part of gut healing and in fact may completely disrupt the healing journey. Often people feel like they’ve reconnected with their bodies and feel strong and empowered once they stop alcohol use. Brain fog can melt away. So ditch that ETOH if you’re healing your gut.
6. HEAVY METAL TOXICITY: Here are symptoms to look out for the top 3 heavy metal toxins– and look how much is related to your gut health!!!:
1. LEAD:
- Acute effects:
- Constipated
- Tired
- Headache
- Irritable
- Loss of appetite
- Memory loss
- Pain or tingling in the hands and/or feet
- Weak
- Long-term effects
- Abdominal pain
- Constipated
- Depressed
- Distracted
- Forgetful
- Irritable
- Nauseous/Sick
2. ARSENIC:
- Acute effects: The immediate symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning include vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. These are followed by numbness and tingling of the extremities, muscle cramping and death, in extreme cases.
- Long-term effects: The first symptoms of long-term exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic (for example, through drinking-water and food) are usually observed in the skin, and include pigmentation changes, skin lesions and hard patches on the palms and soles of the feet (hyperkeratosis). These occur after a minimum exposure of approximately five years and maybe a precursor to skin cancer. Exposure to arsenic may also cause cancers of the bladder and lungs. Other adverse health effects that may be associated with long-term ingestion of inorganic arsenic include developmental effects, diabetes, pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease.
3. MERCURY:
There are 3 different types of mercury that are harmful to the human body including:
- Elemental mercury (liquid mercury, quicksilver): in glass thermometers, electrical switches, fluorescent lightbulbs and dental fillings. Symptoms:
- Coughing.
- Trouble breathing.
- Metallic taste in your mouth.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Bleeding or swollen gums.
- Inorganic mercury: in batteries, certain types of disinfectants and in chemistry labs. Symptoms:
- Burning sensation in your stomach and/or throat.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Blood in vomit or stool.
- Urine color changes
- Organic mercury: in coal fumes, fish that ate methylmercury (a form of organic mercury) and older antiseptics (germ killers like red mercurochrome). Symptoms:
- Feeling numb or dull pain in certain parts of your body.
- Tremors (uncontrollable shaking).
- Unsteady walk.
- Double vision or blurry vision; blindness.
- Memory loss.
- Seizures