How the gut heals

by Karen DeFelice

When it comes to overcoming food intolerances and leaky gut syndrome, a fairly common phrase is ‘heal the gut.’ No matter how the intestinal wall became damaged, the goal is to heal the gut tissue and restore gastrointestinal function. But how does the gut actually heal? As the mother of two boys diagnosed with autism, I became interested in the answer to this question because of the high incidence of gastrointestinal problems among children with autism spectrum disorders.

My first step was to find out how gut tissue grows and develops. The gut is lined with rows and rows of villi; fingerlike projections responsible for nutrient absorption and the production of certain digestive enzymes. Gut cells grow from the base of the villi and move in single file until they reach the tip. After making the journey to the end of the villi, the cells slough off into the intestinal tract and pass out of the body. Typically, this entire process takes about five days to complete. In a continual course of action, damaged cells are constantly leaving and healthy cells are constantly growing, thus renewing the gastrointestinal environment.

What is most interesting about this five-day cell growth cycle is the fact that 5 days is also the length of time that positive changes can begin to occur when people follow a rotation diet. Although avoiding a food for 10-15 days gives an even better indication of its impact, positive changes most often begin at the 5 to 7-day mark. Also of interest is the fact that it takes about three to four weeks for a complete turnover of all gut cells throughout the digestive tract. Three weeks to a month is the generally accepted timeframe for intestinal cleansing and detoxification as well as the die-off reactions that can come from a program designed to eliminate Candida, parasites and other intestinal pathogens. It also takes about a month for most people to adjust to changes in a new supplement program or diet. These comparable time ranges make sense and offer consistency to the digestive and nutrition management picture.

According to several celiac and gastrointestinal experts, the ‘average’ injured gut will heal in three to six months. It can take 12 to 18 months for more severe gut injury. Thus, when taking measures to heal the gut, you should be seeing some improvement by the fifth or sixth month. If you do not see any improvement by the ninth month, it is definitely time to re-evaluate what you are doing. So, what can you do to ‘heal the gut’ and promote the growth of healthy cells? In addition to careful monitoring of the diet, digestive enzymes have been clinically proven to promote tissue healing. This is especially true of a class of enzymes known as proteases. Enzymes are bioactive proteins that literally have a “job” to do in your body. When it comes to digestive enzymes, that job is the promotion of gut healing.

Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in the gut. These friendly flora are also key players in the healing process. Probiotics promote the production of enzymes, enhance the absorption of necessary nutrients and boost immune function. Eating cultured foods that contain these health-promoting organisms as well as taking probiotics in supplement form is an excellent choice for anyone with leaky gut syndrome.

As the intestinal tissue heals, the cells responsible for nutrient absorption grow back and begin to function properly. When this happens, nutrients from food can be appropriately absorbed and the nerves lining the gut can be restored. Over time, the “leaks” are patched and the symptoms subside and disappear.

When leaky gut is healed, a myriad of health benefits arise. Research shows that up to 90 percent of serotonin function is in the gut. Injured gut tissue impairs the function of this very important neurotransmitter, leading to depression and other neurological problems. Healing the gut can assist in bringing serotonin back into balance which can have a powerful impact on mood, healthy sleep and brain function. (Since serotonin is used to produce melatonin, the hormone needed for restful sleep, enhancing serotonin function can improve sleep patterns.)

The gut is a very dynamic place. Change is constant and turnover is rapid among gut cells with an average life span of just 5 days. Because of this, both gut healing and gut injury can occur very quickly. Understanding this process allows you to better monitor and manage your program and bring lasting healing to this vital organ.

Karen DeFelice is a mother, a scientist and the author of two books, “Enzymes for Autism,” and “Enzymes: Go With Your Gut.” You can find both of those books in the Freshlife book department. For more information, visit Karen on the web at www.enzymestuff.com.