Understanding Protein Breakdown and Leaky Gut
One of the most critical aspects of restoring your health, whether you have an autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia, or brain fog, is the breakdown of dietary proteins during food consumption. When consuming a steak, for instance, which is essentially a long chain of amino acids, any gastrointestinal issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation may indicate an inability to break down these amino acids.
The Amino Acid Chain and Leaky Gut
The amino acid chain is similar to a pearl necklace, with all the amino acids linked together. Normal digestion breaks down the amino acid chain into smaller pearl necklaces and eventually into individual pearls. However, in an unhealthy digestive system or one lacking digestive enzymes, the pearl necklace is not broken down entirely, leading to chunks of pearls in the form of amino acid clusters known as peptides.</p>
The Importance of Intact Mucosa
The gut lining is only one cell thick, separated from the bloodstream by a membrane called the mucosa. Intact mucosa ensures that the amino acid chain's individual pearls are adequately broken down, preventing an autoimmune response. However, a leaky gut with disrupted tight junctions may allow larger chains of amino acid pearls or peptides to pass through.
The Risks of Global Autoimmunity
When the body detects stuck-together amino acid chains, it triggers an inflammatory response that could lead to various autoimmune responses, including fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, peptides in your blood could end up in your muscle or brain before being "flagged" by the immune system as irregular or foreign material. This can result in the immune system attacking your muscle or brain because of the presence of the peptide that hasn't been broken down correctly by your gut.
Combatting the Issue
To combat this issue, it's essential to ensure proper protein breakdown to avoid any reaction when the amino acids enter the bloodstream in the form of individual pearls. Too many people suffer from this issue, and assistance is available. If you need help, please don't hesitate to contact me.