Brittany Corey

 To understand the importance of gastrointestinal health.  To identify causes of gut inflammation and leaky gut syndrome.  To evaluate nutritional therapies for gut health including prebiotics and probiotics.

 Gastrointestinal Tract: The organ system responsible for ingestion, digestion, and excretion of food  Microbiota: Healthy microbes living in the gastrointestinal tract  Leaky Gut Syndrome: A damaged gut wall caused by chronic inflammation  Prebiotics: Non-digestive food ingredients that feed gut microbiota  Probiotics: Bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of microbiota in the intestines

 The gut refers to the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) and its organs.  Along the GI tract lies numerous communities of gut microbiota that contribute to healthy bodily functions including digestion, certain vitamin productions, and immune system support.

Here is an illustration that identifies the bacteria present in the upper and lower GI tract:

 Gut inflammation is an immune response to damaging stimuli such as infection or pathogen growth. Chronic GI inflammation can lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome.  Leaky Gut Syndrome occurs when the intestinal lining becomes porous enough to allow waste and other harmful toxins to enter the bloodstream.  A leaky gut causes stress on the liver, nutrient mal- absorption, and compromises the immune system. It is the leading suspect for a number of food allergies and even life threatening autoimmune diseases.

 Diet: refined sugars and flours, processed foods, chemicals and additives  Medication: antibiotics, aspirin  Stress: weakens immune system  Candida (yeast overgrowth): causes pores in intestinal lining  Zinc deficiency: weakens intestinal lining

 Diet: anti-inflammatory foods/sugar, starch, grain limiting  Supplements: vitamin D, zinc, fish oil  Prebiotics: banana, onion, garlic, honey  Probiotics: yogurt, fermented foods (kombucha, sauerkraut, miso)  Digestive Enzymes: bromelain, papain  Light exercise: reduces stress

 Gut health is vital to overall health particularly digestion and the immune system  Gut microbiota are healthy bacteria in the GI tract that promotes immune function  Unhealthy lifestyle factors can contribute to gut inflammation and Leaky Gut Syndrome  Gut inflammation can be treated through diet, supplements, prebiotics and probiotics, digestive enzymes, and light exercise

1.) True or False. Microbiota is unhealthy for gut function. False. Gut microbiota contributes to healthy bodily functions including digestion, certain vitamin productions, and immune system support 2.) What is Leaky Gut Syndrome? It occurs when the intestinal lining becomes porous enough to allow waste and other harmful toxins to enter the bloodstream. 3.) Define Probiotics. Bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of microbiota in the intestines

 J. Nutr. August 1, 2004vol. 134 no S- 2026S  scdlifestyle.com/2010/03/the-scd-diet-and- leaky-gut-syndrome/  PNAS. January 5, 2010 vol. 107 no. 1