Since 1980, more and more cases of allergies, asthma, ADHD and autism have been registered among children. Some statistics report a 50% increase in these disorders over the last 20 years. More and more children have dyslexia and various types of school problems. According to some scientists and doctors, the problem lies in an imbalance of the internal ecosystem and the gut ('unsealing of barriers'). This is caused by changes in the external environment, lifestyle, diet, the child's exposure to toxins and chronic stress.
How can 'leaky' gut affect the nervous system?
Food allergic reactions are different: allergy and food hypersensitivity/intolerance are not the same thing.
ADHD and autism can cause delayed hypersensitivity reactions, associated with IgG antibodies. Compared to allergy, an intolerance reaction produces more non-specific symptoms.
Children struggling with autism spectrum problems and ADHD often have digestive problems: insufficient enzyme production and/or damaged intestinal mucosa. Because of this, there are problems with partially digested proteins entering the bloodstream, which causes problems in the body and can cause brain disorders.
The most reliable test for food intolerances is the elimination-provocation diet.
What are the causes of damage to the intestinal barrier in children?
- imbalance of the intestinal bacterial flora,
- chronic stress,
- exposure to environmental toxins,
- modern diet.
In terms of nutrition-related factors, the main causes of 'leaky' gut are related to:
- too many sugars (and simple sugars) in the diet
- consumption of gluten (a cereal protein found mainly in wheat)
- addition of chemical food additives
- "industrial" dairy products
- genetically modified plants (GMOs)
What are the consequences of a "leaky" gut?
Leaky barriers prevent inaccurately digested proteins (i.e. proteins that have not been 'cut' by enzymes into digestible molecules - amino acids) from entering the bloodstream
Damage to the intestinal mucosa causes unauthorised substances to enter the bloodstream, triggering immune reactions and other adverse phenomena.
