What Causes Gut Problems – Chemicals And Toxins
One major issue that causes gut problems is exposure to chemicals and toxins in our environment, especially for people located in the United States. During my trip to Europe, I was hard-pressed to find people who had gut problems. However, in the United States, gut problems are so commonplace that almost everyone seems to be suffering from this issue to some degree. Why is this the case?
Chemicals and toxins are the reasons for the widespread gut issues in the USA. Many of the chemicals that are used widely in the United States are banned or at least limited in the European Union. Some of these chemicals are openly known to cause gut issues and microbiome dysfunction. Why are they still allowed in the United States?
What Causes Gut Problems – Chemicals And Toxins
Chemicals and toxins are present in household products, personal care items, our food, and even in our water supply. These harmful substances disrupt the balance of bacteria in our gut and cause inflammation, leading to digestive issues.
What Causes Gut Problems – Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disruptors are found in plastic products, pesticides, and even some foods. Endocrine disruptors have a direct impact on the gut by interfering with the hormones that regulate its functions. For example, certain chemicals alter levels of estrogen or testosterone, which affects digestion and leads to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Moreover, endocrine disruptors also indirectly impact the gut by disrupting the balance of gut bacteria. The gut microbiome is a diverse community of microorganisms that live in our digestive tract and help with digestion, metabolism, and immune function. Endocrine disruptors alter the composition of these microbes, leading to dysbiosis and various GI issues.1
What Causes Gut Problems – Bisphenol A (BPA)
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the production of plastics and resins. It is commonly found in plastic containers, water bottles, food packaging, and even dental fillings. BPA is also found in the lining of canned foods and beverages.
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the effects of BPA on our health. Studies have shown that exposure to BPA disrupts hormone levels and leads to a variety of health issues.
One issue associated with BPA exposure is gut problems. Exposure to BPA has been shown to alter the composition of gut microbiota, leading to an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria. This results in a weakened immune system, increased inflammation, and digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and even IBS.
Furthermore, BPA has been found to damage the intestinal lining and increase intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut syndrome. This means that substances that are normally not allowed to pass through the intestinal walls are now able to enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response that leads to food sensitivities, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.2
What Causes Gut Problems – Phthalates
Phthalates are chemical compounds used in a variety of consumer products, such as plastic toys, household cleaners, and personal care products. They are also commonly found in food packaging and medical devices. While phthalates have been used for decades, recent research indicates they negatively impact human health.
The most common way people are exposed to phthalates is through ingestion. This happens by consuming contaminated food and water or by ingesting particles from plastic packaging. Other routes of exposure include inhalation and skin contact with products containing phthalates.
Phthalates accumulate in the body over time, as they are not easily metabolized and eliminated. This means that even small exposures over a long period of time have cumulative effects on the body.
Phthalate exposure has been shown to disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut, leading to inflammation and digestive issues. Phthalates also alter the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to food allergies and intolerances.
Research has shown a link between phthalate exposure and IBS symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. Some studies suggest that phthalates contribute to the development of IBD, including Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Phthalates have been found to increase intestinal permeability, allowing harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream and triggering inflammation. Phthalate exposure has been shown to disrupt communication between the gut and brain, contributing to conditions like anxiety and depression.3
What Causes Gut Problems – PFAS
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are used in products such as non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging materials, and firefighting foams. Studies have shown that exposure to PFAS disrupts the balance of bacteria in the gut, which leads to a range of digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. These chemicals also cause leaky gut by weakening the intestinal barrier, allowing toxins and harmful substances to enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation throughout the body.4
Read more about how PFAS harm health.
What Causes Gut Problems – Pesticides
There has been a growing concern about the use of pesticides and its link to various gut problems. Research has shown that exposure to pesticides disrupts the gut microbiome.
Moreover, some pesticides are known to be toxic to the cells lining our digestive tract, leading to inflammation and damage. This causes symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Furthermore, studies have also linked pesticide exposure to an increased risk of developing conditions such as IBS, IBD, and leaky gut syndrome.5
What Causes Gut Problems – Glyphosate
The main pesticide causing gut problems is glyphosate. It is widely used in the United States. While a ban on glyphosate throughout the EU was denied in 2022 due to the economic impact, certain European countries are limiting the use of glyphosate with the intention of phasing it out.6
Glyphosate works by inhibiting an enzyme called EPSP synthase, which is essential for the production of certain amino acids in plants. However, studies have shown that this herbicide also disrupts the balance of bacteria in our gut. This disruption is one way that glyphosate contributes to leaky gut syndrome.7
Another way glyphosate contributes to leaky gut syndrome is through its effect on zonulin production. Zonulin is a protein that regulates the tight junctions between cells in the intestinal lining, controlling what passes into the bloodstream.8
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of leaky gut syndrome and studies have linked glyphosate exposure to increased inflammation markers. Glyphosate disrupts the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, leading to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria that triggers inflammation.
Specifically, glyphosate reduces populations of Bacteroides fragilis. These bacteria are known to produce Treg cells, which help maintain balance and prevent excessive inflammation in the body. This leads to an overactive immune system and autoimmune diseases like IBD and IBS.9
All These Chemicals End Up In Our Water And Food Supply
All the chemicals we discussed above find their way into our water and food supply, especially if we don’t filter our water and eat organic. Switching to an organic, whole foods-based diet is the first step to reducing the toxic load that is causing gut problems. However, changing diet isn’t enough and even consuming probiotics or other supplements won’t solve the issue because these toxins have infiltrated our cells and remain there until they are forcefully removed.
The 5Rs – Addressing Gut Problems At The Source
By detoxifying on the cellular level, we directly target the upstream cause of gut problems. The 5Rs is a guide for targeting the source of gut issues and dealing with it head on.
R1 is based on defining the source of toxicity and avoiding it. In this case, switching to an organic diet and avoiding commercial products that contain chemicals will reduce toxic load dramatically.
R2 focuses specifically on repairing and regenerating cellular membranes that have been damaged by toxins and chemicals. The aim is to reverse the negative effects of toxin-induced cellular membrane inflammation. When inflammation affects the cellular membrane, it impairs the transport of essential nutrients into cells while also preventing waste products from leaving. As a result, the metabolic function of cells diminishes, resulting in a wide range of symptoms including gut problems.10
R3 is centered around the restoration of cellular ATP production and other vital pathways that have been depleted by harmful toxins. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the fuel that cells require to function effectively. By focusing on opening up detox pathways and boosting cellular activity, we successfully revive ATP production. This enables the cell to produce glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in eliminating toxins from the body. With optimal cellular function, the body’s ability to expel toxins increases significantly.11 12
R4 addresses inflammation of cellular membranes. While one may assume that the removal of toxins would naturally lead to a decrease in inflammation, this is not the case. The NO/ONOO cycle, a complex feedback loop, maintains cellular membrane inflammation. Fortunately, there are specific compounds that break this cycle and effectively downregulate cellular membrane inflammation.13
R5 restores normal cellular methylation patterns. Methylation is a crucial biochemical process that occurs in every cell of our body. It involves the transfer of a methyl group (CH3) from one molecule to another, resulting in the production of essential compounds such as proteins, DNA, and neurotransmitters.
Various factors disrupt this delicate process, including the chemicals and toxins discussed above. Fortunately, we can restore proper methylation through the use of methyl donors. These are compounds that provide a methyl group to support the methylation process.
Proper methylation plays a crucial role in epigenetic regulation. Epigenetics refers to the study of how external factors such as diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposure influence gene expression. Through methylation, we are able to turn on beneficial genes and turn off harmful ones that cause gut problems.14
What Causes Gut Problems – Chemicals And Toxins
Chemicals and toxins are what causes gut problems. First, we must reduce our exposure to endocrine disruptors, phthalates, PFAS chemicals, and pesticides like glyphosate. Additionally, we must remove these toxins from our cells if we ever wish to restore normal cellular function and get to the core cause of gut problems.
To learn even more about removing toxins from the cells with my 5Rs, join me in my free webinar or read more about what toxins cause autoimmune conditions.
References
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2 Catron TR, Keely SP, Brinkman NE, Zurlinden TJ, Wood CE, Wright JR, Phelps D, Wheaton E, Kvasnicka A, Gaballah S, Lamendella R, Tal T. Host Developmental Toxicity of BPA and BPA Alternatives Is Inversely Related to Microbiota Disruption in Zebrafish. Toxicol Sci. 2019 Feb 1;167(2):468-483. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy261. PMID: 30321396.
3 Chiu K, Warner G, Nowak RA, Flaws JA, Mei W. The Impact of Environmental Chemicals on the Gut Microbiome. Toxicol Sci. 2020 Aug 1;176(2):253-284. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa065. PMID: 32392306; PMCID: PMC7416318.
4 Beale DJ, Nguyen TV, Shah RM, Bissett A, Nahar A, Smith M, Gonzalez-Astudillo V, Braun C, Baddiley B, Vardy S. Host-Gut Microbiome Metabolic Interactions in PFAS-Impacted Freshwater Turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii). Metabolites. 2022 Aug 16;12(8):747. doi: 10.3390/metabo12080747. PMID: 36005619; PMCID: PMC9415956.
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6 Where is Glyphosate Banned? | Wisner Baum. (2023, March 31). Wisner Baum. https://www.wisnerbaum.com/toxic-tort-law/monsanto-roundup-lawsuit/where-is-glyphosate-banned-/
7 Puigbò P, Leino LI, Rainio MJ, Saikkonen K, Saloniemi I, Helander M. Does Glyphosate Affect the Human Microbiota? Life (Basel). 2022 May 9;12(5):707. doi: 10.3390/life12050707. PMID: 35629374; PMCID: PMC9145961.
8 Fasano A. All disease begins in the (leaky) gut: role of zonulin-mediated gut permeability in the pathogenesis of some chronic inflammatory diseases. F1000Res. 2020 Jan 31;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-69. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.20510.1. PMID: 32051759; PMCID: PMC6996528.
9 Cheng H, Guan X, Chen D, Ma W. The Th17/Treg Cell Balance: A Gut Microbiota-Modulated Story. Microorganisms. 2019 Nov 20;7(12):583. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms7120583. PMID: 31756956; PMCID: PMC6956175.
10 Ammendolia, D.A., Bement, W.M. & Brumell, J.H. Plasma membrane integrity: implications for health and disease. BMC Biol 19, 71 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-021-00972-y
11 Vašková J, Kočan L, Vaško L, Perjési P. Glutathione-Related Enzymes and Proteins: A Review. Molecules. 2023 Feb 2;28(3):1447. doi: 10.3390/molecules28031447. PMID: 36771108; PMCID: PMC9919958.
12 Zolkipli-Cunningham Z, Falk MJ. Clinical effects of chemical exposures on mitochondrial function. Toxicology. 2017 Nov 1;391:90-99. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2017.07.009. Epub 2017 Jul 27. PMID: 28757096; PMCID: PMC6078194.
13 Pall M. L. (2013). The NO/ONOO-cycle as the central cause of heart failure. International journal of molecular sciences, 14(11), 22274–22330. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms141122274
14 Dhar GA, Saha S, Mitra P, Nag Chaudhuri R. DNA methylation and regulation of gene expression: Guardian of our health. Nucleus (Calcutta). 2021;64(3):259-270. doi: 10.1007/s13237-021-00367-y. Epub 2021 Aug 16. PMID: 34421129; PMCID: PMC8366481.
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