Endotoxin – poisoning from the inside out

There is no more important topic in health than that of Endotoxin

There is probably no more important topic in health than that of Endotoxin, which is involved in most diseases. Endotoxin refers to a part of the gram-negative bacteria called lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which can infect the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract and in some cases, enter the bloodstream.

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT), skin and respiratory tract are all first line protectors to the body against invading or damaging substances (toxins). When rotten food is eaten, for instance, the defense system’s first goal is to expel it. To do this the intestines contract and push the toxin to get rid of it through defecation (diarrhea) or vomiting. Serotonin is the emergency hormone activated that contracts the smooth muscle in the intestines to expel toxins.

The major toxin of the intestines (and the rest of the body) is Endotoxin which builds up in many ways, including.

Eating foods that irritate the intestines Breathing in air with endotoxin Psychosocial stress

e.g., old food, food additives, e.g., house dust, air from purifiers

bottled water, excessive alcohol. or filters.

Excessive physical exertion Constipation Exposure to the medical industry

In the intestines, endotoxin triggers inflammation creating a “leaky gut” and allows endotoxin to leak into the bloodstream and infect other organs, such as the skin, the kidneys, the heart, and the lungs causing diseases. Endotoxin can cross the blood-brain barrier and trigger stroke, migraine, or seizures, and in the long-term cause neurodegeneration as with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s Disease, or neuroinflammation and trigger Multiple Sclerosis.

Endotoxin acts at (1) the cellular level in the intestines or in organs it reaches to impair normal metabolism, (2) systemically via an emergency warning mechanism that involves release of Serotonin, resulting in increase in stress hormones.

Steps in Diagnosis and Treatment:

1. Recognizing the Clinical Situation

Common presenting complaints: headaches, tinnitus, muscle pain & or weakness, tingling, burning, vision changes, seizures, stroke, neuropathy, tremor, parkinsonism, memory loss/dementia…

Early symptoms: fever, flu-like symptoms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, irritability, rash, vertigo, headaches, dental pain, asthma, insomnia, myalgias.

Acute conditions: septic shock, blood clotting resulting in stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, seizures,

Stable phase manifestations: often asymptomatic with suppression of pain and discomfort via the opiate system and due to endotoxin tolerance.

Symptoms: brain fog, hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, heart burn, depression, anxiety.

Conditions: Gastrointestinal (e.g., Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Leaky Gut Syndrome, Fatty Liver Disease, Appendicitis, Cholecystitis, Peptic Ulcer Disease, GERD). Allergies (food or environmental). Skin (e.g., rashes, dermatitis). Pulmonary (e.g., asthma). Metabolic (e.g. High Cholesterol, Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, obesity, systemic inflammation). Periodontal (dental cavities), Psychiatric (e.g. bipolar, schizophrenia), Hormonal (e.g., Thyroid disease, Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Pituitary Disorders). Neurological (chronic white matter hyperintensity of MRI of the brain, Migraines).

End Stage conditions:

Autoimmunity (e.g., Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis). Cancer.

Neurodegeneration (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, ALS). Epilepsy. Heart Disease (e.g., CHF, Valve Disease, Atrial Fibrillation). Lung Disease (e.g., COPD). Liver Disease (e.g., cirrhosis). Kidney Disease (e.g., renal failure, hemodialysis endotoxin, nephritis). Bone Disease (e.g., Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Anemia). Neuromuscular (e.g. neuropathy, myopathy). Accelerated Aging (fat loss, sarcopenia

Source: https://endo-toxin.blogspot.com/

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2. Testing for intestinal endotoxin problems or dysbiosis

The presence of excess endotoxin or Dysbiosis is suggested by the following laboratory markers:

· Substances bacteria produce that can be measured by blood or urine testing:

§ High levels of blood lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or endotoxin

§ High blood levels of B vitamins, notably vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, folate, B12 (bacteria produce vitamins that are absorbed into the blood).

§ Organic Acid Tests – Urine sample for organic acids that bacteria emit in the gut.

· Protective substances the body produces as a defense against the bacteria:

§ Cholesterol neutralize LPS, especially High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) – the “good cholesterol” – HDL is elevated in the blood with dysbiosis.

§ High blood Serotonin – Serotonin is produced in the intestines as an alarm reaction against bacteria invading and inflaming the intestines. Serotonin is a potent hormone that triggers a stress response.

§ High levels of markers of systemic inflammatory such as: C-reactive protein and ESR.

§ Celiac antibodies in the case of gluten hypersensitivity.

§ Elevated Bilirubin can be seen with excess endotoxin as it protects against endotoxin

· Testing for Intestinal Permeability:

· Actomyosin tests for transcellular permeability – the most destructive

· Occludin and Zonulin Antibodies test for paracellular permeability

· These in conjunction with a positive result for LPS suggest endotoxemia

· Stool samples - a comprehensive stool analysis can give the most in-depth analysis of gut bacteria.

· Breath test looking for products of bacteria:

o A hydrogen breath test assesses for Small Bowel Intestinal Overgrowth (SIBO).

· Signs of metabolic dysfunction (or impaired oxidative metabolism) are associated with endotoxin and the following lab markers:

o Lipolysis (high free fatty acids)

o A reductive state: lactate>pyruvate; NADH>NAD; ADP>ATP

o Hypothyroidism

3. Treatment of intestinal endotoxin or dysbiosis:

o Endotoxin Removal - Clean intestines

§ Targeted Endotoxin Treatment

o Restore Intestinal Permeability: some considerations for healing a leaky gut: supplement with Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA), L-glutamine, Vitamin D, Bone Broth, Marshmallow Extract, Slippery Elm.

o Endotoxin Prevention:

§ Reduce bacteria population:

· Generally, keep microbiome in check by eating easily digestible food to lessen the amount that bacteria can use.

· Ingesting insoluble fiber daily, i.e., raw carrot, bamboo shoots, carrot salad)

· Low starch and gluten free diet (avoid breads, pasta, pastries, fermentable carbohydrates/additives including gums, nanoparticles)

· Simple sugars (favor fruit and dairy)

· Well cooked vegetables (never have raw vegetables)

· Avoid polyunsaturated fats (e.g. vegetable and fish oil – what are PUFAs?)

§ Avoid Constipation (see Constipation Treatment Instructions).

§ Avoiding intestinal stress

· Avoid mechanical stress: twisting, tossing, jerking, vibrating of the intestines.

· Avoid psychological stress (acute or chronic)

· Avoid metabolic stress: do not fast, avoid carbs and protein deficiency.

§ Maintain a healthy metabolism:

· Avoid digestion disruptors: thyroid disrupters, estrogen, polyunsaturated fats

· Maintain adequate energy with diet

§ Manage Estrogen – information about menstrual cycle and estrogen versus progesterone.

Sources: https://endo-toxin.blogspot.com/