Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) in Children with Autism

The Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) or ‘abnormal intestinal permeability,’ is one the most poorly understood concepts in western medicine, but it clearly defines what is happening to the child with autism and how this affects the functioning of the brain (gut/brain connection).  The healthy gastrointestinal (G.I.) tract absorbs only the small molecules of completely broken down food particles that are the result of fully digested food.  Ideally, the intestinal wall should have the ability to keep out large and undesirable molecules.  When that ability is reduced, then permeability increases and large spaces develop between the cells of the gut wall allowing for yeast overgrowth, pathogens, toxins, bacteria, viruses and foods to leak across the intestinal lining.  Now the gut lining is permeable, and therefore, becomes further inflamed and damaged disrupting the normal functioning of the G.I. tract.  The body sees this foreign matter as «an attack» and develops a production of antibodies in defense.  These newly formed antibodies may also attack the body’s own cells developing auto antibodies and causing increased inflammatory reactions that trigger a condition called «autoimmunity».  The neurotransmitters in the brain are also found in the G.I. tract, so now they are unable to make the normal connections with the brain; hence the gut/brain disconnection.  So, this may be one of the beginning stages of how autism spectrum disorder issues develop.

Signs of Leaky Gut Syndrome:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms of chronic diarrhea, constipation (or both), abdominal discomfort, flatulence, bloating, undigested food particles in stool and irritable bowel syndrome (enterocolitis).
• Nutritional deficiencies.
• Intestinal pathogens – yeast, fungus, systemic Candida, parasites, bacteria, viruses, biofilm, microorganisms, etc.
• Food and environmental allergies, food intolerances, asthma, bedwetting, ear infections.
• Behavioral issues, hyperactivity, noncompliant behavior.