Is Your Gut Leaky?

Are you taking care of your skin? Not the skin on the outside, but the skin on the inside! Your intestinal mucosal barrier is your first-line defense against pathogens and a mechanism for the proper processing of food antigens (substances that prompt the generation of antibodies and cause an immune response). In other words, it’s your internal gatekeeper keeping the bad guys out while letting the good guys in. Not only does it line your intestinal tract, but also the sinuses, genital and urinary tracts, and other areas.

The mucosal barrier comes armed with the appropriate weaponry to identify and neutralize foreign objects and enemies like bacteria, yeast, and viruses. The weapons of choice are immune secretions called antibodies, otherwise known as sIgA, IgA, IgG, and IgM. When the mucosal defense system is at full strength, it carries sufficient ammunition to identify and deal with foreign invaders. There are no “friendly-fire” accidents when the gut is functioning properly. The barrier only attacks enemies. Dietary proteins, yeasts, and bacteria that occur normally in the body do not prompt a hostile response.

A compromised mucosal barrier is equivalent to a sleeping guard at the watchtower. Invaders such as food particles, viruses, and bacteria sneak their way into places where they were never intended to be. When this occurs, the body responds appropriately by sounding the alarm, jolting the immune system into action. Antibodies report for battle to protect the homeland. The ensuing hostile turf war wreaks havoc throughout the body, especially on the Stress Response Unit, the adrenal glands. And to make matters worse, the elevated stressload increases cortisol levels, which slowly crumbles the mucosal barrier making it even more permeable thus easier for enemy invaders to penetrate. Access granted! And if that weren’t enough, everything passing through the mucosal barrier must be filtered through a typically already-overburdened liver. A traffic jam ensues and symptoms of toxicity such as fatigue, insomnia, lethargy, acne, and elevated cholesterol rear their ugly faces.

The Mucosal Barrier Function screen takes you inside the battle within. With a single saliva sample, it checks the status of the soldiers protecting you from potential invaders. The antigens tested for are normally found in the human body or diet and therefore should not prompt an immune response. These include:

• A group of intestinal anaerobic bacteria (E. coli and E. enterococcus)
• A group of intestinal anaerobic bacteria (Bacteria fragilus and Clostridium perfringes)
• Common dietary proteins (corn, cow’s milk, egg, gliadin, and soy)
• Intestinal yeast (Candida albicans)
• Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA)

Did you know that eighty percent of your immune system is located within your gut? Secretory IgA is our measuring stick for determining whether the mucosal immune system is responding appropriately.

• High sIgA indicates an infection is present and further testing is recommended to identify and eliminate it.
• Low sIgA indicates compromised immunity. It is likely that an infection (bacterial, viral, parasitic) has been present for some time. The soldiers are worn down. More specifically, the villi responsible for nutrient absorption and gut integrity have atrophied. The gate is left wide open. The immune system is weakened and will eventually tap out. Leaky gut syndrome and food sensitivities are very common when this condition is present.

The Mucosal Barrier Function test also assesses several important compartments. High and low scores in these compartments indicate abnormal immune/gut function.

• Bacterial Group Ratios: Determining the levels and ratios of bacterial groups helps assess digestive and absorptive function. The ratio of anaerobic to aerobic bacteria should be 1:1. When this ratio is imbalanced, dysbiosis (overgrowth of bacteria) is present. Bacteria love inflammation! Viruses produce this inflammation. When one is present, the other is not far behind. Bacterial overgrowth may indicate an infection.
• High Protein Markers: The gut is designed to allow nutrients to pass through the mucosal barrier. A permeable gut may allow food particles to pass through, creating an immune response to commonly consumed foods. Your everyday food choices may be initiating an immune response! The LEAP Mediator Release Test (MRT) is highly recommended for those with high dietary protein markers.
• High Yeast Markers: Everyone has yeast in their gut! However, a compromised immune system creates an internal environment conducive for Candida overgrowth. Ridding yourself of excess yeast calls for eliminating sugary and fermented foods, and rebuilding the immune system.
• All Markers Low: If all of the above markers are low, then the mucosal barrier is totally shut down. All soldiers are down! There is no mucosal immune response to antigens. Intestinal permeability is severe and leaky gut is present.

Strengthening YOUR Mucosal Barrier and Immune System will help relieve:

• Frequent bladder, UTI, and sinus infections
• Asthma and arthritis
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Ulcers
• Crohn’s and Celiac diseases
• Yeast Overgrowth
• Food Sensitivities
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Chronic fatigue
• Joint pain
• Diarrhea
• Much more

Don’t Guess! Test!

Test Kit 304B: Mucosal Barrier Function Assessment

This easy-to-use lab kit requires a single morning saliva collection. Each kit comes with a pre-paid FedEx mailer for your convenience. Once you mail off your kit, Sean will receive your test results within 10-14 business days. Once received, you will schedule your one-hour Results & Recommendations phone session. You will receive:

• ONE one-hour phone coaching session to review your results
• ONE half-hour follow-up phone coaching session
• FOUR weeks of unlimited email coaching
• Customized results-based restorative protocol consisting of nutritional supplements and lifestyle modifications

$195 plus $250 lab fee

* Lab fee not included in PayPal payment. Fee of $250 is paid directly to Signet Labs upon submitting your kit.

* *Shipping cost included in rate.

*** Insurance CPT code available upon request