It was 20 years ago that I was sharing the stage with an organic farmer at a Weston Price event at Trader’s Point Creamery where we were discussing the state of agriculture in the United States and its impact on human health. My colleague had the opportunity to lecture first and he described the state of the soil in American agriculture. Nitrogen fertilizers (anhydrous ammonia) have been used for many years and have been shown to destroy the healthy bacteria responsible for nutrient uptake of the plants. This, in turn, has led to nutrient deficiencies in humans. More recently, the application of herbicides, such as Roundup, contribute to further loss of nutrients (in humans) through the binding of key minerals such as copper, magnesium, zinc and trace elements. While my colleague was lecturing I had an epiphany in that I realized that the sterilization of soil with nitrogen fertilizers was the equivalent of antibiotic therapy used too often in the medical setting. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for a variety of illnesses and can cause destruction of the beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and can lead to a condition called Leaky Gut Syndrome. The disruption of the gastrointestinal bacterial colonies from antibiotic therapy and modern agricultural practices has led to an increase in Leaky Gut Syndrome which is responsible for the increase in seasonal allergies, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease and contributes to a host of autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis and can contribute to a loss of cognitive function (memory loss).
When there is increased permeability of the gastrointestinal lining (leaky gut), this allows undigested proteins, bacterial components and other substances to cross into the bloodstream, which causes an allergic reaction and immune response. This can have detrimental effects on the central nervous system (brain) and be a contributing factor to memory loss and Neural (brain) inflammation. The lining of the intestines regulates what is allowed into the body while the central nervous system has a similar mechanism of regulating what is allowed to come into contact with the brain called the blood brain barrier. When there is increased permeability of the GI tract this can directly impact what flows across the blood brain barrier. These foreign proteins, bacteria and toxic compounds can cause an inflammatory reaction and contribute to a host of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions in the brain such as Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis and memory loss.
It is critical to avoid toxic compounds commonly used in modern agriculture and in our homes. The best way to do this is to grow as much food as possible in an organic setting or to purchase locally from an organic grower. Avoid the use of Round Up and other herbicides in your home environment and look for other natural ways to assist with weed control. We are hosting our second annual organic gardening workshop at The Logan Institute on April 15th, 2023 at 1 PM where I will be instructing individuals how to grow healthy food in small spaces to maximize our health and nutrition (if not registered, please RSVP with Georgia for this free workshop at patientcoord@loganmd.com).
At the Logan Institute, we have a program designed to help with Gut Restoration and reduce the effects of leaky gut/leaky brain. Dr. Litty or myself can order the appropriate test to determine if there are markers indicating that leaky gut is present. The team will then provide guidance with appropriate therapies and Nutrition Coaching with Georgia Duke to assist with repair of the intestinal lining. This will support overall immune function, nutrient uptake and reduction of allergies/autoimmune diseases. If you have a history of antibiotic usage, yeast overgrowth or allergies/autoimmunity or concerns about brain health then call the office to schedule an appointment to help you get your gut back onto the path of recovery.
-Dr. Logan
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