Bile acids and leaky gut.

Gabor Erdosi shared a link to the group: Lower Insulin.

October 1, 2017 · 

Bile acids and leaky gut. Short version: Let it flow, let it flow, let it flow!

A bit deeper dive requires the addition of a few studies – of course. Let’s start with a quote from an editorial:
“these experiments provided strong evidence for a second physiological function of conjugated bile acids in the proximal small intestine: to prevent bacterial overgrowth by their antimicrobial activity.”
=> How bile acids confer gut mucosal protection against bacteria
http://www.pnas.org/content/103/12/4333.full

What happens in the distal small intestine that is prone to get some leakage up from the cecum (upper large intestine)? As it seems, bile acids take up another, third important role and act as an immune activator. Isn’t it fascinating?

=> Regulation of antibacterial defense in the small intestine by the nuclear bile acid receptor
http://www.pnas.org/content/103/10/3920.full

On a low fat diet you probably need loads of phytochemicals (plant antimicrobials) to limit bacterial growth and higher production of lipopolisaccharides (LPS). On the contrary, a high fat diet provides medium and long chain fatty acids, and a much higher flow of bile acids that can do the job, especially in the reduced LPS load context that characterizes very low carb intake. For sure, bacterial composition is markedly different between the two diets, but is one better than the other? I don’t really know and don’t actually think that definitive evidence is available.

One thing is certain: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and increased permeability are linked to basically all chronic diseases, and especially to autoimmune conditions. See
=> Leaky Gut As a Danger Signal for Autoimmune Diseases
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/…/fimmu.2017.00598/full

Leaky Gut As a Danger Signal for Autoimmune Diseases

The intestinal epithelial lining, together with factors secreted from it, forms a barrier that separates the host from the environment. In pathologic conditions, the permeability of the epithelial lining may be…

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