Damage To Intestinal Lining may be caused byl Chronic Side-Effects Of Cancer Treatment.

Sometimes, the problem with a powerful method of treatment is that it's too powerful. Radiation therapy, for example, is often used to treat cancerous tumors. Unfortunately, it destroys much more than just cancer cells.

Electromagnetic rays from radiation used to treat cancers of the female organs can also severely damage the bowel. Called "actinic damage," this injury often triggers temporary nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. In up to 60% of women treated, the gut lining becomes chronically inflamed - making diarrhea and other bowel dysfunction persist.

What is it exactly that goes wrong in a gut exposed to this radiation? To answer this question, researchers from the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology at the University of Chile recently performed intestinal permeability (IP) assessment and other analyses on a group of 15 women before and after they underwent radiation therapy for gynecological tumors. These analyses, they hoped, might lead to improved therapeutic interventions for patients who develop chronic actinic damage. One of the most striking findings was radiation's ability to trigger "leaks" in the gut lining. The lactulose/mannitol ratio, which compares the rate that two nondigestable sugars permeate through the intestinal mucosal layer, more than doubled in the women after five weeks of pelvic radiation - a classic indication of "leaky gut."

Biopsy of patients' intestinal tissue supported these findings. Small finger-like projections in the gut lining called villi - which are pivotal for healthy absorption of nutrients - became significantly distorted by the radiation. The degree of these "wasting-like" alterations in intestinal function could play an important role, researchers speculated, in determining whether patients exposed to standard pelvic radiation go on to develop acute actinic enteritis.

The small bowel was the most susceptible to radiation damage. Increased production of free radicals - destructive, unstable molecules - tipped the balance toward increased cell death as opposed to cell regeneration.

Leaky gut is linked to the increased ability of bacteria and toxins to slip past gut barrier defense and gain entry into the systemic circulation, where they may incite chronic inflammation. The condition could also damage distant organs another way - by setting off a chain reaction of over-activated immune cells.

NOTE: Urinary infections were another complication developing in some women after pelvic radiation treatment. These could also be related to leaky gut. "Gut integrity problems that induce translocation of bacteria and yeast could promote such infections," notes John Furlong, N.D., of our Department of
Medical Science.

Two functional gastrointestinal assessments are important for helping to optimize and restore gut function in response to disruptions caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, antibiotic treatment, and other powerful interventions.

The Leaky Gut/Intestinal Permeability Assessment is a noninvasive challenge assessment of gut barrier integrity and absorptive function.

The Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) features important clinical indicators associated with chronic diarrhea complications. The test also provides a thorough evaluation of gut bacterial balance, digestive and absorptive function, yeast status, inflammation, and more.

Source: Pia de la Maza M, Gotteland M, Ramirez C, Araya M, Yudin T, Bunout D, Hirsch S. Acute nutritional and intestinal changes after pelvic radiation. J Am Coll Nutr 2001;20(6):637-642.

Call to set up a nutritional consultation so that tests can be performed and a comprehensive strategy of lifestyle, dietary modification and nutrient supplementation can be implemented to aid you in reversing this disorder.

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Dr. Rispoli, Ph.D., L Ac. has had a clinical practice for over 20 years. Her programs work because she is so thorough in testing and providing a nutritional approach. Remember that the body can heal itself if given the proper nutrients.

The information herein is not intended as diagnosis, treatment or a cure. Should you have a medical condition please seek the advice of your medical doctor.