Dr David Glass - MBChB, FCOG (SA)

Last week we gave a brief history lesson describing the origins of the fibre hypothesis as basic to human health. This was based on the research of three icons of medicine in Africa Drs Denis Burkitt, (Uganda), Hugh Trowell (Kenya) and ARP Walker (South Africa). All originated from the UK, but spent many years in Africa as clinicians but also perceptive researchers.

ALSO READ: Turning the Tide: The importance of fibre in your diet

Today we will cover a somewhat controversial subject, leaky gut syndrome, which has a connection to the fibre hypothesis. It has long been propounded by alternative and integrative medicine practitioners, and more recently by functional medicine practitioners. However there are some gastroenterologists who now also recognise the condition, although perhaps would not blame this condition as the cause of as many diseases as the former practitioners would.

In our first article in this series on the GIT, we noted that the intestines are lined with a single layer of cells, spread out across finger-like villi and microvilli to increase the surface area through which nutrients can be absorbed. Just under the surface is an extensive capillary network which provides transport of these absorbed nutrients into the portal system which directs all blood from the intestines into the liver. The liver detoxifies harmful substances, and processes all nutrients into basic chemicals available for bodily functions. It is important for many reasons that this single layer of cells remains intact.

Although the lining of the gut is inside the body, it nevertheless is a vast area exposed to the outside world.

What happens when the integrity of this delicate barrier is breached through holes or tears? It is claimed partially digested foods, bacteria and toxins are allowed to pass directly into the blood stream where they can cause inflammation and chronic illness, including auto-immune diseases. Much of the research on this condition has been done in laboratories as basic science, rather than clinical research. It is still very controversial. Read an overview of the condition from Harvard Health, written by Dr Marcelo Campos HERE

I do believe the most important intervention to ensure a healthy gut comes from providing a healthy diet, which in particular includes fibre-rich plant foods. Other interventions include adequate exercise, control of stress through meditation and spiritual activities, avoidance of alcohol and dietary or environmental toxins.

Unfortunately many of the strong proponents of the leaky gut theory are also pedlars of all manner of supplements and fad diets. Many have blamed gluten or wheat or antibiotics or fruit as the cause.

In a later article we will address the gluten/wheat theory and also discuss the importance of fibre in both gut and general health.

One of the bright lights in the world in gut health is Dr Will Bulsiewicz a doubly qualified specialist physician and gastroenterologist who has written a just released book Fiber Fueled which is getting rave reviews in the lifestyle medicine circles. We will use some of the information from his book in future blogs to give a balanced view on gastrointestinal health.

In the mean time HERE is a really exciting interview with Dr B discussing gut health and Covid-19. It is over an hour long but so full of scientifically sound and rational information, all so very pertinent to our present crisis.

Next week we will introduce the subject of fibre and the microbiome. I wish I could share information directly from Dr Bs book, but we will have to rely on interviews with him for pertinent facts given the fact that access to books from the USA is limited, and it is selling like hot cakes.

Continue your good preventive habits. Until next week. Dave Glass

Dr David Glass MBChB, FCOG (SA)

Dr David Glass graduated from UCT in 1975. He spent the next 12 years working at a mission hospital in Lesotho, where much of his work involved health education and interventions to improve health, aside from the normal busy clinical work of an under-resourced mission hospital.

He returned to UCT in 1990 to specialise in obstetrics/gynaecology and then moved to the South Coast where he had the privilege of, amongst other things, ushering 7000 babies into the world. He no longer delivers babies but is still very clinically active in gynaecology.

An old passion, preventive health care, has now replaced the obstetrics side of his work. He is eager to share insights he has gathered over the years on how to prevent and reverse so many of the modern scourges of lifestyle obesity, diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, common cancers, etc.

He is a family man, with a supportive wife, and two grown children, and four beautiful grandchildren. His hobbies include walking, cycling, vegetable gardening, bird-watching, travelling and writing. He is active in community health outreach and deeply involved in church activities. He enjoys teaching and sharing information.

Original post:
Turning the Tide A healthy gut comes from a healthy diet - South Coast Herald