Possible Causes of Intestinal Permeability

Intestinal Permeability or Leaky Gut - what is it and what causes it?
The Dr.Com addresses this issue on Facebook by answering, "Q: Is it true that sensitivities and allergies are due to proteins getting into the blood stream due to leaky gut syndrome, and a leaky gut is caused by mycotoxins?"
Partial response: 
"Yes and no ... The two most common initiators of intestinal permeability are gluten and lipopolysaccharides (LPS)...  Whatever the trigger that’s producing the inflammation leading to intestinal permeability, the primary objective is to reduce the trigger. If it’s mycotoxin, then clean the gut and remove mycotoxin-laden food. If it’s gluten, then remove the gluten. In other words, stop throwing gasoline on the fire!"  For the complete response please go to. The Dr. Com

For information about how to start living gluten-free, please check out my book, Gluten-Free Living: A Step by Step Guide. 


The post got me wondering about what mycotoxins are. I set out do do some research. I found some answers on Clinical Medical Reviews. The answer is complicated.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had a clearer definition:

Mycotoxins: Image by EFSA

"Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by different types of fungus, belonging mainly to the Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium genera. Under favourable environmental conditions, when temperature and moisture are conducive, these fungi proliferate and may produce mycotoxins. They commonly enter the food chain through contaminated food and feed crops, mainly cereals.
The presence of mycotoxins in food and feed may affect human and animal health as they may cause many different adverse health effects such as induction of cancer and mutagenicity, as well as estrogenic, gastrointestinal and kidney disorders. Some mycotoxins are also immunosuppressive reducing resistance to infectious disease."

If you are diagnosed with mycotoxins then what foods should you avoid? According to EFSA,
"
"Aflatoxins are mycotoxins produced by two species of Aspergillus, a fungus which is especially found in areas with hot and humid climates. Since aflatoxins are known to be genotoxic and carcinogenic, exposure through food should be kept as low as possible.
Aflatoxins can occur in foods, such as groundnuts, treenuts, maize, rice, figs and other dried foods, spices and crude vegetable oils, and cocoa beans, as a result of fungal contamination before and after harvest."

www.mycotoxins.info is a blog/website dedicated to the subject of mycotoxins and the effect on the body. 

To be continued as I learn more about this subject.
Please remember I am not a doctor, scientist, or medical practitioner. These are my thoughts and ideas. Please ask you medical care provider if you have questions about your health.

References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164220/
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/mycotoxins.htm
http: www.mycotoxins.infoh