Why Are the Intestines the “Cradle” of Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases?
I have written about the trigger principle in sarcoidosis. A foreign body of unknown origin (proprionibacteria, pesticides or viruses), together with genetic predisposition, can initiate an inflammatory process that the immune system mistakenly suppresses by attacking the body’s own cells.
The risk groups include people in middle age, predominantly women and people of Black race, as well as Northern European populations.
In middle age, hormonal activity decreases, metabolism slows slightly, and people take on greater responsibilities in life (the roles of parents and guardians, and caring for younger and older family members).
According to our surveys, sociological and biological stress showed that most people with sarcoidosis had experienced high levels of stress.
Interestingly, Northern European populations—who, because of fewer sunny days and a demanding biological rhythm, lead the statistics for anxiety, depression and suicide—also have more people with sarcoidosis. It is therefore important to understand that sunlight is not a trigger of the disease, but an “accelerator” of a disease that is already present.
As the saying goes, the intestines do not lie. We can recall experiences of doubt, stress, oppression and various negative emotions that caused our stomachs to tighten.
Strong emotions such as stress, anxiety and depression trigger chemicals in the brain that include pain signals in the intestines and can provoke a reaction in the large intestine. This is the effect of high cortisol levels on the intestines.
Stress and anxiety can then make the mind more aware of spasms in the large intestine.
Some people with sarcoidosis have intestinal polyps but no digestive difficulties. Others have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis or even Crohn’s disease. Some are not even aware of the diagnosis because they have learned throughout life that they need to warm their “belly” when spasms begin, since the intestines can sometimes be sensitive to cold, coffee, fatty foods or acidic food.
We have learned that cortisol damages the structure of double epithelial linings.
Cortisol is an enemy of the skin. Epithelial linings are not only the elastic and strong structure of the skin; they are also part of the structure of bone and the linings of our organs.
This vascularised epithelial lining in the intestinal mucosa protects the bloodstream from digested food, which is full of bacteria.
1. With prolonged exposure to stress, cortisol levels can act abrasively on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, disrupting regulation of the cytokines IL-1 and IL-6, sleep, biological rhythm and life balance.
2. High cortisol levels can be dangerous for the cardiovascular system and, in the context of this topic, can damage the smooth, vascularised lining of the colon.
If this epithelial lining is damaged, bacteria from faeces can pass through the plasma of the intestinal mucosa and cause various inflammations (the beginning of an inflammatory mechanism) and, to a greater extent, even sepsis.
Various autoimmune diseases can arise in the colon when foreign material from faeces breaks through damaged intestinal mucosa into the bloodstream. In defending against inflammation, immune cells (dendritic cells, macrophages and lymphocytes) can then enter an autoimmune cycle and, because of genetic predisposition, begin attacking the body’s own tissue.
Because lymphocytes from the bone marrow and thymus circulate throughout the body, the disease can spread from the colon to organs containing a cellular structure that corresponds to the mistakenly recognised antigen key.
The skin is often a mirror of the intestines and of the immune system in general. Changes appear there first.
The recommended approach to dealing with such diseases is to listen carefully to your body, take medicines correctly, change your environment and routine if they are stressful, avoid alcohol, cigarettes and heavy food, stay active, spend time in nature and do whatever helps you relax.
A relative of mine who lived to the age of 102, playing tennis until he was 98 and skiing until he was 94, always told me that the secret of longevity lies in:
1. A healthy daily rhythm (wake with the sun, eat at the same time, sleep at sunset, stay active and accept everything with a smile).
2. Listen to your body and respond to every warning light, just as you change the oil in a car as soon as its warning light comes on. Do not leave your body for later when the warning light is already on.
3. We all carry a bag on our backs. Fill it with reserves that you will use in old age.
Therefore: virtue lies in moderation.
Dino-Josip Ključarić
24 May 2024
