Posted on 09/12/2023 3:11:19 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
New research has found a link between the important micronutrient zinc and a sensor protein in the gut in the prevention and management of a range of bowel conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Professor Christer Hogstrand investigated the role of zinc and a sensor named the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) that helps the body react to nutrients, drugs and toxic substances in the bowel.
Mice fed a diet containing zinc and a chemical from cruciferous vegetables—such as broccoli—that stimulates the AHR were almost completely alleviated of IBD. In contrast, mice fed a zinc-deficient diet received no benefit from AHR activation.
The discovery offers new options to manage IBD through dietary supplementation with zinc and plant-derived bioactive compounds that stimulate AHR, which are particularly abundant in cruciferous vegetables.
One of the functions of the gut is to serve as a barrier for bacteria, fungi, and viruses and other potentially harmful agents. The inside layer of the bowel contains a thin coating of cells, which are sealed by "tight junctions." Sometimes, these tight junctions can become looser, and the bowel becomes more porous, triggering "leaky gut" or IBD.
To prevent this happening, specific substances in our diet bind to AHR, which then communicates with the cell "tight junctions" and the immune system to keep the bowel healthy and to protect it against inflammation and IBD. The new research shows that AHR does this by letting the essential mineral zinc into the cells, which then improves the seal of the "tight junctions."
There are two types of IBD: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. They occur when the lining of the digestive tract is irritated and swells, causing issues such as stomach pain, diarrhea and bleeding. Leaky gut happens when the digestive tract gets damaged and the gut no longer provides protection.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Interestingly, 35 mg/kg of zinc with double distilled water did just a little worse, and that combination had no indole-3-carbinol in it.
The diagram is at the link. Zinc alone might do the trick, over time, but 35 mg/kg a day is a massive amount and should not be taken at that level in humans.
All the mice showed progress at the eighth day and were using human stem cells.
“Indole-3-carbinol” also helps with blocking conversion of free testosterone into estrogen.
Eat your broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables if you’re a male.
https://provita-nutrition.ca/blogs/blog/i3c-good-for-testosterone
Among other things ... horseradish, collards, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, bok choy, turnips & turnip greens, wasabi ...
Some of my favorites!
“Cruciferous vegetables” =
broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula,
Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes...
Yeah, cause it would be deadly - over 3 grams daily for a 200 lb person.
Do note that the very impressive reduction in IBD occurred in just 10 days. This could mean a dose far less than 5 mg/kg, used over a much longer period of time, with indole-3-carbonol, could provide a similar activity. For instance, after a year of zinc at the Upper Tolerable Limit of 40 mg a day might work.
Good info. Thanks, ConservativeMind.
Leaky gut? Is this a holistic snake oil site?
You don’t want foods and bacteria to get into your bloodstream.
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