The natural mineral zeolite clinoptilolite was successfully used to treat radioactively contaminated people, animals, soil and water during the reactor disaster in Chernobyl in 1986.

Based on the experience of past events (atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki), the experts were able to contain the radioactivity after the reactor accident in Chernobyl.

The treatment of radioactive influences immediately after exposure to radioactive substances such as caesium and strontium was most effective. Application within the first 10 days could also prevent the radiotoxin effect and thus save human lives. The therapy is most effective directly after the first contact with radioactive exposure, whereby it is recommended to start taking the specially prepared zeolite clinoptilolite as a preventive measure.

Source:
Cf. Hecht, K. (2016): Zeolite - vitality through the primary rock. Prevention detox hygiene ecology. Baunach: Spurbuchverlag. S. 233-241.

What forms the intestinal barrier?

Tight junctions (lat. zonula occludens) are narrow bands of membrane proteins that form the connection between the epithelial cells of the intestinal mucosa. The tight junctions close the intercellular space and thus form a paracellular diffusion barrier. This intestinal barrier controls the flow of e.g. dissolved amino acids, sugars and fatty acids as well as immunoglobulins, but also immunogenic food proteins, bacterial lipopolysaccharides or Candida antigens. The disruption of this important intestinal barrier function is also known as leaky gut. This term is translated from English and means "leaky gut". Zonulin is a laboratory marker that indicates a disruption of the intestinal barrier.

Zonulin increases intestinal permeability

Zonulin is a 47 KD protein that is responsible for the regulation of tight junctions in the intestinal wall. It is released by the intestinal mucosa in response to various stimuli and binds to specific receptors on the intestinal epithelial cells. This causes the contraction of cytoskeletal proteins, which leads to the opening of the interepithelial channels. By analyzing the zonulin level in serum, intestinal permeability can be investigated without the need for provocation (e.g. lactose/mannitol quotient). In patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, diabetes mellitus but also other autoimmune diseases and disturbed intestinal flora, e.g. after antibiotic therapy, it has been shown that increased zonulin levels in the serum correlate with a disturbed intestinal barrier and increased intestinal permeability.

Consequences of increased intestinal permeability

An increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa causes an increased confrontation of the intestinal immune system with food components, but also foreign antigens such as food additives or toxic metals from dentures. Furthermore, bacteria, molds and yeasts (Candida species) as well as their metabolic products can be significantly more effective as triggers of immune activation if the selection function of the intestinal mucosa is defective.

Consequential phenomena associated with leaky gut therefore include :

1. Reinforcement of food intolerances
Food intolerances are often a secondary consequence of chronic inflammatory processes in the intestine. The intestinal epithelium is the site of synthesis of enzymes such as diaminooxidase and lactase, which is why inflammatory morphological changes in the intestinal mucosa also lead to reduced synthesis of these enzymes. The determination of zonulin is not only used to diagnose leaky gut, but also allows the course of therapy to be monitored in cases of secondary DAO deficiency (histamine intolerance) or secondary lactase deficiency (lactose intolerance). In patients with coeliac disease, zonulin levels also fall in parallel with the inflammation parameters on a strict gluten-free diet.

2. Absorption disorders
f intestinal integrity is impaired, food components cannot be adequately digested or absorbed. This often results in deficiency symptoms. Essential trace elements such as zinc, selenium, copper, magnesium, manganese, cobalt or chromium play an important role as co-factors of numerous enzymes. Even a latent deficiency can be associated with reduced cognitive performance or increased susceptibility to infections, among other things. In addition, some minerals directly influence the integrity of the intestinal mucosa by interacting directly with the tight junctions, such as zinc. A sufficient supply of minerals is therefore of great importance for patients with elevated zonulin levels. To avoid an overdose, this should be based on the mineral status (EDTA whole blood mineral analysis).

3.Increased absorption of toxic metals
Toxic metals such as mercury, silver, tin, lead, palladium and aluminum are released into the intestine both from metal dentures and from food. Normally, most of them are excreted again. In the case of leaky gut, however, there is increased absorption into the organism and thus toxic exposure.

Text by Dr. Volker von Baehr

You can easily determine your or your patients' zonulin levels.

A laboratory that carries out this zonulin determination is, for example IMD Labor, Nicolaistraße 22, 12247 Berlin (Steglitz), Tel +49 30 77001-220, info@imd-berlin.de, www.imd-berlin.de
This requires 2 ml of whole blood for serum collection.
Costs for self-payers: € 43.72
Private health insurance companies will cover the costs if indicated. Billing via statutory health insurance companies is currently not possible.