Travel to Health

Infographic Credit: Microsoft Copilot Zonulin is the body’s key regulator of intestinal permeability, and it sits at the center of a well‑supported model linking gut barrier dysfunction to certain autoimmune diseases . This framework—shaped largely by the work of Alessio Fasano —describes how environmental triggers such as gluten or dysbiosis can raise zonulin levels, loosen tight junctions, and allow dietary or microbial antigens to cross the gut barrier. In genetically susceptible individuals , this early breach can set the stage for immune activation and systemic inflammation . As this model unfolds, it forms a stepwise sequence that helps explain how gut‑driven immune activation can progress into organ‑specific disease. Zonulin‑Mediated Pathway to Autoimmunity  This “timeline” is not universal to all autoimmune conditions, but it is strongly supported in diseases with clear gut involvement , such as celiac disease and type 1 diabetes, and is relevant to some cases of IBD ...

Key Points Epithelial layer Tight junctions Zonulin Permeability mechanisms What Triggers Zonulin Release? The Gut Barrier: Your First Line of Defense The human body contains many protective barriers—including those in the gut, airways, skin, oral cavity, vagina, placenta, and brain (via the blood–brain barrier). This article focuses on the intestinal barrier, one of the most important interfaces between the external environment and the immune system. Under ideal digestive conditions, only small, fully broken‑down nutrients should pass from the gut into the bloodstream. When this barrier becomes compromised, larger particles may slip through—a phenomenon often referred to as increased intestinal permeability or “ leaky gut .” The Brick‑and‑Mortar Model The gastrointestinal tract spans roughly 300–400 sq. m., and only a single epithelial layer separates the body from vast amounts of dietary and microbial antigens. [1,2] These epithelial cells are held together by a “brick‑and‑mortar”...

Stop Wasting Money on Probiotics. Here’s What Actually Improves Gut Health  (YouTube  link ) The gut barrier follows a clear sequence described in Fasano’s model:  A structural epithelial layer, tight junctions that regulate passage between cells, and zonulin, the key modulator that can open these junctions when triggered.  Rather than repeating the full mechanisms here, readers can find a concise explanation of how these components work—and what activates zonulin—in the companion article : “ The Gut’s Gatekeepers: How Tight Junctions and Zonulin Shape Your Health .”   Figure 1.  Prevention of gut-barrier dysfunction in arthritis ameliorates joint inflammation [30]   Increased Intestinal Permeability and Its Association with Autoimmune Diseases Recent studies indicate that increased intestinal permeability (often called ' leaky gut ') is commonly observed in many individuals with autoimmune diseases, though prevalence varies by condition and is n...

Go get the Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce from Environmental Working Group. Here I list the top 14 (i.e., worst) and bottom 14 (i.e., safer) from the list (note that ranking varies each year and the list was accessed more than 10 years ago). For the top 14, buy organic to lower your exposure to pesticides. If you cannot afford organics, you can take a look at which produce is the safest to buy conventionally. To get the updated list, check out here . Rank Fruit or Vegetable 1 (worst) Peaches 2 Apples 3 Sweet Bell Peppers 4 Celery 5 Nectarines 6 Strawberrie...

U.S. FDA Import Refusal Reports from OASIS ( 2024–Present ) FDA enforces import regulations on foods entering the United States, including seafood. When a shipment fails risk‑based screening, sampling, testing, or document review, the agency can refuse entry. A refusal is the final action—products cannot enter U.S. commerce and must be destroyed, re‑exported, or otherwise disposed of. Common reasons for refusal include: Contaminants: heavy metals, pathogens, or chemical residues. Adulteration: unsafe or unfit products, including short‑weighting or undeclared ingredients. Mislabeling: incorrect species, misleading claims, improper net weight, or missing allergen information. Other issues: filth, decomposition, unsafe additives, or poor manufacturing practices. FDA Refusal Statistics Overview   The FDA tracks import refusals by “entry lines” in its  OASIS  system and reports them through the Import Refusals Report and related dashboards. For human foods, annual ref...