What Causes Gut Fermentation Syndrome?

First discovered in the 1940s, gut fermentation syndrome is a rare disorder that is also referred to as auto-brewery syndrome or intestinal candida infection. The condition is caused by the buildup of certain yeast (candida) bacteria in the body. The illness can affect anyone of any age, including children, and cases have been reported in countries throughout the world. Essentially, the condition makes patients feel as though they are permanently hungover. Typical symptoms include a cough, stomach pain, bloating, dizziness, fatigue, and problems with memory and concentration. Patients can also experience cravings for sugar as well as sinusitis. One of the major complications of gut fermentation syndrome is it increases the permeability of the intestines, and this frequently leads to vitamin and mineral deficiencies and can progress to malnutrition. In particular, those with the syndrome often become deficient in vitamin B, zinc, and magnesium. Let's investigate some of the major causes of gut fermentation syndrome now.

Liver Abnormalities

While no one has been able to definitively prove there is a connection between the liver and gut fermentation syndrome, it is theorized liver abnormalities exacerbate the symptoms of gut fermentation syndrome. Some examples of typical liver abnormalities include infections, scarring of the liver, fatty liver, hepatitis, and elevated liver enzymes. As an organ, the liver helps rid the body of waste products and also helps in the digestion of food. Normally, the liver helps with getting rid of alcohol from the body. In individuals with gut fermentation syndrome, any existing problems with liver function mean the liver is not able to clear even small amounts of alcohol (caused in this case by the excess yeast buildup) from the body, leading to a worsening of the illness.

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Abnormal Quantity Of Enzymes In The Liver

In a Japanese study of gut fermentation syndrome, it was found individuals with the condition had an abnormal quantity of enzymes in the liver, and this was believed to be a contributing factor in the development of the disorder. It is believed certain enzymes that assist the liver in metabolizing and removing alcohol, including the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH), are less active than normal in individuals with gut fermentation syndrome. Indeed, the disorder is slightly more prevalent in Japan than in the rest of the world. Scientists think this may be due to a genetic predisposition that causes approximately thirty-six percent of individuals living in East Asian nations to have damaged ADH and ALDH enzymes that do not work properly.

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