iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll citlhscgreat marketing potential as its effect on blocking zonulin is likely temporary,
leading the patient to require the drug on an ongoing basis. If larazotide is
an effective zonulin blocker, it will probably become the next blockbuster
drug, generating billions of dollars in profits for the pharmaceutical industry
through chronic disease management of autoimmune conditions.
At the time of writing this book, larazotide was available in limited clini-
cal trials for refractory celiac disease.
Luckily, we don’t have to wait until this drug gets FDA approval as there are al-
ready permanent lifestyle approaches available to heal intestinal permeability.
Perfect Storm for Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM),
is analogous to Hashimoto’s. Both conditions start with circulating autoanti-
bodies. In IDDM, the antibodies are to the beta cells in the pancreas, while
in Hashimoto’s the antibodies are to thyroid peroxidase (TPO).
Over time, these antibodies start destroying their target, leading to a loss
of production of the necessary hormone—insulin in the case of IDDM
and thyroid hormone in the case of Hashimoto’s.
Lymphocytic infiltration of the target organ occurs in both autoimmune
conditions, whereby white blood cells accumulate in the beta cells and
thyroid tissue in IDDM and Hashimoto’s respectively.
In the case of IDDM, increased intestinal permeability has been identi-
fied as being present before the onset of beta cell destruction.
A trio of factors has been suggested to form the perfect storm in type 1 dia-
betes pathogenesis: 1) abnormal microbial flora, 2) leaky intestinal mucosal
barrier, and 3) an altered immune system in the intestinal cells.
The role of microbiota has been established in the type 1 diabetes (but
not type 2 diabetes) disease model as well. Certain kinds of bacteria have
been associated with autoimmune disease incidence, while other bacteria
types protect against it.
Interestingly, when fecal matter from mice whose flora protected them from
diabetes was transplanted into mice who previously lacked the protective
bacteria in their guts, they, too, became less likely to develop diabetes.
Recently, dairy and gluten consumption has been implicated in the de-
velopment of type 1 diabetes. Studies were conducted in which hydro-
lyzed casein (a type of rapidly absorbing partially digested milk protein