Lipopolysaccharides (LPS): How to Reduce Exposure and Reverse Damage

At Halo Integrative Wellness & Aesthetics, IA-h, we are passionate about helping clients understand and address factors that contribute to chronic inflammation and aging. One often-overlooked culprit of inflammation is lipopolysaccharides (LPS). These bacterial toxins, produced in the gut, can enter the bloodstream and cause systemic inflammation if the gut barrier becomes compromised. Understanding what exposes us to LPS, how to track damage from oxidative stress, and how to make lifestyle changes to repair damage can have a transformative impact on our health.

What Are Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Why Are They Harmful?

Lipopolysaccharides are endotoxins found in the outer membrane of certain bacteria within the gut. Under normal conditions, they should remain within the gut, but when the gut barrier is weakened or “leaky,” LPS can cross into the bloodstream. This activates an immune response, leading to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and eventually, an increased risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.

What Exposes Us to LPS?

Certain dietary and lifestyle factors increase the likelihood of LPS production in the gut and its movement into the bloodstream. Key contributors include:

1. Calorie-Rich Processed Foods
   • Diets high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats promote the growth of LPS-producing bacteria in the gut. Additionally, they can weaken the gut lining, making it easier for LPS to cross over into the bloodstream.
   • Processed foods also typically lack fiber, which is essential for maintaining a healthy gut barrier and a balanced microbiome.
2. The Ketogenic Diet
   • While the ketogenic diet can be beneficial for weight loss and metabolic health, it can potentially increase LPS levels if not carefully balanced. Diets high in saturated fats, often a component of ketogenic eating, have been shown to increase LPS absorption in the gut.
   • At Halo Integrative Wellness, we emphasize that if you follow a ketogenic diet, it’s important to focus on healthy fat sources (like avocados and olive oil) and include non-starchy vegetables to support gut health.
3. High-Fat, Low-Fiber Meals
   • High-fat meals, particularly those high in animal fats, can increase LPS absorption. When consumed with low-fiber foods, these meals do not adequately support gut microbiome balance, leading to a higher risk of dysbiosis (imbalance in gut bacteria).
   • Fiber plays a key role in promoting gut integrity, so diets low in fiber are more likely to contribute to LPS leakage and inflammation.
4. Chronic Stress and Lack of Sleep
   • Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which can weaken the gut lining and allow more LPS to escape into the bloodstream. Similarly, lack of quality sleep impacts the gut microbiome negatively, increasing gut permeability and LPS translocation.

Tracking Oxidative Stress with Urine Tests

To monitor the impact of LPS and related oxidative stress, urine tests can provide valuable information on biomarkers of oxidative damage. These tests allow us to track how lifestyle changes impact cellular health. Key biomarkers include:

• 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG): This marker indicates oxidative damage to DNA, which is often elevated in the presence of chronic inflammation and LPS-induced stress.
• F2-isoprostanes: This marker reflects lipid peroxidation, or cell membrane damage, caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. High levels indicate that the body is under significant oxidative stress, likely due to inflammation.

Testing these biomarkers helps us assess the effectiveness of dietary and lifestyle changes in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. By tracking changes over time, we can better tailor anti-inflammatory interventions for each individual.