Everything You Need to Know About Leaky Gut
Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is essential for overall well-being. Also known as increased intestinal permeability, leaky gut refers to a condition where the lining of the intestine becomes compromised, allowing harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream.
What is Leaky Gut?
The intestinal lining acts as a selective barrier, allowing the absorption of nutrients while preventing the entry of harmful substances such as bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles. In individuals with leaky gut, the tight junctions between the intestinal cells become more permeable, allowing undesirable substances to pass through and enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, these substances can trigger an immune response, leading to a wide range of health issues.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Leaky Gut:
Digestive Issues: Bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation may be signs of leaky gut. The compromised gut lining can affect normal digestive processes and nutrient absorption.
Food Sensitivities: Leaky gut can lead to increased sensitivity to certain foods, particularly those commonly associated with inflammation, such as gluten, dairy, and grains.
Chronic Fatigue: The constant exposure of the immune system to substances leaking from the gut can cause chronic inflammation, leading to fatigue and a lack of energy.
Skin Problems: Leaky gut has been linked to various skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Inflammation triggered by leaky gut can manifest as skin irritations and rashes.
Joint Pain, Headaches, and Inflammation: Leaky gut can contribute to systemic inflammation, which may result in joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, and overall increased susceptibility to inflammation-related conditions.
Autoimmune Conditions: There is evidence to suggest that leaky gut may be associated with the development or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Mood and Cognitive Issues: Leaky gut can affect the gut-brain axis, potentially leading to symptoms like brain fog, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and depression.
Hormone & Blood Sugar Imbalances: The gut microbiome helps regulate a variety of different hormones including estrogen, serotonin, GABA, insulin, thyroid hormone, and leptin. If the gut is leaky and in a state of dysbiosis, hormone and neurotransmitter balance can be affected.
Potential Causes of Leaky Gut:
Poor Diet: Consuming a diet high in refined sugars, processed foods, gluten, and additives can promote inflammation and compromise gut health.
Chronic Stress: Prolonged stress can impair the function of the GI system and disrupt tight junctions, leading to an imbalance of gut bacteria and compromising the integrity of the gut lining.
Dysbiosis: An imbalance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut can contribute to intestinal permeability. Certain medications, such as antibiotics, NSAIDS, oral contraceptives, and antacids can disrupt the gut microbiome and lead to dysbiosis.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals, pollutants, and chemicals in personal care products can damage the intestinal lining.
Food Sensitivities: Consuming any foods one is sensitive to can trigger an immune response and contribute to intestinal inflammation. Often, food sensitivities are due to underlying GI infections or dysbiosis which perpetuate the cycle of leaky gut.
Healing Leaky Gut:
Fortunately, leaky gut can be addressed and healed through various approaches.
Dietary Modifications: Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods is essential. Focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, complete proteins, healthy fats, and fermented foods. Avoid inflammatory foods such as refined sugars, gluten, dairy, and processed foods.
Gut-Healing Foods: Include foods that promote gut healing and provide nourishment, such as bone broth, collagen, and fermented foods like sauerkraut or kimchi. These foods contain essential nutrients that support the repair and integrity of the intestinal lining.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Introduce beneficial bacteria through probiotic supplements or fermented foods to restore a healthy balance of gut flora. Consuming prebiotic-rich foods like onions, garlic, apples, and asparagus, will help nourish beneficial gut bacteria.
Stress Management: Implement stress reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or regular exercise to help manage chronic stress, as it can have a significant impact on gut health.
Supplemental support: Gut repairing supplements including glutamine, marshmallow root, and slippery elm can be indispensable in healing and repairing the intestinal lining.
Leaky gut can significantly impact overall health and well-being, but with the right approach, it is entirely possible to fix. Working with a provider to uncover underlying GI issues is the best way to pinpoint any problems and treat leaky gut.
Please contact us if you need help healing from leaky gut or any other undesirable symptoms. We use a root cause, holistic approach to uncover any underlying issues that may be negatively impacting your health!
