Better Health Awaits
How much do you know about your gut? Did you know that the majority of the immune system resides there?
Hippocrates correctly identified that “all disease begins in the gut,” but only recently has science revealed the true importance of gut health!
Learning about how your gut works will give you a better understanding of how the entire gastrointestinal tract functions and why it plays such an essential role in health. Leaky gut, for example, is a difficult condition to diagnose as the symptoms are common to many other illnesses. With the help of modern understanding of preventative and functional health, identifying leaky gut is simplified. By determining the underlying cause of the condition, we can address the root cause of the problem.
Because symptoms of leaky gut can be consistent with symptoms of many other conditions, identifying leaky gut can be challenging. If you’ve gone through the wringer with testing only to come up short with an answer, there’s a good chance you may have a leaky gut disorder.
This post will reveal what your gut might be telling you, explain the gut ecosystem, and share various signs of leaky gut. It will discuss different types of testing available, help you identify underlying causes, and teach you about the anatomy of the digestive system. Finally, I’ll share dietary tips to help your gut heal naturally.
The Ins and Outs of Leaky Gut Syndrome
Diet is typically the first line of defense when it comes to treating many illnesses. it is known that the gut plays a significant function in weight, heart health, blood sugar levels, immunity, and even brain health! This is all attributed to the microbiome that resides in the gut.
The gut is home to as much as 2-5 pounds of bacteria! The balance of these bacteria is what controls health. When the beneficial bacteria outnumber the harmful microbes, all is well. However, the bad guys can, in turn, wreak havoc on your entire system when they outnumber the good. Can you guess the most significant factor in gut bacteria balance? Food! Everything we eat can either feed the beneficial bacteria or the harmful bacteria.
I am committed to getting to the root cause of whatever conditions may be ailing you. I understand treating symptoms can provide immediate relief; however, if you don’t understand the cause of your symptoms, they are likely to recur.
If you’ve been through various tests and still come up short on answers, you may have leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut is the result of a lack of intestinal enzymes that are necessary for digestion. Without the right enzymes to break down food, the body cannot absorb the nutrients needed to thrive. This can lead to hormone imbalances and a weakened immune system. Additionally, larger particles not normally absorbed may ‘leak’ out of the intestines into the bloodstream.
The result is an autoimmune reaction, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal bloating, excessive gas and cramps, fatigue, food sensitivities, joint pain, skin rashes, and autoimmunity.
Causes vary and may include chronic inflammation, poorly managed food sensitivities, damage from taking large amounts of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), cytotoxic drugs and radiation, certain antibiotics, excessive alcohol consumption, or compromised immunity.
I can help you get to the bottom of your symptoms and start treating the cause at the root!
“All disease begins in the gut.”
~Hippocrates
Go With Your Gut
When considering health, it’s common to overlook the role of our gastrointestinal system, but you shouldn’t!
The gut contains 10 times more health-determining bacteria than the rest of the body which means it works very hard to protect us from infection, support our metabolism, and promote healthy digestion and elimination.
Three-quarters of our immune system comes from over 100 trillion organisms in the gut, which is why many health professionals are finally turning their attention to the gut when it comes to diagnosing illnesses.
The gut contains both beneficial and harmful bacteria, which makes up the gut flora. An unbalanced gut flora, called dysbiosis, leads to an increased susceptibility to intestinal permeability, which determines our overall state of health. Permeability refers to a process where molecules can pass through to enter the bloodstream. This process is essential for nutrient exchange.
The majority of the population has unbalanced gut flora, which is primarily attributed to poor diet. If you experience symptoms regularly, you can work with a health professional to determine the cause of your condition and prevent further illness.
“The road to health is paved with good intestines!”
~Sherry A. Rogers
Signs of Leaky Gut
Many symptoms of leaky gut are brushed off as “normal” bodily functions, but these uncomfortable conditions can be avoided!
Do you suffer from any of the following?
- Chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas, or bloating
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Poor immune system
- Headaches, brain fog, memory loss
- Excessive fatigue
- Skin rashes and problems such as acne, eczema, or rosacea
- Cravings for sugar or carbs
- Arthritis or joint pain
- Depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD
You may be surprised to learn these conditions are linked to gut health!
Don’t be fooled by seemingly normal discomfort. If you suspect there is a deeper issue, seek help! As an Integrative Health & Nutrition Coach, I focus on addressing root cause to relieve or reverse symptoms to heal the gut.
How to Test for Leaky Gut Syndrome
The symptoms of leaky gut can easily be mistaken for other health conditions, and while there is no specific test for leaky gut, other tests are available that can point you in the direction of better health:
Zonulin or Lactulose Test
This test determines intestinal permeability by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. Following the ingestion of the sugars lactulose and mannitol, urine samples are checked for the presence of these sugars. The amount of sugar present will indicate if leaky gut is an issue.
IgG Food Intolerance Test
This type of test will determine specific food sensitivities and is done through a blood sample.
Stool Test
A stool test reveals information about any pathogenic microorganisms, such as yeast, parasites, and bacteria that might contribute to leaky gut.
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies Test
Damage to the gut lining impairs the absorption of nutrients leading to deficiencies. This test is done with a urine sample.
Talk with your healthcare practitioner to determine which tests may be right for you.
Underlying Causes of Leaky Gut
Modern life may be the primary driver of gut inflammation. There is emerging evidence that the ‘Standard American Diet‘ (SAD), which is low in fiber and high in sugar and saturated fats, may initiate the process of leaky gut syndrome.
Because leaky gut syndrome is an impaired gut lining, nutrients aren’t properly absorbed, and the impaired lining fails as an effective barrier to protect against foreign invaders.
The exact cause of leaky gut syndrome has yet to be discovered; however, there are many possible underlying causes.
- Genetic predisposition may be to blame in some people who are sensitive to environmental triggers that initiate an autoimmune response.
- Diet is a significant factor when it comes to health and wellness. Certain foods have been linked to increased inflammation which can aggravate or worsen leaky gut syndrome.
- Toxin overload from environmental exposures, high drug and alcohol consumption, or overuse of antibiotics may be to blame. Toxins weaken the immune system which can have a negative impact on the gut.
Determining which causes are attributed to your illness is key to correcting issues.
The Leaky Gut Diet
If you feel as though you could be suffering from leaky gut, changing your diet could be the treatment you need:
1. Remove any known food allergens and inflammatory causing foods from the diet. Common culprits include refined grains and industrial oils, added sugar, and synthetic food additives.
2. Incorporate more gut-healing foods into your diet, such as:
- Bone broth
- Raw cultured dairy
- Fermented vegetables
- Sprouted seeds
- Omega-3 fats (from food and/or supplements)
3. Supplements can help support your digestive health and protect the gastrointestinal lining.
- Look for a high count probiotic to help replenish beneficial bacteria.
- Digestive enzymes can ensure that foods are fully digested.
- L-Glutamine is a powerful anti-inflammatory.
Supplements for a Healthy Gut
Managing, healing, and preventing leaky gut syndrome is essential to overall health. Here is a list of supplements that can help.
Supplements to help with digesting food
- Pancreatic enzymes help digest macronutrients (fat, protein, and carbohydrates)
Supplements to heal the intestinal lining
- Glutamine is an amino acid that can be depleted when the body is stressed
- Aloe Vera is very healing and helps reduce inflammation
- Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory herb that helps heal the intestinal lining
Supplements to help balance bacteria in the gut
- Probiotics to promote the growth of helpful bacteria and preventing the growth of abnormal bacteria, yeast, and parasites
- Prebiotics feed the bacteria living in your gut
For optimal gut health, you should also include a daily dose of fermented foods such as kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, and tempeh. These foods are prebiotic- and probiotic-rich and are known to lower inflammation, increase blood-sugar control, and improve antioxidant status.
Anatomy of a Leaky Gut
Digestive wellness isn’t limited to the intestines! Here’s what happens in your body as you fuel it with food.
- The digestive tract begins with the mouth, as we chew, our saliva starts breaking down food and releases enzymes to initiate the process of dissolving proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
- Next, enzymes and acids in the stomach further break down food as it prepares to enter the small intestine. The large intestine continues to break down the food even further. The small intestine absorbs digested molecules of fats, proteins, and starches.
The gut lining is vital to disease prevention. However, it is vulnerable to external elements, such as harmful bacteria, fungi, yeast or other microorganisms, which enter the body through food and water. The gut lining is under continuous assault from processed foods, sugar, food intolerance, stress, toxins, alcohol, infections, and medications that irritate and inflame it. Furthermore, inflammation can occur in the absence of adequate fiber.
“The part can never be well unless the whole is well.”
~Plato
Your Gut Will Thank You
Although most would say that digestion begins in the mouth with the release of enzymes, it really begins when we see and smell food which triggers saliva. But when the gut lacks the necessary enzymes to break down food properly, the body cannot utilize nutrients. Since the gut contains 10 times more health-determining bacteria than the rest of the body, it’s paramount to maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria which is crucial to health.
Diet is the first line of defense when it comes to correcting intestinal imbalances. When you can’t get the nutrients you need, supplementation is the next best option. Here are some suggestions for supplementation for digestive health.
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