What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

When it comes to digestive health issues, one condition that we’re starting to hear more about is leaky gut syndrome.

Leaky gut syndrome is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Basically, when our gut lining isn’t healthy, the intestinal wall can develop cracks or holes in it. When the barrier between the gut and the rest of the body is “leaky,” bacteria and toxins can make their way into the bloodstream due to increased intestinal permeability.

Some members of the medical community aren’t quite convinced that leaky gut syndrome is a stand-alone medical condition. Experiencing symptoms might just be your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right.

Having a leaky gut may indicate that there’s a bigger issue underneath the surface that needs to be diagnosed and treated. It’s been linked to things like irritable bowel syndrome, food sensitivities and allergies, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, autoimmune disorders, and liver disease.

What Causes Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Research hasn’t concluded whether leaky gut syndrome causes certain health conditions, or if it’s the other way around.

However, since intestinal permeability can be affected when there’s a disruption with gut flora, there may be certain factors that increase the risk of leaky gut. Things like alcohol abuse, diabetes, stress, and poor nutrition can all have a negative effect on gut health.

What Are the Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome?

There are all sorts of different symptoms that may signal that leaky gut syndrome is to blame for wreaking havoc on your body.

You may experience just one or a combination of symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Brain Fog
• Trouble Concentrating
• Constipation, Bloating, Gas, Diarrhea
• Joint Pain
• Skin Conditions/Eczema
• Hormone Imbalances
• Headaches
• Food Sensitivities & Allergies
• Inflammation in the Body

How Do You Heal a Leaky Gut?

If you suspect that you have leaky gut syndrome, it’s important that you work with your doctor or another skilled health expert who understands the gut in case there’s a bigger issue that needs to be addressed.

Here are some ways that symptoms of a leaky gut may be treated.

DIET

Since nutrition is a key player in gut health, you may be able to ease symptoms by cleaning up your diet and including foods that keep your gut happy. Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, garlic, grass-fed dairy, bananas, apples, and onions are all beneficial to gut bacteria.

Other foods that are good for the body and support immunity include sweet potatoes, broccoli, berries, citrus fruits, and red peppers.

Cutting out refined starches, oils, and sugars also makes for a better environment for gut flora to thrive.

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES & SUPPLEMENTS

There are certain digestive enzymes and supplements that may help strengthen your gut lining. Some of these include:

• L-Glutamine – an essential amino acid for the preservation of the gut function barrier
• Slippery Elm – stimulates nerve endings in the intestinal tract, which promotes mucus secretion to protect the gut lining
• Probiotics – the good bacteria in the gut that keeps the bad bacteria from multiplying
• Marshmallow Root – helps decrease inflammation in the stomach lining
• Collagen – helps strengthen the gut lining because it contains essential amino acids, including glycine, glutamine, and proline

CUT BACK OR ELIMINATE ALCOHOL

Studies have shown that alcohol is extremely harmful to the gut and promotes intestinal inflammation. The inflammation can then lead to organ damage in the body.

On top of that, alcohol robs us of getting a good night’s rest by disturbing normal sleep patterns, it’s dehydrating, and it can also lead to weight gain. You’ll reap all sorts of health benefits by kicking it to the curb, or at least cutting back.

GET MORE SLEEP

Believe it or not, the amount of sleep you’re getting at night can have an effect on the health of your gut. When you don’t get enough zzz’s, it can create changes to gut bacteria, which in turn, might lead to symptoms of leaky gut.

Yet another reason to shut off Netflix and crawl into bed a little earlier. (A win-win!)

REDUCE STRESS

It’s no secret that stress takes a toll on the body in more ways than one. Research has shown that it can contribute to an unhealthy gut environment, which can have an effect on “good” bacteria flourishing.

Taking extra measures to eliminate stress and practice self-care will help keep your gut balanced.

In Conclusion:

As a Certified Transformational Nutrition Coach, leaky gut syndrome is something you may run into with clients, especially if you get a specialist certification in digestive health.

While there’s still a lot to learn about the condition, it should be taken seriously. Symptoms of leaky gut syndrome could be the first signs that there’s a bigger issue that needs to be taken care of.

Have you experienced any symptoms of leaky gut syndrome? Let us know in the comments!