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Understanding Leaky Gut: Causes, Symptoms, and Healing Options


Many reasons for a leaky gut written on white board
Reasons for leaky gut

THE GUT

Ever heard the term "leaky gut"? A layman's term for intestinal permeability? As a gut-focused nutritionist, I talk about this condition often in clinic with my clients.


Cells lining our intestines have tight junctions. This keeps stuff that needs to be absorbed and excreted from the body to be contained and processed. This is when your gut is functioning optimally. When the gut becomes leaky food particles and toxins including LPS spill into the blood stream causing inflammation and disease. We want to the gut lining to be strong and intact so we can digest our foods optimally and absorb the nutrients from them.


There are many factors that can cause the gut to become leaky, this is when (yes you guessed it) the cells lining the gut become separated and allow toxins or those particles that should not leave the gut travel into the blood stream which results in unpleasant signs and symptoms that the person experiences.

A leaky gut can cause symptoms in the body.
A leaky gut lets toxins flow into the body

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A LEAKY GUT

  • Digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhoea, IBS

  • Reactions to foods such as food intolerances and allergies

  • Histamine issues

  • Brain fog and concentration problems

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Skin problems, eczema, acne, rosacea, itchy skin

  • Seasonal allergies, asthma, hay fever

  • Hormonal imbalances, PMS, PMT, PCOS

  • Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimato's disease

  • Chronic fatigue and Fibromyalgia

These signs and symptoms warrant gut investigations.


woman holding her tummy wearing a white top
Woman holding her tummy with leaky gut

WHAT CAUSES A LEAKY GUT?

  • Food sensitivities and allergies

  • Pathogenic organisms residing in the gut such as candida overgrowth (SIFO), parasites, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and gut bacterial imbalances also called dysbiosis

  • Toxins environmental such as glyphosates and internal toxins such as LPS (Lipopolysaccharides)

  • An imbalance between your healthy gut bacteria and pathogenic organisms

  • Not being able to digest your foods properly

  • Stress, long term emotional stress and physical stress

  • High alcohol consumption

  • Lack of sleep


HOW TO HEAL A LEAKY GUT


  • Eat foods that support you and avoid those that you know are causing symptoms identified by food sensitivity testing or dietary elimination

  • Eat a diverse diet rich in fibre and colour

  • Consume home made bone broth

  • Sleep well, follow a good sleep protocol

  • Keep check on stress and find ways to reduce your stress load

  • Exercise in moderation and not to excess

  • Work with your microbiome to support your gut health

  • Take nutrients that support gut healing and gut lining integrity such as Vitamin A, Zinc, Quercetin, L-Glutamine, Polyphenols and probiotics.


Are you struggling with gut problems you are not able to solve on your own?

Get in touch with me, I offer gut therapy sessions for people struggling with digestion, bloating, fatigue and more.

Book a free 30 minute gut health call here Contact





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