Digestive conditions, chronic fatigue, and autoimmune disorders are some of the many ailments that could indicate a leaky gut. Research has shown that a vast proportion of our immune system is connected to our gut microbiome.
In fact, leaky gut is regarded as “a danger signal for autoimmune diseases.”
Although this condition starts off affecting the digestive system without proper care it can wreak havoc on the entire body. In other words, the wellness of the gut is connected to the health of the complete organ system.
Despite there being decades of publications that support the evidence of this condition, it is only recently that conventional medicine has begun to recognize Leaky Gut Syndrome and the importance of addressing it.
There are millions of individuals suffer from a leaky gut without even realizing it! - This is why Functional Medicine practically begins with assisting individuals in managing chronic health conditions through gut healing.
This article will look closely at the etiology, presentation, prevention, and treatment of leaky gut syndrome to help you begin to restore your health. Let’s go deeper and find out how!
What is Leaky Gut?
Leaky gut syndrome, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a condition in which the intestinal wall lining begins to loosen, compromising the barrier's ability to filter toxic substances from entering the bloodstream. When this occurs, an increase in inflammatory immune responses can result in a variety of health conditions.
What happens when you have Leaky Gut?
Studies have shown that stress, nutritional variables such as the quantity, quality, and frequency of food consumption, and dysbiosis (imbalance in gut flora) can increase intestinal leakiness and mucosal injury.
Consider a coffee filter that cannot catch the coffee grounds and oily components, causing the regular liquid flow to be disrupted. The same thing can happen to your intestinal lining.
When the intestinal barrier is compromised, "toxins and bacteria" can leak from the intestines into the rest of the body, triggering an inflammatory response that, if not treated or addressed, can manifest as a variety of diseases.
Signs/Symptoms and Conditions You Should Know About Leaky Gut
According to one study on intestinal permeability, the long-standing condition of hyperpermeability is usually caused by continuous damage to the intestinal lining. This results in acute inflammation and, in some cases, chronic inflammation or an autoimmune response. The primary role of your immune response, which combats infections and diseases, becomes overactive leading to several symptoms and health problems.
Among the most prominent signs and conditions that could indicate you have a leaky gut are:
Burning sensation in your gut caused by ulceration.
Seasonal allergies or asthmatic symptoms
Irritable bowel syndrome
Skin conditions like acne, rosacea, or eczema.
Acute and chronic inflammatory conditions
Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Weak or poor immune system
Autoimmune diseases including lupus, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis
Tendency to gain weight or obesity
Metabolic disorders related to obesity include cancers, type 2 diabetes, gall bladder disease, gout, polycystic ovaries, and heart disease.
Leaky gut may not directly cause any of these conditions — it’s more that people who have gut issues are more likely to have a number of other health problems. So while the scientific evidence has not yet proven that increased intestinal hyperpermeability is actually responsible for these conditions, it strongly suggests that leaky gut and other dysfunctions tend to occur simultaneously.
What Causes a Leaky Gut?
In order to fix a leaky gut, it’s important to discover the underlying cause. This ensures it’s properly addressed and adequate care is received to heal your gut and restore your health. Here are the seven leading causes of increased intestinal permeability:
Food sensitivities - such as gluten intolerance and allergies to dairy products.
Poor sleeping habits, and chronic emotional and mental stress - impair your immune system and affect your body's ability to clear harmful viruses and bacteria.
Toxic foods - such as those low in fiber and high in sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods may initiate this process.
Exposure to infections - including parasites, bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Other diseases that cause intestinal injury - such as HIV/AIDS.
Chronic overuse of medications - including NSAIDs (i.e. aspirin, ibuprofen) and antibiotics.
Genetic predisposition - higher chance of developing a condition based on a person's genetic makeup, resulting in increased sensitivity to environmental factors that "trigger" autoimmune responses.
Medical Approach
One reason intestinal hyperpermeability is not recognized as a medical condition at present time is because, there is no gold standard test for measuring intestinal permeability directly in patients. In most cases, doctors will prescribe medication to address the patient's immediate symptoms.
Irritable bowel syndrome, for example, is typically treated with anti-diarrheal drugs to relieve diarrhea or anticholinergics to relieve spasms, this is to alleviate symptoms but not the underlying cause.
WebMD refers to leaky gut as “something of a medical mystery.” Because so much about leaky gut syndrome is unclear, we must determine whether you or any of your loved ones' symptoms could be related to this.
To better understand your condition and manage your symptoms with a healthy and holistic approach, you may seek the advice of competent functional medicine practitioner.
Leaky Gut Treatment
Researchers are still looking into the efficacy of various treatments for restoring overall health and repairing the integrity of the gut lining. Although treating your leaky gut will not reverse the effects of the illness, it may help reduce further damage to your intestinal lining and improve your symptoms.
Because leaky gut is a result of the disruption in intestinal absorption, there are proven ways to enhance your digestive health and the integrity of the gut lining.
Here are 7 ways to treat your leaky gut, general digestive symptoms, and restore your overall gut health:
1. Switch to a healthy and nutritious diet
These include gut-healing food such as gluten-free grains, sprouted seeds, healthy fats, fermented vegetables, cultured dairy products, fruits, and vegetables are all great choices for promoting digestive health. An unhealthy gut is primarily related to diet. A healthy nutrition plan will help you minimize the risk of leaky gut. Vitamin D and an amino acid known as L-glutamine specifically aid in the repair of your gut lining.
2. Reduce stress
Gut bacteria can be harmed by chronic stress, according to a 2017 study. Activities like meditation and deep-breathing exercises help to lower cortisol. Cortisol is generally an anti-inflammatory and suppresses the immune response, but continuous stimulation can cause the immune system to become compromised.
3. Stop smoking
According to a study in 2013, tobacco smoke was reported to promote Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Smoking elevates intestinal pH, which disrupts the microbiome by causing bacterial overgrowth and therefore, imbalances in the intestinal microbiome.
4. Improve your sleep habits, sleep more!
When you don't get enough sleep, your gut health is compromised. Sleep deprivation can cause hormonal instability by increasing your stress levels. The hyperstimulation of the stress hormone, cortisol, may result in increased permeability of your intestinal lining, leading to leaky gut.
5. Remove gastric irritants and inflammatory foods.
These are processed foods, alcohol, unhealthy fats, and refined carbs that can trigger the release of harmful gut bacteria and stimulate the production of harsh dietary emulsifiers, causing inflammation in the intestinal lining.
6. Repair leaky gut with supplements.
Leaky gut supplements include probiotics, digestive enzymes, fiber, L-glutamine, licorice, marshmallow root, collagen powder, and Shilajit. A healthy diet rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin D, as well as zinc, may help reduce inflammation and improve the healing process. You can also use anti-inflammatory spices like ginger, garlic, and turmeric.
7. Restore the balance of your gut microbiome (good bacteria).
This will promote resistance to the invasion and overgrowth of harmful bacteria while also improving nutrient absorption in the gut. You can do this by consuming fermented foods and drinks such as kombucha, tempeh, kefir, kimchi, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, and more. They can improve the microbiome by increasing its efficiency and decreasing the number of pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract.
In Conclusion
Leaky gut syndrome, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a condition in which the wall of the intestinal lining begins to loosen, compromising the barrier's ability to filter toxic substances from entering the bloodstream. When this occurs, there is an increase in inflammatory immune responses contributing to the presentation of various health conditions.
Most people have general gut inflammation, a starting point for leaky gut. This could be due to a specific disease or a combination of poor eating habits, unhealthy lifestyles, chronic stress, and other health conditions.
Treatment can begin with replacing gut-damaging foods and aggravating factors with a gut-healthy diet and lifestyle. Additionally, you may take digestive health supplements and probiotics to rebalance your gut flora.
Seek medical attention to address your symptoms. A competent functional medicine practitioner can help you determine the underlying cause of your illness and treat your condition through strategic meal planning and counseling.
You can start improving your digestive and immune systems today. A healthy gut is the foundation of a healthy body.