Leaky gut syndrome occurs when the normal sieve that allows for the absorption of small micronutrients in the gut gets bigger holes in it. This causes larger food particles and toxins to get into the bloodstream, negatively affecting your digestive health and your quality of life.
Leaky gut syndrome has been associated with a number of chronic diseases that seem to be unrelated. It is believed that leaky gut syndrome is caused by chronic stress, an overload of toxins, bad dietary choices, and bacterial imbalances in the gut. Because these are part of the lifestyle of the typical American, leaky gut is extremely common.
There are several chronic conditions believed to be related to having a leaky gut. These include:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Eczema and psoriasis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Autism
- Asthma
- Allergies
Typical Symptoms of Leaky Gut
It is important to know if you have leaky gut so you can be treated for the condition before chronic diseases get out of control. Some common symptoms of leaky gut include the following:
- Inflammatory bowel disease. It has been found through research that leaky gut syndrome is leaked to ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as other digestive diseases.
- Food sensitivities. Many food sensitivities are related directly to having a leaky gut. The holes in the gut allow larger particles of food to enter the blood stream and we become “allergic” to the proteins in the food. Dairy products and gluten are particularly associated with food allergies.
- Autoimmune diseases. Leaky gut is associated with autoimmune diseases. An article published in Physiologic Reviews indicated that when leaky gut occurs, it sets up the immune system to make antibodies against its own cells, leading to autoimmune diseases and even cancers.
- Thyroid difficulties. One of the most common disorders that come from having a leaky gut is Hashimoto’s disease. This is an inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by autoantibodies against the thyroid gland; it leads to a low thyroid condition.
- Malabsorption. Leaky gut syndrome can result in deficiencies of enzymes, magnesium, and B12. When key enzymes aren’t properly absorbed, all of digestion is impaired. A recommendation for managing leaky gut is to take probiotics, which enhance absorption.
- Skin conditions. There is a connection between the gut and the skin. Leaky gut syndrome can cause a variety of skin conditions, including psoriasis (an autoimmune disorder) and acne. While many people resort to various creams and ointments to treat these conditions, it may better be treated by having treatment for a leaky gut.
- Autism and mood disorders. Leaky gut syndrome is believed to be part of the cause of autism and other neuroendocrine problems. Leaky gut syndrome triggers an inflammatory response that induces depression and other mood problems. Autism is also believed to be related to having a leaky gut in childhood.
Helping a Leaky Gut
There are several things that you can do to help prevent and treat leaky gut syndrome. These include:
- Rebalancing the diet with probiotics
- Repairing the gut using specific supplements
- Replacing bad foods with healing foods
- Removing foods that trigger leaky gut
The top foods that result in leaky gut include foods containing GMO, dairy products, meat products, grains, and sugars. Even things like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, pesticides, and tap water can lead to a leaky gut by causing a toxic exposure to the system.
You can heal a leaky gut by trying the following foods:
- Raw cultured dairy products. These are high in probiotics and healthy fatty acids that will heal a leaky gut. Try eating raw cheeses, butter, amasai, yogurt, and pastured kefir in order to help heal your leaky gut.
- Bone broth. This is high in amino acids, such as glycine and proline, as well as collagen that will heal the lining of the GI tract. Try eating a diet only using bone broth in order to heal your leaky gut.
- Coconut. Any type of coconut product is good for a leaky gut. The healthy fatty acids in coconut products are simpler to digest when compared to other types of fats so your gut doesn’t have to work so hard to absorb them.
- Fermented vegetables. These contain organic acids that help to keep the pH of the gut in balance and contain probiotics that help to heal a leaky gut. Try eating kvass, kimchi, or sauerkraut for a leaky gut.
- Sprouted seeds. Things like sprouted hemp seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds have a large amount of fiber in them that help heal a leaky gut by supporting the growth of healthy bacteria. Steamed vegetables and fruit can also be sources of fiber that can be used to heal a leaky gut.
If you can eat some of these foods, your leaky gut will improve, and you’ll have better health and a better quality of life.
