Have you heard of Leaky Gut Syndrome? It may not be familiar, yet according to researchers and industry experts nearly 80 percent of our population suffers from leaky gut to some degree. That’s hundreds of millions of people experiencing issues with their digestive systems associated with Leaky Gut Syndrome (also called increased intestinal permeability.) It’s something to be taken seriously, as the symptoms of leaky gut aren’t only uncomfortable and debilitating on a daily basis but can lead to some serious health problems.
In fact, when leaky gut syndrome progresses, it can lead to anything from food allergies to low energy; joint pain to thyroid disease; and autoimmune conditions or slow metabolism.
In this blog we’ll cover the basic facts about leaky gut, and I‘ll offer my special tips how to avoid and heal it for optimal health.
Leaky Gut Syndrome, explained:
The lining of your digestive tract is like a net, catching larger particles but allowing other small substances to pass through its extremely small openings. When someone has leaky gut syndrome, that net-like function of the digestive tract is compromised, causing bigger holes that allow more particles to pass through that shouldn’t.
These harmful larger particles include undigested food particles, bad bacteria, and proteins like gluten. Just as dangerous, toxic waste matter may leak from the inside of your intestinal wall into your bloodstream because of these larger holes in the “net” of your digestive tract, causing immune reactions.
The symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome:
As leaky gut progresses, the increased immune reactions lead to inflammation in entire your system, causing these symptoms and more:
- Bloating
- Food sensitivities
- Thyroid conditions
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Skin issues like rosacea and acne
- Digestive problems
- Weight gain
- Syndrome X (metabolic syndrome aka pre-diabetes)
What can happen if leaky gut is left untreated?
As leaky gut progresses untreated, a host of more serious health problems can ensure, including:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- IBS
- Arthritis
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Migraine headaches
- Muscle pain
- Chronic fatigue.
- Problems absorbing vital minerals and nutrients including zinc, iron and vitamin B12
- Autoimmune diseases including Type 1 Diabetes
There is also a direct link between leaky gut and the brain. In fact, leaky gut syndrome has been attributed to psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. That’s because intestinal permeability allows proteins to leak through the gut and recirculate in the entire system, including the brain, causing damage similar to opioid drugs. For that reason, gluten-free and casein-free diets have proven effective for helping function in autistic children.
The four main causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome:
- Poor diet
- Chronic stress
- Toxin overload
- Bacterial imbalance
Which foods typically cause leaky gut?
Foods that cause damage to your intestinal lining include:
- Un-sprouted grains
- Sugar
- GMO’s
- Conventional cow dairy
One of the big culprits in most of these foods that cause leaky gut is lectins, the sugar-binding proteins that serve as a natural defense system for plants but attach to the digestive lining of humans, damaging your gut and causing inflammation.
Your body usually does fine with small amounts of lectins, but wheat, rice, spelt and soy contain large amounts of lectins. Grains that contain glutens will also damage your intestinal lining and lead to leaky gut syndrome.
What other factors cause leaky gut?
- Chronic stress
Over time, chronic and acute stress weakens your immune system, inhibiting your body’s natural ability to stave off bad bacteria and viruses. This also leads to increased inflammation and leaky gut.
- Toxins
Did you know that every year, the average person is exposed to 80,000 chemicals and toxins? Many of those can cause leaky gut, especially antibiotics, pesticides, tap water, aspirin and NSAIDS.
- Dysbiosis
An imbalance between the “good” and “bad” of bacteria in your gut – called Dysbiosis – is a major cause of leaky gut. There are many reasons for Dysbiosis, including the overuse of prescription antibiotics, tap water with chlorine and fluoride, shortage of probiotic-rich foods in our diet, and even just being born if your mother had a C-section or didn’t have a healthy gut herself.
How to heal leaky gut:
Your body can also heal from leaky gut, reversing the damage and protecting you from further symptoms.
Here are my quick five steps to healing leaky gut:
- Stop eating foods that damage the gut and cause leaky gut
- Start eating the right foods that heal and protect your gut
- Eliminate the lifestyle factors that cause leaky gut as well
- Take certain supplements that help you heal
- Rebalance your system with probiotics
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Want a recipe to help get you started? Start your day with my LOVE MY HORMONES SHAKE, it's better than coffee and will help fuel your morning with the right kind of foods! You can also schedule a FREE CONSOLUTATION with me and I’ll give you specific information how to heal leaky gut with these give steps, as well as a diet plan and healing foods and supplements you should be taking to heal your leaky gut.
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