Did you know that you cannot successfully heal any chronic condition if your gut is not functioning properly? The good news is that we can choose to make significant diet and lifestyle modifications so your body can start to heal itself. I know that making lifestyle changes can be difficult, but honestly, that’s the difference between those that heal and those that don’t heal.
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Leaky gut syndrome, also known as “intestinal permeability,” happens when the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged, allowing undigested food particles, toxic waste products and bacteria to “leak” through the intestines and into the bloodstream. Sounds gross, huh? It is gross and leaky gut can also lead to major health issues.
These toxins in the bloodstream can cause a autoimmune diseases and various responses in the body like migraines, irritable bowel, eczema, chronic fatigue, food allergies, rheumatoid arthritis and even depression. (Source)
Why is the gut important?
The gut is actually the biggest immune system organ. It houses more immunal cells than anywhere else in the body. We want our gut lining to have tight junctions which helps to keep our immune system strong and fight off any “bad bugs” that we encounter.
Scientists have also dubbed the gut our “second brain.” That’s because it consists of sheaths of neurons embedded in the long tube of our gut.
“A deeper understanding of this mass of neural tissue, filled with important neurotransmitters, is revealing that it does much more than merely handle digestion or inflict the occasional nervous pang. The little brain in our innards, in connection with the big one in our skulls, partly determines our mental state and plays key roles in certain diseases throughout the body.” (Source)
So you see why gut health is more important than you may have even realized!
Signs You May Have Leaky Gut
Since your gut affects your entire system, it makes sense then that the symptoms of leaky gut can be wide ranging. (Source)
- Gastric ulcers
- Allergies
- Diarrhea
- Infections (e.g. respiratory)
- Irritable bowel syndrome; functional GI diseases
- Acute inflammation (sepsis, SIRS, MOF)
- Inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac disease
- Chronic inflammation (e.g. arthritis)
- Cancer (esophagus, colorectal)
- Obesity-associated metabolic diseases (NASH, diabetes type I and II, CVD)
In order to help reduce inflammation, it’s important to eliminate excessive amounts of carbohydrates and sugars, as well as any known food allergens. Instead, consume high quality protein, organic vegetables, and healthy good fat, such as avocados, coconut oil and olive oil, to help achieve optimal health.
So, how can we heal our leaky gut? We need to take steps to remove the offending sources of leaky gut by consuming healing foods, detoxing, fasting, and taking high-quality supplements. Your gut can then heal itself and other chronic conditions will become better as well.