The gut is the gateway to health. If your gut is healthy, chances are that you're in good health. However, there's a condition called leaky gut that can lead to a host of health problems.
What is a leaky gut?
The gut is naturally permeable to very small molecules in order to absorb these vital nutrients. In fact, regulating intestinal permeability and the integrity of the tight junctions is one of the basic functions of the cells that line the intestinal wall. Stress, poor nutrition, toxins, inflammatory foods, medications, infections, alcohol and sugar are some of the culprits suspected of causing a leaky gut.
Once these tight junctions get broken apart, you have a leaky gut. When your gut is leaky, things like toxins, microbes, undigested food particles, and more can escape from your intestines and travel throughout your body via your bloodstream. Your immune system marks these "foreign invaders" as pathogens and attacks them. The immune response to these invaders can appear in the form of any of the nine signs you have a leaky gut.
9 Signs You Have a Leaky Gut
1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhoea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
2. Seasonal allergies or asthma.
3. Hormonal imbalances such as PMS or PCOS.
4. Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, psoriasis, or celiac disease.
5. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.
6. Mood and mind issues such as depression, anxiety, ADD or ADHD.
7. Skin issues such as acne, rosacea, or eczema.
8. Diagnosis of candida overgrowth.
9. Food allergies or food intolerances.
How do you heal a leaky gut?
In my practice, I have my patients follow a Gut Restoration and Healing Protocol which comprises a comprehensive elimination diet, removal of all toxic and inflammatory foods for a certain period of time as well as improving digestive function and using specific nutrients to heal and repair the lining of the gut.
So if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms leaky gut may be an issue for you, in which case a comprehensive Gut Protocol would be a positive next step in restoring gastrointestinal function and regaining back your health and vitality.
Bianca Hussey Naturopath,
Health Space Hornsby
