What is leaky gut, what causes it, and what can you do about it? Thanks to decades of research, healing leaky gut is possible once you know you have it.
By now you’ve likely seen the term “leaky gut” floating around the Internet. In recent years, this condition has garnered more attention than ever before – and for good reason. While “leaky gut” isn’t necessarily an official medical term, it is recognized as a condition currently plaguing roughly 7 out of 10 people in the United States.
The problem? With over 200 possible symptoms associated with leaky gut – many of which present themselves simultaneously – it is difficult to pinpoint precisely. Additionally, leaky gut doesn’t show up on an endoscopy or colonoscopy.
Still, after dozens upon dozens of studies and decades worth of research, we do know that healing leaky gut is possible once you know you have it.
What Is Leaky Gut?
Luckily, contrary to its name, it does not involve the actual leaking of fluids outside of the body. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that similar to water leaking through a paper towel, for instance, leaky gut is when undigested food particles and toxins produced by some types of bacteria “leak” through (or really between) the cells lining the small intestine.
What should occur when food passes through the small intestine—the approximately 20-foot long tube that connects the stomach and large intestine—is a breakdown of the food and proper absorption of nutrients across the walls of the intestines.
However, with leaky gut, the cells of the intestinal wall that typically act as a barrier, are not as healthy and have spaces between them, allowing undigested food and other hazardous substances to get through.
What Are the Symptoms of Leaky Gut?
Unfortunately, some doctors still do not recognize the significant toll this can have on our bodies and therefore do not address the issue head-on. The result is that many patients continue to have unexplained symptoms and health issues, including:
- Fatigue
- IBS: Bloating and Stomach Pain
- Reactions to Foods
- Heartburn
- Anxiety
- Sleep Issues
- Autoimmune Issues
- Joint Pain and Headaches
- PMS/ Menstrual Issues and PCOS
- Abnormal Pap Smears
- Weight Issues
- Nutrient Deficiencies
As mentioned in the beginning, there are over 200 known symptoms of leaky gut, so while this list begins to touch on them, it is not nearly as exhaustive as it could be.
What Causes This?
Additionally, there are a number of reasons why leaky gut can occur. The most common causes I see are:
- Stress of all types, emotional and physical
- Medications, such as proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics
- Alcohol Consumption
- Gluten, in wheat, barley, rye, and spelt
- Pesticides, such as from non-organic food
- Overgrowing intestinal bacteria and/or yeast (more about this coming in another blog post)
Almost feels like there’s a cause everywhere we turn, doesn’t it?
It can be difficult to steer clear of leaky gut triggers; understanding what those triggers are for our individual bodies, however, is part of the solution.
That’s where I come in.
Because we know that the body replenishes the intestinal cells, when we eliminate what is causing it, and provide the right support, the body can heal leaky gut.
During a virtual consult, we will discuss the health panels that can help identify leaky gut and what is causing it for you. Then I guide you to make diet changes individualized for your body, so that you stop eating the foods that are perpetuating the problems, and start on the path to healing leaky gut.
I’ll also suggest digestive enzymes, nutrients, and herbs specific to your case to help the cells replenish and heal at a faster rate and if necessary, balance the healthy bacteria in your gut.
If you’d like to get started on your own:
- Sign up for Stress Remedy 21-day Program for a meal plan and supplements* to guide you to get started healing leaky gut (or get the Stress Remedy without supplements)
- Food sensitivity panel home kit, so you can identify exactly which foods you need to avoid. You can get it here
- Digestive enzymes to help digest your food, which helps heal leaky gut.
- Leaky Gut Support powder, for the nutrients and herbs that help intestinal cells heal faster.
- Probiotic Support, to support good bacteria and prevent leaky gut.
Coming soon, I’ll have a FREE guide to healing your leaky gut… NATURALLY… so stay tuned!
Most people who have leaky gut have no idea that is the cause of their pain. It can mean that even after seeing many practitioners, you’re left frustrated and feeling worse. You may have tried changing your diet, and still don’t feel better.
If left alone, leaky gut can be a dangerous condition, increasing your risk of diabetes, heart disease, dementia, osteoporosis, and cancer—but YOU have the power to make it right.
Submit a request to schedule your one-on-one consult, for either an in-office visit or on the phone, so I can help you start healing leaky gut successfully. I’ve seen all different severities of the condition and the ways it can affect your health. I even started healing leaky gut in my own body years back, and it turned my health around. I want that for you too.
You might also be interested in the Leaky Gut and Digestive Solutions Program I created, which includes consultations with me as well as the food panel I recommend and the Stress Remedy Program (we individualize the products for you).
If you would fix a leaky pipe in your house to avoid further destruction, shouldn’t you work to fix your leaky gut, too? Of course… and I’ll help you every step of the way.
–Dr. Doni
26th February 2019
*Please keep in mind that any and all supplements—nutrients, herbs, enzymes, or other—should be used with caution. My recommendation is that you seek the care of a naturopathic doctor (with a doctorate degree from a federally-accredited program) and that you have a primary care physician or practitioner whom you can contact to help you with individual dosing and protocols. If you ever experience negative symptoms after taking a product, stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor right away.