You often see your doctors turn into a detective when they understand that you have leaky gut. Leaky gut isn’t just a diagnosis but a prognosis that needs to be addressed. Your gut or intestine is a part of gastrointestinal part which starts from your mouth and ends at anus. It does the most important job of processing the food starting from breaking it down, absorption and elimination. This is our biggest immunity system, which the research knows very little about.  

A healthy gut is a sign of ones’ health. However, an unhealthy compromised gut, can lead a path to all sorts of medical conditions.  

Now what is leaky gut? 

Leaky gut is possible intestinal permeability. Our intestines are lined with a covering which is more than 4000 square feet. It forms a tight barrier against toxins and harmful bacteria and facilitates absorption of nutrients into bloodstream. When this lining is damaged, the tight wall cannot act as a barrier and thus it allows harmful substances to pass through the intestine. This phenomenon is called leaky gut!  

Causes of leaky gut? 

There are 4 major reasons: 

• Bacterial imbalance – This is the major cause of leaky gut. It basically means imbalance in healthy and harmful bacteria. 

• Unhealthy diet – Protein found in unsprouted grains, excessive sugar and GMO’s harms the barrier. 

• Stress – Stress weakens immune system and can inhibit the bacterial elimination and can cause permeated gut. 

• Toxins – Toxins can increase the body’s inflammation and can contribute to leaky gut. 

Signs of leaky gut! 

Due to the similarity of symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose the leaky gut syndrome. Here are the signs that are associated with leaky gut! 

• Digestive issues like bloating, gas or irritable bowel syndrome. 

• Asthmatic symptoms  

• Nutrient deficiencies 

• Declined immunity 

• Frequent head aches and brain fog 

• Skin issues and allergies 

• Sugar cravings 

• Arthritis 

• Depression/ ADHD 

• Auto-immune diseases 

How to heal? 

• Best way to heal a leaky gut is to manage your diet and lifestyle. It is important to eliminate toxin dense food.  

• Identify your allergies, maintain a diet journal. Gluten, soy, dairy, refined sugar, caffeine and alcohol are some common gut irritants. 

• In addition to eliminating the food. Including healthy fats helps to heal the gut. Healthy fats include, fish, coconut and olive oils, avocadoes. These contain L-glutamine an amino acid which rejuvenates the gut lining. 

• Including probiotics balances gut bacteria. These include milk and milk products. 

•   Limit the refined carb intake. 

• Include fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, kombucha which helps in gut healing 

• Include high fibre foods like legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables which nourishes gut bacteria. 

Focusing on healthy eating and moderating stress can help in managing leaky gut effectively.  

References: 

https://www.healthywomen.org/content/blog-entry/10-signs-you-have-leaky-gut%E2%80%94and-how-heal-it  

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-leaky-gut-real#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8  

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326117#treatment  

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/leaky-gut-syndrome  

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/leaky-gut-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-for-you-2017092212451  

https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/11-signs-you-have-the-leaky-gut-and-how-to-heal-it/