Leaky gut occurs when the tight junctions of the gut lining loosen, causing various unwanted food pathogens and toxins to leak through the gut lining into the bloodstream, causing an inflammatory response in the body.

   When there is inflammation in the body, a protein in the gut responsible for keeping the tight junctions of the gut lining intact called Zonulin opens these tight junctions. Larger particles enter the bloodstream This is known as intestinal permeability.

   Leaky gut syndrome can cause countless symptoms. It generates inflammation as the body reacts to unknown and unwelcomed substances in the bloodstream. It may also cause people to experience severe stomach bloating and some may also develop newfound sensitivities to a host of foods. Some are chronically exhausted or may have issues manifest on their skin. Symptoms can vary widely across patients.

   The walls of the intestines are built to allow water and nutrients to pass through to our bloodstream. The loosening of our gut’s lining largely happens in the small intestine. We know that most illness starts in the gut.

   Symptoms of leaky gut include: Asthma; autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, lupus or psoriasis; brain fog; chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia; digestive problems, including bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome; insomnia; joint pain; migraines; mood disorders, including ADD, ADHD, anxiety or depression; food allergies or intolerances; hormonal imbalances, including PMS or polycystic ovarian syndrome; seasonal allergies; skin problems, including acne, eczema and rosacea; and weight gain.

There are many potential causes of leaky gut syndrome. There are six potential leaky gut causes you should be aware of.

   Poor Diet: The Standard American diet is known to be rich in fried foods, omega-6 fatty acids, processed foods and sugars, processed meats and cheeses and low in fiber has been shown to cause leaky gut. An elimination diet minimizing foods such as gluten, dairy, corn, soy, alcohol and processed sugars is best to find which foods may be inflammatory for a specific individual. Food allergies or sensitivities can also cause inflammation and loosen the tight junctions of the gut lining.

   Nutrient Insufficiency and Low Stomach Acid: If we aren’t absorbing the foods we’re eating, this can cause inflammation in the gut. This can range from not chewing food well enough to having low levels of stomach acid. Pathogens can sneak into the gut that usually would be killed off by a low stomach pH.

   Toxin Exposure and Overload: We are exposed to chemicals every day in our homes, our personal care products and in our environment. Various chemicals can wreak havoc on our gut lining.

   Systemic Disease, Infections and Dysbiosis: These can cause the gut lining to loosen, causing leaky gut, which is why we have to keep our immune system healthy and strong and support the gut in many disease states.

   Stress: This can cause our body to go into fight or flight mode, reducing our body’s ability to fight off disease and infection. It can also reduce gut barrier function and deplete stomach acid levels.

   Medications: Acid blockers, proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics can all contribute to leaky gut. Using probiotics can help balance out the gut flora, especially if antibiotics are indicated.

   A review paper published in 2017 in the Journal Frontiers in Immunology stated: “Multiple diseases may arise or be exacerbated  due to leaky gut, including autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, autoimmune hepatitis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.”

   Autoimmune diseases are diseases of the immune system. They can occur in people who have a genetic predisposition and in women at a much higher rate than men.

   Eighty percent of the immune system is located below the gut wall. When a leaky gut develops, toxins, bacteria and undigested food particles penetrate the gut wall and cross the intestinal barrier. Food intolerances are developed as a consequence of leaky gut.

   An over-acting immune system often gets confused and begins attacking the body’s own tissues, creating the damage that is characteristic to autoimmune disease. Gluten and dairy are common triggers of autoimmune thyroid conditions.

   While we can’t change our genes, we can reverse an autoimmune condition by removing the trigger(s) that contributed to its development and my healing intestinal permeability. Many gut-related issues, such as pathogenic infections, have been implicated as triggers in cases of autoimmunity, as well as contributors of a leaky gut.

   Here are some ways to heal the gut.

   Remove Gluten: This may be the sole root cause. It has been estimated that gluten may be a trigger for up to 20 percent of individuals with an autoimmune condition.

   Remove Foods Causing Food Sensitivities: Difficult-to-digest foods are more likely to become food sensitivities for us. Food sensitivities differ from allergies in that they activate separate branches of the immune system and may occur for a variety of reasons. Identifying and removing foods that you are sensitive to can help reverse leaky gut.

   Remove Parasites: It has been estimated that 30-70 percent of Americans may be infested with parasites. Stress makes us more susceptible to parasites.

   Test For Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: The small intestine is supposed to contain relatively minimal amounts of bacteria. Overgrowth can occur and can be caused by antibiotic overuse, low stomach acid, bowel motility issues or poor diet.

   Remove Fungal Infections: The fungus Candida has been implicated in autoimmune disease and food sensitivities. It is important to remove those things that are causing your body stress, including antibiotics, heavy metals, negative thoughts and emotions and pesticides and preservatives.

   Replace: When the gut is inflamed it does not secrete digestive enzymes to digest foods properly or absorb nutrients and foods properly. You can aid in your healing process by replacing digestive enzymes required for proper nutrition.

   Reinoculate: You can support your digestive system by consuming probiotic foods or supplements that contain the friendly intestinal bacteria. Some good foods include: kefir, kimchi, kombucha, kyass, sauerkraut, artichokes, asparagus, chicory, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, leeks and onion. Eating a wide variety of healthy, ideally organic food, is what the environment in our gut needs to thrive.

   Repair: You can help your gut lining repair itself by supplying your digestive system with key nutrients that may be missing in a leaky gut. They include: antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E), collagen, fish oil, glutamine and zinc.

   Rebalance: Your lifestyle choices make a very big impact on your gut health. Find healthy ways to manage stress and negative emotions, meditate, exercise and get adequate sleep.