This topic has come up so many times in conversation over the past few weeks that I thought I should write about it. Leaky gut is acknowledged by many in the medical community but is very much still a grey area. Our gut is our biggest immune system organ, and it is also the organ we know the least about. Many complex processes take place in your intestines, and many bacteria (good and bad) reside there. With so many factors involved, it is hard for medical professionals to pinpoint what exactly happens when someone has a leaky gut.

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Like I said above, no one knows for sure. What we do know is that people with autoimmune disease are more likely to suffer from it. I experienced Leaky Gut Syndrome for years until I found the proper diet and supplements. One of the theories is increased intestinal permeability. Your small intestines are made up of tightly packed junctions. These junctions prevent certain foods from sneaking into the blood stream. If these junctions are stretched or damaged they may let in molecules that would usually be expelled. This is very common in crohn’s and celiac disease. These molecules get into the blood stream and wreak havoc on the body.

What are some of the symptoms of leaky gut?

Symptoms associated with leaky gut are bloating, food sensitivities, gas, sore joints, fatigue, and in some cases depression. Left untreated it can cause even more damage than the above symptoms. The connection between the gut and the brain is being studied in people who have Autism and mental illness but we still know very little. We are slowly acknowledging that food plays a bigger role in our health than we first thought.

What is the treatment for leaky gut?

Treatments are varied due to the fact the exact cause has not been found. Eliminating high inflammatory foods is usually one of the first steps. Giving the gut time to heal without the stress of breaking down high inflammatory foods is important. It is also important to lower any outside stress, and taking the time to rest and regenerate. Some health professionals will recommend a probiotic and digestive enzyme supplement to aid the digestion process. Often an elimination diet is used to help pinpoint what food intolerance’s have developed. A whole food nutrient dense diet can go a long way to relieving symptoms.