A leaky gut can be described as a medical condition where the lining of the small intestine is damaged, resulting in the passage or leak of toxic waste products, undigested food particles as well as bacteria from the intestine into the bloodstream. The leak of these substances causes an autoimmune response by the body which includes inflammation as well as allergic reactions like irritable bowel, migraines, eczema, food allergies, chronic fatigue, and rheumatoid arthritis and so on. Due to a leaky gut, damaged cells in the intestines are not able to produce the required enzymes to enable proper digestion. This results in the inability of the body to absorb the essential nutrients from food, causing hormonal imbalances as well as weakening of the immune system.
Causes Behind Leaky Gut
According to the medical professionals, leaky gut is caused by diet in a majority of the cases. Some people experience a leaky gut when they consume dairy products, soy or gluten products. It causes the body to produce antibodies, triggering an immune response like headaches, diarrhea, joint pain, and fatigue. In some cases, the reason behind leaky gut can be the intake of steroids, antibiotics or even over the counter medication like acetaminophen or aspirin.
Signs That You Have A Leaky Gut
Some of the commonly seen signs of a leaky gut include:
- Constipation, bloating or gas
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Weakened immune system
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Excessive fatigue
- Brain fog, headaches, memory loss
- Skin rash
- Eczema
- Arthritis
- Sugar or carb cravings
- Joint pain
- Anxiety
- Depression, ADD or ADHD
- Autoimmune diseases
How To Heal From Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Once it has been established that you are suffering from leaky gut syndrome, it is essential to start the treatment process right away. It comprises of the following steps:
Start Elimination Diet
In order to start the healing process, it is essential to identify the source of the leaky gut syndrome. This is done by starting an elimination diet. It comprises removing all commonly known irritants like dairy, sugar, gluten, processed food and any food with chemical additives. In fact, many people experience instant relief as soon as they eliminate sugar from their diet. According to the experts in the industry, you need to eliminate a food from your diet for two weeks, then reintroduce it back and note down the difference. A food journal can come in handy in tracking down the different food you consume during this period. You will also need to avoid consuming alcohol during the elimination diet as it can burden the liver and also prevent your body from getting proper nutrition. In case you do not find any relief after following the elimination diet, you will need to get tested to check for parasites or pathogenic microorganisms that might be thriving in your gut.
Grow Healthy Bacteria
Once the leak has been patched up, it is critical to start growing a healthy layer of good bacteria in the intestinal tract. This will result in better metabolism, stronger immune system, and better absorption of minerals and also help the body make vitamins faster. The two important groups of beneficial bacteria are bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. You can grow beneficial bacteria in your gut by adding probiotics or microbe formulas to your diet. Fermented foods like kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, and yogurt encourage good probiotic to stick around in your gut. Besides helping with beneficial bacteria, fermented foods also lower inflammation, better blood sugar control and so on.
Lifestyle Changes
Once you have started on the healing process, it is critical to adopt lasting lifestyle changes to prevent falling victim to leaky gut syndrome again. In order to experience better gut health, you need to take a look at your food and take in its aroma before taking a bite. This helps trigger the cephalic phase of food digestion, which involves releasing enzymes responsible for breaking down the food. You also need to chew thoroughly and pay better attention to the flavor and texture of the food. Many people make the mistake of multitasking or eating in a rush to save a few extra minutes. Unfortunately, this can trigger the leaky gut syndrome. When you eat quickly, the body’s nervous system switches to a fight or flight mode, triggering an allergic reaction as well as inflammation. When you take the time to eat slowly and chew thoroughly, the nervous system is not triggered, allowing you to enjoy your meal in peace, while your intestine gets ready to break the food down and absorb the nutrients it requires.
Rebuilding The Gut Lining
The next step involves providing your body with the required nutrients to help it rebuild the lining of the small intestine that has gotten damaged. You need to include plenty of fresh food in your diet to help rebuild the damaged tissue. Medical professionals recommend eating a healthy and balanced diet that comprises of non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, whole-food fats, nuts, seeds, berries, cereals, and so on. In fact, some doctors also recommend a multivitamin supplement to help speed up the healing process. Food rich in omega-3 fatty acids helps reduce the inflammation used by leaky gut syndrome and also assist in rebuilding healthy cell walls in the gut.
By following the above-mentioned steps carefully, it is possible to find relief from the leaky gut syndrome and also help the small intestine to get a new lining which will help the absorption of nutrients from food, resulting in better health in the long run.
The key to healing leaky gut syndrome is by keeping a close watch on our diet and avoiding any of the food that you identified during the elimination diet that triggers the syndrome. Many people experience instant relief by avoiding the food that the body considered to be toxic. Fortunately, there are plenty of substitute products available in the market for people who are intolerant of specific foods. Experts in the medical industry recommend taking probiotics regularly to help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the small intestine. With several variants available in the market, you can easily find one that suits your taste buds.
