You may have heard of the condition leaky gut in its relation to digestive dysfunction, but what actually is it? Leaky gut is a digestive condition that is characterized by increased intestinal permeability-- I know, it sounds gross. What is happening in a body with leaky gut is a whole lot of inflammation. Leaky gut affects the lining of the intestinal tract. When the lining of the small intestine is damaged, undigested food particles, and bacteria “leak” out of the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. These substances are seen as foreign by the body and can trigger an immune response. These reactions are inflammatory and sometimes allergic and can present as migraines, irritable bowel, eczema or other skin conditions, food allergies, and chronic fatigue, etc.

With leaky gut, enzyme production in the small intestine is often suppressed, which doesn’t allow the body to properly absorb nutrients. This can further weaken the immune system and throw off blood sugar regulation.

The small intestine is the fourth step in the digestion process where the majority of nutrient absorption takes place. Once food has been chewed and swallowed, it reaches the stomach where it is hit with gastric juices to become a paste-like substance. From the stomach, that acidic paste travels to the small intestine. In the small intestine, the paste is neutralized quickly and enzymes are released to complete the breakdown of carbs, protein, and fats. The small intestinal walls are lined with millions of villi and microvilli. These little guys are the gatekeepers of the small intestinal walls and have the very important role of absorbing nutrients into the bloodstream to be carried throughout the body for use.

Damage to the lining of the small intestine decreases the function of the villi and microvilli. When the intestinal lining is healthy, the villi and microvilli are very close together and thick. When leaky gut is present, the villi and microvilli have become spaced out and thinner. Food is not digested properly and those undigested particles, along with bacteria, are able to leak out of the intestinal wall.

Leaky gut can be caused by diet, in many cases.

Foods like gluten, soy, and conventional dairy products are very inflammatory. Especially to a damaged gut. Consumption of these foods can trigger the production of antibodies that produce an immune response, which results in unwanted symptoms.

Leaky gut can also be caused by medications such as antibiotics and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. These medications irritate the intestinal lining and damage the protective mucosal layers. This leads to inflammation that can result in intestinal permeability.

Signs and symptoms of leaky gut:

Chronic diarrhea
Gas, constipation and bloating
Nutritional deficiencies (protein, fat, minerals)
Chronic headaches or brain fog
Chronic fatigue
Skin problems like rashes, eczema, acne, or rosacea
Excessive cravings for sugar and refined carbohydrates
Arthritis and/or joint pain
Mood disorders like depression, anxiety, or ADD
Autoimmune diseases like celiac, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis

One of the most important parts of healing a leaky gut is eliminating the foods that are contributing to the inflammation. These can be gluten, soy, alcohol, caffeine, conventional dairy products, and refined sugars. We do this most accurately by working with the information the MRT-170 food sensitivity test gives us. In addition to removing the offending foods, some major gut repair needs to happen. Healthy fats like coconut oil and avocado, a good-quality probiotic, and l-glutamine rich foods like bone broth are all great options to add to a healing protocol. We also bring in specific gut-healing supplementation to make this process possible - it’s takes a lot of strategy to heal a history of disfunction.

A bio-individual healing protocol with the help of GI MAP is about as detailed as we can get to nailing down the root cause of your leaky gut. Is it an overgrowth of opportunistic bacteria? A parasite? SIBO? A GI MAP can provide that information! For clients interested in a GI MAP test I recommended a 6 month package that includes an initial intake, your GI MAP test plus interpretation of the results, and a customized protocol for you to follow with my support. Supplement recommendations will be given based on your GI MAP results, but are not included in the cost of the package.

Think healing your gut may be your next step in promoting your health and wellness?