6 Signs You Have Leaky Gut and What to Do About It

Leaky gut is a condition that has only recently been getting much attention. Some doctors still don’t treat it like it's a real thing, which is a shame.

For those who are suffering from the symptoms, understanding what's causing the problem and learning how to treat it has been a huge relief that has restored their quality of life.

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Leaky gut may not be well known, but it is easy enough to understand when you know what is going on.

When we eat and drink, what we take in passes through our gut. The gut is built to absorb nutrients, so the cells that line its walls allow food molecules to pass through easily.

Unfortunately, for some people, some of the things that they eat cause damage to the gut cells. Such as antibiotics, too much alcohol, and even extreme stress.

When the tight junctions of the gut lining break apart, things like undigested food, microbes, and toxins can leak out into your blood system. When that happens, the immune system attacks the foreign particles. The end result is that you feel sick.

Could I Have a Leaky Gut?

There are several things that happen to people who have leaky gut. If you have one or more of these signs, there’s a good chance that you do too:

  • Thyroid problems
  • Constant stomach problems, including bloating, gas, or diarrhea
  • Food allergies, sensitivities or intolerances
  • An autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or celiac disease
  • Depression, anxiety, ADD or ADHD
  • Skin conditions like acne, psoriasis or rosacea

Though having any of these signs doesn’t mean you definitely have leaky gut, having two or more makes it a good idea to get tested.

A doctor can give you a test called a “lactulose-mannitol intestinal permeability test” to see if you have leaky gut.

What Can I Do to Fix Leaky Gut?

If you do have leaky gut, you need to take steps to heal it and to reestablish gut health. The best way to do this is to follow these steps:

  • Get rid of foods that make the problem worse. These include junk food and processed foods.
  • Get rid of foods that contain hydrogenated vegetable oils and excess refined sugars.

It should also be noted that although legumes and whole grains can be fine for some people with perfectly healthy guts, legumes and whole grains also are some of the foods that contain the highest amounts of gut irritants and antinutrients, including gluten in grains such as wheat.

For that reason, if you think you have leaky gut, grains and legumes should be reduced or avoided in order to let the gut lining heal.

  • Stop drinking coffee, soft drinks and fruit juices and replace with water or green tea.

Eat plenty of foods that are high in soluble fiber, which helps to feed your gut bacteria, including vegetables, nuts, and fruits.

Some other foods that are known to help heal a leaky gut are:

  • Probiotic-rich foods such as kefir, plain yogurt, kraut, kimchi, and kombucha, which contain a variety of strains of probiotics that are known to help heal the gut.
  • Collagen protein is also known to have healing properties in the gut
  • Glutamine is a type of supplemental amino acid that helps to heal the gut lining.
  • Bone broth is also known to have healing properties for your gut, and is also loaded with important minerals and collagen.
  • Exercise to encourage good digestion and detoxification
  • Use probiotics like kombucha on a regular basis

One of the best ways to help a leaky gut is to keep a diet and symptom diary to help you identify foods that you are sensitive to and eliminate them from your diet.

For one week, write down everything that you eat and how you feel throughout the day. At the end of the week, take a look and see what you learn.

The next week or two, cut out the foods that you suspect are causing a problem.

After a couple of weeks, try reintroducing those foods one at a time to see if they make you feel bad. Keep careful records.

The process takes time, but by following these steps you can figure out what foods are at the root of your problem and take them out of your diet permanently. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel!

Yours in Health,

Danette

P.S. I hope you will share this important health information with your loved ones and leave me a comment below.