How Leaky Gut Fuels Inflammation & Weakens Immunity

If you’ve been through various tests and still come up short on answers, you may have leaky gut syndrome.

Leaky gut is the result of a lack of intestinal enzymes that are necessary for digestion. Without the right enzymes to break down food, the body cannot absorb the nutrients needed to thrive.

This can lead to hormone imbalances and a weakened immune system. Additionally, larger particles not normally absorbed may ‘leak’ out of the intestines into the bloodstream.

The result is an autoimmune reaction, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal bloating, excessive gas and cramps, fatigue, food sensitivities, joint pain, skin rashes, and autoimmunity.

Causes vary and may include chronic inflammation, poorly managed food sensitivities, damage from taking large amounts of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), cytotoxic drugs and radiation, certain antibiotics, excessive alcohol consumption, or compromised immunity.

We can help you get to the bottom of your symptoms and start treating the cause at the root!

“All Disease Begins in The Gut.” -Hippocrates

Plagued by chronic inflammation?

When considering health, it's common to overlook the role of our gastrointestinal system, but you shouldn’t!

The gut contains 10 times more health-determining bacteria than the rest of the body which means it works very hard to protect us from infection, support our metabolism, and promote healthy digestion and elimination.

Three-quarters of our immune system comes from over 100 trillion organisms in the gut, which is why many health professionals are finally turning their attention to the gut when it comes to diagnosing illnesses.

The gut contains both beneficial and harmful bacteria, which makes up the gut flora. An unbalanced gut flora, called dysbiosis, leads to an increased susceptibility to intestinal permeability, which determines our overall state of health. Permeability refers to a process where molecules can pass through to enter the bloodstream. This process is essential for nutrient exchange.

Most of the population has unbalanced gut flora, which is primarily attributed to poor diet. If you experience symptoms regularly, you can work with a health professional to determine the cause of your condition and prevent further illness.

“The road to health is paved with good intestines!” -Sherry A. Rogers

Support your immune system by supporting gut health!

Many symptoms of leaky gut are brushed off as “normal” bodily functions, but these uncomfortable conditions can be avoided!

Do you suffer from any of the following?

-Chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas, or bloating

-Nutritional deficiencies

-Poor immune system

-Headaches, brain fog, memory loss

-Excessive fatigue

-Skin rashes and problems such as acne, eczema, or rosacea

-Cravings for sugar or carbs

-Arthritis or joint pain

-Depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD

You may be surprised to learn these conditions are linked to gut health!

Don’t be fooled by seemingly normal discomfort. If you suspect there is a deeper issue, we’re here to help!

Will you pass the test?

The symptoms of leaky gut can easily be mistaken for other health conditions, and while there is no specific test for leaky gut, other tests are available that can point you in the direction of better health:

Zonulin or Lactulose Test

This test determines intestinal permeability by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. Following the ingestion of the sugar’s lactulose and mannitol, urine samples are checked for the presence of these sugars. The amount of sugar present will indicate if leaky gut is an issue.

IgG Food Intolerance Test

This type of test will determine specific food sensitivities and is done through a blood sample.

Stool Test

A stool test reveals information about any pathogenic microorganisms, such as yeast, parasites, and bacteria that might contribute to leaky gut.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies Test

Damage to the gut lining impairs the absorption of nutrients leading to deficiencies. This test is done with a urine sample.

Talk with your healthcare practitioner to determine which tests may be right for you.

Diet, toxins, and genetics. Oh, my!

Modern life may be the primary driver of gut inflammation. There is emerging evidence that the standard American diet, which is low in fiber and high in sugar and saturated fats, may initiate the process of leaky gut syndrome.

Because leaky gut syndrome is an impaired gut lining, nutrients aren't properly absorbed, and the impaired lining fails as an effective barrier to protect against foreign invaders.

The exact cause of leaky gut syndrome has yet to be discovered; however, there are many possible underlying causes.

Genetic predisposition may be to blame in some people who are sensitive to environmental triggers that initiate an autoimmune response.

Diet is a significant factor when it comes to health and wellness. Certain foods have been linked to increased inflammation which can aggravate or worsen leaky gut syndrome.

Toxin overload from environmental exposures, high drug and alcohol consumption, or overuse of antibiotics may be to blame. Toxins weaken the immune system which can have a negative impact on the gut.

Determining which causes are attributed to your illness is key to correcting issues.

Let food be thy medicine

If you feel as though you could be suffering from leaky gut, changing your diet could be the treatment you need:

1. Remove any known food allergens and inflammatory causing foods from the diet. Common culprits include refined grains and oils, added sugar, and synthetic food

additives.

2. Incorporate more gut-healing foods into your diet, such as:

-Bone Broth

-Raw Cultured Dairy

-Fermented Vegetables

-Sprouted Seeds

-Omega-3 Fats

3. Supplements can help support your digestive health and protect the gastrointestinal lining.

-Look for a high-count probiotic to help replenish beneficial bacteria.

-Digestive enzymes can ensure that foods are fully digested.

-L-Glutamine is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Give us a call at [phone] if you’d like to discuss a personalized recommendation.

Supplements for a healthy gut

Are you missing anything?

Managing, healing, and preventing leaky gut syndrome is essential to overall health. Here is a list of supplements that can help.

Supplements to help with digesting food

-Pancreatic Enzymes help digest macronutrients (fat, protein, and carbohydrates)

Supplements to heal the intestinal lining

-Glutamine is an amino acid that can be depleted when the body is stressed

-Aloe Vera is very healing and helps reduce inflammation

-Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory herb that helps heal the intestinal lining

Supplements to help balance bacteria in the gut

-Probiotics to promote the growth of helpful bacteria and preventing the growth of abnormal bacteria, yeast, and parasites

-Prebiotics feed the bacteria living in your gut

For optimal gut health, you should also include a daily dose of fermented foods such as kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kombucha. These foods are prebiotic- and probiotic-rich and are known to lower inflammation, increase blood-sugar control, and improve antioxidant status.

Digestion starts in the mouth!

Digestive wellness isn’t limited to the intestines! Let’s talk about what happens in your body as you fuel it with food.

The digestive tract begins with the mouth, as we chew, our saliva starts breaking down food and releases enzymes to initiate the process of dissolving proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

Next, enzymes and acids in the stomach further break down food as it prepares to enter the small intestine. The large intestine continues to break down food even further. The small intestine absorbs digested molecules of fats, proteins, and starches. The gut lining is vital to disease prevention. However, it is vulnerable to external elements, such as harmful bacteria, fungi, yeast or other microorganisms, which enter the body through food

and water. The gut lining is under continuous assault from processed foods, sugar, food intolerance, stress, toxins, alcohol, alcohol, infections, and medications that irritate and inflame it.

Furthermore, inflammation can occur in the absence of adequate fiber.

“The part can never be well unless the whole is well.” Plato

We hope you have a better understanding of how the gut works, and the vital role it plays in your overall health!

Recap: Digestion begins in the mouth with the release of enzymes. When the gut lacks the necessary enzymes to break down food properly, the body cannot utilize nutrients. The gut contains 10 times more health-determining bacteria than the rest of the body, making the balance of beneficial bacteria crucial to health.

Diet is the first line of defense when it comes to correcting intestinal imbalances. When you can’t get the nutrients you need, supplementation is the next best option.

We wish you good gut health!

“Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” Edward Stanley