A leaky gut is a condition in which the lining of the small intestine gets damaged. This causes undigested foods, bacteria, and toxic waste to leak through the intestines and flow through the bloodstream. As a result, these substances can lead to allergic reactions such as eczema, irritable bowel, fatigue, food allergies, migraines and much more. Damaged cells in the intestines are unable to produce enzymes, which is needed for proper digestion. This also causes the body to not absorb the essential nutrients, which leads to other conditions such as weak immunity and hormone imbalances.
A leaky gut can be difficult to diagnose and many doctors don’t pick it up. Which is why it’s vital to choose a doctor who listens to your symptoms correctly and takes the time to understand your symptoms. If you suspect that you might be suffering from a leaky gut, consult a specialist and make a note of all the symptoms that you are experiencing, along with your diet and other important information.
Causes of a Leaky Gut
Often at times, a leaky gut is caused by eating certain foods. These foods are typically gluten, soy, and dairy foods. A leaky gut is also caused by medication such as steroids, over-the-counter medications, and antibiotics. Other causes of a leaky gut could be sensitivity to certain foods.
Signs and Symptoms of a Leaky Gut
The following symptoms are usually signs of a leaky gut and if you experience any of these, its advisable to seek medical advice from your primary healthcare provider. Here are the signs and symptoms of a leaky gut:
- Poor immune system.
- Brain fog and memory loss.
- Skin problems such as rashes, eczema, acne, etc.
- Joint pain or arthritis.
- Mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and ADD.
- Fatigue
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Gas and bloating.
- Autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn’s, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
How to Heal A Leaky Gut
There are several ways that you can heal a leaky gut naturally and in addition to the treatment that your doctor gives you, here are a few other steps that you can take to aid in the healing process:
Cut back on unhealthy and toxic foods:
It is recommended that you cut back on unhealthy foods, ideally forever, but if you find this impossible, then at least try to cut back for at least three months while trying to heal a leaky gut. You should eliminate dairy products, soy products, gluten, sugary foods, processed foods, alcohol, and pesticide-treated foods. These types of foods aggravate the sensitive cells, which is why it is vital to avoid them.
Include more healthy fats in your diet:
Healthy fats are essential to healing a leaky gut and they are beneficial for feeding the cells that line the gut, which aids in the healing process. Some examples of healthy fats are coconut oil, ghee (clarified butter), olive oil, fatty fish, etc.
Include more greens in your diet:
In addition to including healthy fats, you should also include more green vegetables in your diet. Leafy greens will help with speeding up the recovery with a leaky gut. Green smoothies are also a sneaky and tasty way to get more greens in your diet.
Reduce your stress levels:
Stress has a huge impact on your gut health. Stress hormones break down the cells that hold your digestive tract together. There are a few ways in which you can lower your stress levels. The easiest way to do this is getting enough sleep and eat only healthy foods. Other ways of reducing your stress levels are to practice yoga and other breathing exercises, and also try and get some physical exercise. Physical exercise will do wonders for reducing your stress levels.
