These 5 steps to healing leaky gut will help you identify and address the root causes of your health issues. The condition known as leaky gut is a common cause of multiple health issues, such as IBS, headaches, weight gain, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, anxiety, depression, autoimmune conditions, and allergies. It can also be triggered by other factors such as stress and food sensitivities.
What is Leaky Gut?
The leaky gut is a part of the body’s digestive system that’s located between your stomach and small intestine. This section is where the food that you eat goes through the process of being absorbed into a form that your body can use. The large intestine is the final leg of the food’s journey before it can be thrown away. Before food reaches the small intestine, it’s important that it’s thoroughly broken down so that the nutrients can get through the walls and into your blood stream.
The walls of the small intestine are made up of cells that replace themselves every 72 hours. If you’re under psychological stress, or if your digestive tract is affected by stress, then the cells that make up the walls might not be as healthy as they should be.
The unhealthy cells in the walls of the small intestine can also allow food to get past the walls and into the space that’s under the immune system’s protection. This is where the body’s natural defense mechanisms are activated to fight foreign bodies. If the immune system gets alerted to the presence of partially digested food and proteins, it attacks these foreign bodies.
If the immune system gets alerted to the presence of food and proteins, it attacks these foreign bodies. This can lead to further damage to the walls of the small intestine.
Do I Have Leaky Gut?
In many cases, the inflammation caused by leaky gut causes digestive symptoms such as heartburn, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, and hemorrhoids. However, you might also start to suspect leaky gut if you have any of the following ongoing symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Achiness and pain, such as head or joint pain
- Menstrual pain
- PMS
- Unexplained headaches
- Allergies and/or allergic reactions on your skin
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Weight issues such as weight gain or difficulty gaining weight
- An autoimmune condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis
Five-Steps For Healing Leaky Gut
One of the biggest challenges with treating leaky gut is that it doesn’t always fit all. There are multiple causes and treatments that can be effective for each individual. This means that it is important to thoroughly investigate the cause of the condition.
> Step 1: Eliminate the Cause(s)
Getting rid of the causes of your illness can be done through the elimination of certain food items, such as those that can trigger gut permeation and promote the imbalance of beneficial bacteria in the small intestine. A simple IgA and IgG food sensitivity test can help you identify which foods to avoid.
> Step 2: Digest at Your Best
The first step in digestion is to break down your food so that it can be accessed by the body. If you can’t easily digest the food that you eat, it can cause inflammation and discomfort in your gut. Another important step that you can take to improve your digestion is to chew thoroughly and avoid eating too much carbohydrates. This will help prevent the body from absorbing nutrients efficiently.
> Step 3: Assess Your Stress
Studies have shown that stress can increase the likelihood of developing leaky gut. Besides avoiding certain food products, taking supplements, and engaging in regular exercise, it’s also important to address the various factors that can cause this issue. One of the most effective ways to reduce stress is by taking part in meditation and mindfulness. These activities can help improve the body’s ability to heal itself.
> Step 4: Ingest the Solution
Currently, there is a lot of research being conducted on the effects of certain nutrients on the development and functioning of intestinal cells. One of these is L-glutamine, which is an important fuel for the small intestine. We combine this with other anti-inflammatory herbs such as quercetin, DGL, and slippery elm to support a natural healing process.
We also add MSM, which is an important component of the healing process, as well as zinc, which is needed for healthy intestinal lining cells. Colostrum helps promote healing of the intestines. These nutrients can be taken as a part of a diet to help support the proper functioning of the small intestine.
> Step 5: Optimize Healthy Bacteria
There are many possible scenarios that can lead to the breakdown of the healthy bacteria living in your large intestine. For instance, you could have taken antibiotics to kill the harmful bacteria, or you could have accidentally allowed yeast to grow in its place. Or, you might have over-cooked certain fermented food products, such as yogurt, kombucha, and sauerkraut, which can lead to the development of a bacterial imbalance.
Having a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut is very important to maintain a healthy body. Unfortunately, maintaining a healthy intestinal lining is also very important to ensure that the best bacteria can thrive. Treating leaky gut and improving digestion are two of the most common steps that can be taken to improve the health of your gut.
- Warren Whitfield – Course Trainer, Acudetox Academy Online (Pty) Ltd