Although quite common, most doctors fail to diagnose gut leakage syndrome. Leaky gut if ignored and not treated properly can lead to a range of other medical conditions. This article helps you recognize the signs, causes, and various treatment options for gut leakage syndrome.
In This Article:
- What is Gut Leakage Syndrome?
- Complications of Leaky Gut Syndrome
- What Causes Leaky Gut?
- Signs you have a Leaky Gut
- Treatment for Leaky Gut Syndrome
All You Need to Know about Gut Leakage Syndrome
What is Gut Leakage Syndrome?
The Gastrointestinal tract mainly comprises of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. The enzymes present in the stomach and intestine play a role in the breakdown of nutrients and their absorption into the body for growth, energy, and repair. Tight openings in the intestine allow nutrients and water to pass into the bloodstream.
The leaky gut syndrome is a digestive disorder that affects the lining of the intestine. In leaky gut syndrome, the openings or gaps of the intestine to become wider and allow the passage of bacteria and other harmful toxins to pass into the bloodstream.
Complications of Leaky Gut Syndrome
The leaky gut syndrome can give rise to varied other medical conditions such as
- Crohn’s disease
- Food allergies
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Liver diseases
- Diabetes
- Celiac disease
What Causes Leaky Gut?
Leaky gut is mainly caused due to the diet. Certain ingredients in food such as gluten and soy when consumed every day can be treated like foreign particles in the body which in turn leads to the immune system fighting and producing antibodies. The leaky gut syndrome can also be caused due to medications like pain reliever, anti-inflammatory substances, steroids, and antibiotics that can damage the mucous layers and irritate the intestinal lining.
Signs you have a Leaky Gut
The following signs and symptoms may indicate that you are suffering from the leaky gut syndrome
- Skin issues such as eczema or acne
- Hormonal imbalances such as PCOS or PMS
- Joint pain
- Weak immune system
- Digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, diarrhea, or bloating
- Respiratory allergies like asthma
- Frequent headaches
- Memory loss
- Autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s, celiac disease, or rheumatoid arthritis
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Anxiety and depression
Treatment for Leaky Gut Syndrome
The leaky gut syndrome can be easily reversed by diet and lifestyle modification. The treatment of leaky gut syndrome works on a 4R program which is as follows
Remove
Eliminate the bad. The main target is to get rid of substances that adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract.
Replace
Once you eliminate the bad, you must replace it with the good. Include back the essential ingredients for proper digestion and absorption.
Re-Inoculate
Good bacteria are very essential for the gastrointestinal tract. To heal leaky gut syndrome, it is important to restore a healthy balance of good bacteria.
Repair
To help the gut repair or heal itself, you must provide all the essential nutrients. One such nutritional supplement is the L-glutamine which helps repair the lining of the gut wall.
The following dietary changes can further help improve gut health
- Eat foods rich in prebiotic fiber such as whole grains
- Avoid sugar and other artificial sweeteners
- Reduce the intake of eggs, dairy, and meat
- Eat more probiotics to boost the growth of good bacteria
The following lifestyle changes help improve digestion and maintain a healthy gut
- Reduce stress
- Avoid the use of anti-biotics
- Exercise regularly
- Sleep well
It is important to diagnose and treat leaky gut syndrome in a timely manner. The best way to avoid leaky gut syndrome is to invest more in improving gut health. A healthy diet and lifestyle will promote good gut health in the longer run.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5440529/
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/leaky-gut-syndrome#1
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326117.php
