Signs of Leaky Gut Syndrome: Diagnosing and Treating your Leaky Gut. Do you suffer from unexplainable symptoms that span from acne and anxiety, to bloating and diarrhea? However, a leaky gut could be the culprit.

Leaky gut syndrome is a condition that affects your digestive tract, brain, skin and more. Therefore, if left undiagnosed and untreated, leaky gut syndrome can lead to serious chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases. It’s important that you become familiarized with leaky gut syndrome, the signs of a leaky gut and how to treat it properly.

What does your gut do?

For instance, did you know that 70% of your immune system is housed in your gut? Your gut is responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients that keep your body functioning properly. The gut keeps toxins, bacteria and undigested food particles from entering the bloodstream, while allowing small nutrients to pass through. These nutrients that the gut processes and releases into the bloodstream are essential to hormone balance, waste elimination, energy production, mental health and more. It’s easy to see why a healthy, functioning gut is vital to the body’s immune system.

What is leaky gut?

Leaky gut syndrome, also known as ‘increased intestinal permeability,’ occurs when the gut’s intestinal walls become damaged. Damaged intestinal walls fail to keep bad things like toxins, bacteria and undigested food particles, out of your bloodstream. These unwanted substances leak out of the gut and into your body, triggering allergic and inflammatory reactions from your immune system.

What are the signs of a leaky gut?

If you suffer from the following symptoms, you could have leaky gut syndrome:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Arthritis or joint pain
• Acne, eczema, rosacea or rashes
• Depression or anxiety
• Seasonal allergies
• Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac disease or Crohn’s
• Diarrhea, constipation, gas or bloating
• Migraines, brain fog, memory loss, ADD or ADHD
• Chronic fatigue

What are the causes of a leaky gut?

While some people may be genetically predisposed to leaky gut syndrome, the following factors can damage the lining of your intestinal wall and cause leaky gut:

• Stress
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Processed or genetically modified foods
• Food sensitivities
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy
• Infections, yeast, parasites
• Excessive sugar intake
• Intestinal parasites
• Medications
• Antibioitics
• Pesticides
• Toxins

How do you treat leaky gut?

It’s possible to heal your leaky gut by sticking to a strict, healthy diet. Remove or limit your intake of gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, caffeine and alcohol, as well as other refined carbs. Replace digestive enzymes if needed. Restore good bacteria by eating a diet of fresh, organic whole foods and adding probiotics and soluble fibers that contain the good bacteria your gut needs. You can also take anti-inflammatory supplements like fish oil and stick to healthy fats like coconut and olive oil as well as Vitamin D which can repair the gut. In addition to adopting a better diet, improve your gut health by limiting your intake of NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can damage the intestinal walls of your gut.

Above all, healing your leaky gut starts with improving your health! A clean diet and lifestyle can reverse leaky gut symptoms and lessen your risk of chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases down the line.Dr. Lorraine Maita is a recognized and award-winning holistic, functional, and anti-aging physician and author. She transforms people’s lives by getting to the root cause of illness using the best of science and nature. Her approach is personalized, precision medicine where you are treated as the unique individual you are. If you’re ready to start your journey to a healthier, happier life, schedule your visit today!