Leaky gut
Leaky gut - you have probably heard it before, but what exactly does it mean?
Leaky gut refers to when the lining of our gut wall becomes damaged, resulting in a gap between the tight gap junctions. This can lead to pathogens/toxins leaking into our gut and reducing nutrient absorption.
What is the purpose of our gut wall?
- Is it essential for the uptake of minerals, nutrients & water.
- It also prevents entry of pathogens & toxins and also reduces the loss of nutrients etc.
- If there is a ‘leak’ it can cause a vicious cycle with our health systemically, as our gut health can play a significant health on every organ & body system.
How do you know if you have a leaky gut?
The below symptoms are there to notify us that something isn’t quite right in the body;
- Irregular bowel motions
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Gas
- Abdominal pain
- Low energy/fatigue
- Constipation
- Brain fog
- Nutrient deficiencies
How does one get leaky gut? — Here are a few factors that can contribute to or reduce the integrity of our gut.
Triggering factors:
- Antibiotics
- Alcohol consumption
- Medications
- Poor diet/inflammatory food
- Stress
Okay, this is all great to know. But how does one heal the gut?
Well, there are certain steps that need to be taken to ensure you are on the right path - for example
- see a trained health practitioner - whether that be a Naturopath or Nutritionist - this allows investigative work to take place to find out underlying causes/triggers + they will be able to design an individualised treatment plan to heal YOUR gut. Because at the end of the day, everyones gut (& health) is so unique and what worked for the person next to you won’t necessarily work for you.
But - food is medicine & here are my go-to nutrients for gut health;
Glutamine
It repairs the tight gap junctions, boosts immune cell activity in the gut, prevents infections & reduces inflammation. It also soothes the intestinal tissue which can contribute to improving the integrity of the gut lining.
Zinc
Strengthens the tight gap junctions of the GIT lining which will reduce a leak of pathogens/toxins into the gut and plays a regulatory role in the immune system - which we know communicate quite closely.
Vitamin D
Plays a role as an immune modulator, anti inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. Low Vitamin D levels can contribute to IBS like symptoms due to a reduction of Vitamin D receptors which are found in the gut, this can reduce gut function such as motility causing bloating & digestive upset. Vitamin D also plays a role in intestinal epithelial barrier function and bowel inflammation.
Vitamin A
Studies have found that Vitamin A deficiency increases intestinal permeability (leaky gut), as it modulates inflammation and is an important component to the integrity of the GIT lining.
Removing/reducing triggers
Alcohol / Medication / Microbiome impacts