Do You Have Leaky Gut?
While some fences are effective even when you can see through them, others are only effective when they form a full barrier. This is the case for the junction between your small intestines and your bloodstream. When this internal fence isn’t tight, you have what is called “leaky gut” and this can lead to downstream dis-ease. Do you have leaky gut?
What Is Leaky Gut?
Our gut barrier has the job of letting nutrients into the body while keeping toxins, viruses, parasites and unfriendlies out. When its integrity is impaired, harmful organisms or substances can leak into the bloodstream. Hence the term leaky gut.
Not only does this expose your body to potential hazards, but undigested food can also slip into the bloodstream. Your immune system doesn’t recognize these particles and mounts an immune response which can raise inflammation. Allergies, asthma, arthritis, IBS, Psoriasis, Eczema and autoimmune activations are all connected to leaky gut.
What Are The Most Common Causes?
The Standard American Diet – high in processed foods and sugar, while low in nutrients.
Chronic Stress – the steady release of stress hormones causes inflammation and reduces nutrient absorption.
Medications – including protein-pump inhibitors, oral birth control, antibiotics, and pain relievers are just a few.
Food Sensitivities – prompted by continued immune response to undigested food that slips into the bloodstream. Gluten, dairy, eggs, peanuts and soy are common reactive foods, but there can be others.
Nutrient Deficiencies – there are several key nutrients that help protect the mucosal lining of the stomach and the intestines from damage.
Imbalance of Gut Bacteria – when the harmful bacteria in your gut outnumbers the beneficial bacteria, the gut barrier can be damaged.
Lest you feel a bit overwhelmed, have no fear because ….
Fences Can Be Mended!
Just as the fences around our yards can be mended, so can our internal fence. Reduce the hazards that are working against you and provide the building blocks needed. Your body can bounce back.
Change your diet. Eat more foods that don’t come in packages. These will provide the nutrient building blocks your body needs for overall function and healing
Modulate the stress in your life. Take a break, breathe, go for a walk outside. There are so many ways to release the stress and calm your body.
Evaluate food sensitivities. This can be done through an elimination diet (I’m offering a food-based detox in a few weeks) or testing. I can help with either of these options.
Explore medication alternatives. Rather than masking the symptoms with medications, I can help you resolve the root issue so the medication isn’t needed.
Replenish beneficial bacteria. Even one round of antibiotics can damage your microbiome. Taking a probiotic supplement and eating fermented foods can help restore the balance.
You’re Not Alone
Many are dealing with leaky gut. You now have the benefit of awareness and can do something about it. Don’t continue to suffer from a growing number of symptoms without seeking the root cause. Your body can heal when you minimize what is working against it and maximize the needed building blocks. I can help you evaluate what is at play and turn things around!
You will be amazed at how good you can feel in your body when you mend the internal fence and feed it well!
