What is Leaky Gut and Why Should You Care?

Leaky gut conjures unpleasant imagery of intestinal contents spilling into the body. Unfortunately, that is pretty much what happens, and the results are a wide array of chronic health issues. When compounds from the intestines pass through a damaged gut wall into the sterile environment of the bloodstream, they can trigger various health conditions: chronic pain, autoimmune disease, fatigue, brain fog, depression, food allergies and sensitivities, seasonal allergies, migraines, arthritis, and more.
Leaky gut is also referred to as intestinal permeability, and means the lining of the small intestine has become inflamed, damaged, and overly porous. This allows undigested foods, bacteria, molds, and other compounds to enter into the bloodstream. Because these compounds don’t belong there, the immune system views them as toxic and attacks them. This in turn causes inflammation.
Leaky gut was once rejected by conventional medicine, but researchers have now linked it with many chronic disorders. The gut is our largest immune system organ. Studies have now linked linky gut with inflammatory bowel disorders, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes, depression, psoriasis and more.
It’s important to know what contributed to your leaky gut when you work to repair it as this will better your chances of recovery. However, diet is foundational regardless the cause. The most common cause of leaky gut is a poor diet.
Food intolerances also play a major role, especially a gluten intolerance. A leaky gut diet, also known as an autoimmune diet, has a strong track record of helping people repair leaky gut. Keeping blood sugar stable is also important as blood sugar that gets too low or too high contributes to leaky gut. This requires eating regularly enough so you don’t “bonk” and avoiding too many carbohydrates that can send blood sugar soaring and crashing.
Other common causes of leaky gut include antibiotic use, overuse of NSAIDs, drinking too much alcohol, an imbalance of gut bacteria, hypothyroidism, and autoimmunity. Many nutrients can help repair a leaky gut, but it’s important to also address what caused it. If you have an autoimmune condition, managing leaky gut can be a lifelong process requiring food restrictions and careful attention to lifestyle.
Our Feel Great in Eight program is directed specifically to treat leaky gut syndrome. Call Dr. Olivieri at (609) 886-8585 to attend a free Feel Great in Eight seminar.