Leaky Gut

“Leaky gut” is used to describe an array of digestive disorders and symptoms that are associated with increased intestinal permeability. I think it’s important for people to understand how to recognize the signs and symptoms of leaky gut, because the earlier these symptoms are dealt with, the less chance someone has of obtaining a more serious illness.

A healthy intestinal lining allows properly digested fats, proteins and starches to pass through, while keeping out bacteria, foreign substances, and large undigested molecules. In this way, we obtain the nutrients we need from our food but are protected from outside substances that could potentially make us sick.

However, when the intestinal lining becomes damaged, irritated or inflamed, larger particles and foreign substances are able to pass through. These things go directly into the bloodstream, and our white blood cells are alerted that foreign invaders have entered the blood. The white blood cells begin to battle these invaders, and in the process oxidants are produced. Oxidants can cause unwanted issues all over the body, from sore joints to cancer. This is why antioxidants are such an important part of our diet!

When these unwanted foreign invaders enter the bloodstream, we have leaky gut.

Some of the more common conditions associated with leaky gut include acne, autism, Celiac disease, childhood hyperactivity, Crohn’s disease, eczema, food allergies or sensitivities, hives, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms associated with leaky gut can include abdominal pain or cramping, asthma, chronic joint pain, confusion or poor memory, gas, constipation, indigestion, bloating, mood swings, anxiety, low immunity, fatigue, and skin rashes.

Tomorrow I will touch on the 6 main causes of leaky gut syndrome. It is a very common issue and people can experience leaky gut on a very minor level or it can be very serious. However, the only way to heal leaky gut for good is to use nutrition and lifestyle changes to restore the integrity of the digestive tract.