The gut lining comprises a surface area of approximately 400 square meters and requires twice as much energy as the brain to function effectively. The condition of the gut lining directly influences overall health.

Conditions like Leaky Gut Syndrome can damage that fence, enlarge its holes, and ultimately allow harmful substances to cross. Despite its challenging symptoms, Leaky Gut Syndrome does not occur all at once.

Inflammation can Trigger Leaky Gut

There are varying degrees of the severity of Leaky Gut Syndrome which are induced by several inflammatory triggers including:

• Antibiotics
• Pesticides (i.e. glyphosate)
• Blood sugar imbalance
• Food allergies
• Infections
• Low stomach acid
• Menopause
• Pregnancy
• Sleep deprivation
• Stress
• Environmental toxins
• Too little or too much physical activity

Any of these factors can put the immune system into overdrive thereby damaging the gut lining. A damaged gut lining allows bacteria, large food particles, and debris to enter the bloodstream and be mistaken for potentially harmful microbes. Thus, the immune system launches an even more significant attack generating a buildup of inflammation within the gut that can ultimately spread to the joints, skin, thyroid, and also the brain.

This spreading inflammation is commonly referred to as chronic inflammation.

Genetic / Hereditary Connections to Leaky Gut Syndrome

Ongoing research is seeking to confirm a genetic or hereditary component that predisposes individuals to develop Leaky Gut Syndrome. For instance, one study found that 70 percent of people who were related to someone with celiac disease but did not currently have any symptoms of the disease, had higher intestinal permeability than people not related to someone with celiac disease.

This may be a genetic issue or possibly a hereditary one connected to the inherited microbiome via the mother’s birth canal as well as contact with all family members.

Also, a specific hormone called melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) regulates gut lining permeability. So, deficiency in MSH could also contribute to the development of Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Signs and Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome

Leaky Gut Syndrome manifests itself in different ways depending on the status of the immune system, as well as your degree of chronic inflammation and exposure to inflammatory triggers. For these reasons, signs and symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome vary and may include one or more of the following:

• Abdominal bloating
• Acid reflux
• Acne or eczema
• Adrenal fatigue
• Anxiety, depression, or mood swings
• Autoimmunity
• Bad breath
• Changes in cognition
• Chronic fatigue
• Crohn’s Disease
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Difficulty losing weight
• Fibromyalgia
• Food allergies and sensitivities
• Hormonal dysfunction
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Joint pain and swelling
• Liver or gallbladder issues
• Nutritional malabsorption
• Rashes or hives
• Seasonal allergies
• Skin fungus
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Ulcers in the small intestine

Leaky Gut Syndrome can also increase the risk for underlying conditions such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Candida Overgrowth, or Parasite Infection as a result of bacterial imbalance.

Diagnostic Tests for Leaky Gut Syndrome

If you have been experiencing any of the signs and symptoms listed above, then that is a good indicator that your gut health is not optimal. However, poor gut health does not automatically produce increased intestinal permeability.

The cells that make up the gut lining regenerate (or replace themselves) every two to three days. So, while treatment can be started to support the gut lining without confirming increased intestinal permeability, there are tests available to evaluate the degree of intestinal permeability. These tests include the Lactulose/Mannitol Test and the Antigenic Permeability Screen.

While these diagnostic tests do not offer a 100 percent accuracy in confirming Leaky Gut Syndrome, they can serve as invaluable measures of gut permeability, active immune response, and current level of inflammation.

Usually offered by independent laboratories, intestinal permeability tests are no more invasive or involved than the need to fast for a short period or drinking a sugar solution followed by a simple blood test. For more information or to schedule an appointment, consult an integrative healthcare provider.

How to Reverse and Heal Leaky Gut Syndrome – Reset, Replenish, Resist

The first steps to reverse and heal Leaky Gut Syndrome is to RESET the gut and digestion.

These following suggestions should be discussed with an Integrative health practitioner ¹.

For 3 to 5 days, cleanse the gastrointestinal tract by consuming organic broths, like bone broth, to boost levels of essential amino acids and nutrients. Consider adding oregano oil or peppermint oil to the broth for their antimicrobial effects of eliminating microbes within the gut. You can also drink herbal tea, raw apple cider vinegar diluted with water, or lemon water for the same antimicrobial benefit.

Meanwhile, consume ginger or peppermint to improve digestion along with slippery elm to strengthen the gut lining. Coconut oil throughout the day can serve as an abundant supply of clean fat and antioxidants thereby strengthening the body during the cleanse. Additionally, drinking pure aloe vera juice can also help heal the gut lining while promoting more regular, productive bowel movements.

Following a Cleanse, Replenish the Gut

After cleansing, replenish the gut by supplementing with gut-health promoting nutrients in the daily diet. See also our guide to Food for Leaky Gut

• Curcumin

Fighting inflammation is key to healing a leaky gut. A powerful antioxidant is appropriate like curcumin, the active ingredient from one of the world’s most famous spices, Turmeric. Curcumin supports the elimination of free radicals from the body and prevents tissue injury within the gastrointestinal tract. (Ask an Integrative Health Practitioner about consuming 1,000 to 2,000 mg of curcumin per day ¹ ). Turmeric can also be added to just about anything like meat marinades, stews, sauces, and even smoothies. Non-Dairy Turmeric Lattes are now a popular drink too.

• Ginger

Sometimes considered as effective as aspirin and ibuprofen in fighting inflammation, ginger promotes digestion as well as motility within the gut. Ginger has been used for ages to relieve symptoms related to heartburn, nausea, migraines, menstruation, and morning or motion sickness. However, ginger also has an antimicrobial ability which resists bacteria commonly involved in leaky-gut or gastrointestinal infection.

• L-Glutamine

Surprisingly not considered essential, L-glutamine is the most concentrated amino acid in blood plasma. Its crucial role in digestive tract maintenance and immune response regulation makes it easy to recognize L-glutamine’s ability to repair the gut lining while also functioning as an antioxidant. L-Glutamine is so effective at repairing tissue that it has also been used to enhance and improve nervous system function.

• Pea Protein

Sometimes the best treatment for Leaky Gut Syndrome involves an indirect approach, and pea protein is an excellent example of this. Pea protein is a high quality, vegan protein ideal for individuals with autoimmunity or food sensitivities. It indirectly improves the bacteria living in the gut by favoring the growth of healthy microbes and boosting short-chain fatty acid production. The latter reduces inflammation while healing the intestinal gut lining.