What is Leaky gut?

Leaky gut occurs when the intestinal wall becomes weak and porous, allowing poorly digested food particles, bacteria, viruses and wastes to seep out of the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. Once in circulation, these pathogens can trigger inflammatory immune responses, cause damage to cells and tissues and lead to chronic disease.

Causes of Leaky gut

One of the main causes of leaky gut is bacterial imbalance in the intestinal tract, which creates an environment favoring harmful bacteria. The harmful bacteria can “eat away” at the intestinal lining, making it too permeable.

Leaky gut can also be caused by poor digestion and chronic constipation, which results in wastes remaining in the intestines too long and allowing harmful bacteria in feces to irritate the gut wall.

Symptoms of Leaky gut

The most common symptoms of leaky gut include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea and fatigue

Long-term effects of Leaky gut

If left unchecked, leaky gut can lead to chronic inflammation throughout the body due to the impact of the pathogens in the bloodstream. As such, long-term effects of leaky gut can include asthma, anxiety and nervousness, mood swings, chronic joint or muscle pain, headaches, skin issues, thyroid problems and weight gain. It also puts an added burden on the liver.

In addition, because of the impact on the immune system, leaky gut can lead to food sensitivities, lowered immune function, and may contribute to autoimmune diseases (including Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis).

Natural remedies for Leaky gut

Food combining has been shown to help promote more efficient digestion, which in turn can help counteract two of the main causes of leaky gut—poorly digested food molecules and constipation. Food combining centers on pairing foods together that require similar digestive enzymes to ease the overall burden on the GI tract and promote better digestion.

Super Shield Plus Multi-Strain Probiotic Formula can help ease gas and bloating, promote more efficient digestion, prevent constipation and support a healthy intestinal flora balance.

Digestizol Max Digestive Enzyme Formula can help support the body’s own enzymes and pave the way for more complete digestion.

Optimal Yeast Support Blend can help counteract harmful bacteria and yeasts in the gut and support a strong microbiome.

Other helpful measures include reducing stress; avoiding NSAIDS, steroids, birth control pills, acid reducers and antibiotics; and limiting sugars and refined carbohydrates.