WHAT CAN CAUSE A ‘LEAKY’ BOWEL?
The inside of the bowel is lined by a single layer of cells that make up the mucosal barrier (the barrier between the inside of the gut and the rest of the body).
This barrier is effective at absorbing nutrients, but prevents most large molecules and germs passing from inside the bowel into the bloodstream and potentially causing widespread symptoms.
In some circumstances, this barrier can become less effective and "leaky". This leakiness in the gut allows large particles to enter the blood stream that will trigger the immune system to respond with inflammation. Intestinal permeability is associated with the development of auto-immune disease in animal studies and also linked to chronic inflammation in literature.
However, this mechanism has not caught up to conventional medicine although there are thousands of papers published on the subject. Intestinal permeability has also been associated with chronic depression and literature shows that when Intestinal permeability is addressed symptoms of chronic depression improve.
ENDOTOXEMIA
When someone has a leaky gut what can also happen is something called endotoxemia . This occur if you have a leaky gut alongside gut dysbiosis . Dysbiosis is the term used to describe and imbalance between our beneficial and non-beneficial bacteria.
When there is dysbiosis some gram negative bacteria can release Lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Lipopolysaccharides are bacterial toxins that cause inflammation and sickness if they reach the blood When they get into circulation they bind to receptors throughout our body and trigger inflammatory reaction. Endotoxemia has been found in literature to be associated with the development of auto-immune disorders , systemic inflammation, cardiovascular disease and even insulin resistance
COMMON CAUSES OF LEAKY GUT
Diet: Processed foods, excess sugar and fast foods are common culprits, Excesses alcohol. Gluten in particular is associated with gut damage.
Infections: Overgrowth of harmful bacteria, yeast infections, parasitic infections, and intestinal viruses can also cause leaky gut. .
Stress: Chronic stress increase our stress hormones cortisol which can degrade the gut lining and contributes to leaky gut.
Hormone imbalances: An imbalance in oestrogen and progesterone as well thyroid hormones can contribute to leaky gut. This is why it is not unusual to see women struggling with digestion at the menopause.
Autoimmune conditions: Leaky gut can contribute to the development of an autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis but those inflammatory conditions can also contribute to the development of a leaky gut.
Environmental toxins: As we are surrounded by toxins some of these have been found to break down the gut barrier. The way to counteract this is to make sure that we eat enough antioxidants.
Vitamin D deficiency: Sufficient vitamin D is vital helps preserve gut integrity.
Medications: corticosteroids, antibiotics, antacids..
Poor blood sugar balance : as seen in pre diabetic and diabetes
HOW TO ADDRESS GUT PERMEABILITY
Always find and address the root cause and underlying mechanism for the gut permeability . Refer to above.
Eat wholefood and an anti-inflammatory diet. remove foods that can be inflammatory and could promote changes in the gut flora. Among the most common are alcohol, processed foods, certain medications, and any foods that may cause allergies or sensitivities.
Overall work on the microbiome and address infections and dybiosis rebalance the gut microbiome. A stool test will give us some invaluable information on how your gut is doing and what may be at play.
Stop snacking and try time restricted eating will give your gut some time to reduce inflammation and repair.
Address your stress. Really work on this!
Eat a diet rich in fiber. When our beneficial gut bacteria fed on fiber they produce butyrate which is an anti-inflammatory compound has a beneficial effect on the gut lining keeping it strong and tight.
Some supplements such as glutamine ( as in bone broth )or colostrum, butyrate can be helpful but not unless you address the root cause for the leaky gut . Supplements will not heal the gut on its own.
During my 3 months Digestive reset plan https://gwengibson.co.uk/appointments-packages I will show you how to support the lining of your gut so that you are really getting to the root cause for your gut health issues for good.
You will receive:
A Comprehensive Digestive Stool analysis to assess the health of your digestion and your gut.
3 hours worth of consultations spread over 12 weeks
Detailed and tailored Nutrition, Lifestyle and Supplement recommendations. You will receive updated recommendations at the end of each session.
Recipes and meal ideas