Leaky gut, aka “increased intestinal permeability,” happens when bacteria and toxins “leak” through the intestinal wall.
Our intestines have a lining that controls what gets absorbed into the bloodstream. An unhealthy gut lining can develop tiny holes allowing food, toxins, and bacteria to penetrate. Our immune system detects the foreign matter as a threat and causes inflammation.
What causes leaky guy? Modern living and the Standard American Diet (SAD)- low in fiber and high in sugar- can have a lot to do with damaging the intestines and causing leaky gut.
Symptoms can look like other disorders, such as depression or brain fog, which can leave people without an accurate diagnosis and, therefore, untreated.
Leaky gut may be associated with mental illness, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and autoimmune diseases.
A lot is still unknown about leaky gut, but what is known is that DIET can help! A good initial step in healing is to improve diet.
The idea is to get rid of the bad bacteria, heal the gut lining with good bacteria, and then feed the good bugs with prebiotic foods
The following dietary changes may help, but an integrative or functional medicine doctor would be able to personalize treatment if deeper gut healing is required
How to feed your gut:
-plant based foods
-fermented foods
-omega 3
-take a probiotic supplement
Avoid the usual suspects:
processed foods, sugars, wheat, antibiotics (unless necessary),alcohol, NSAIDS, common allergens (gluten and dairy)