Leaky Gut Syndrome. Virtually everyone seems to be talking about it. And the image that it conjures up in the mind isn’t pretty. A gut that leaks?
It’s not so much that the “gut” as we know it leaks. It’s when the permeability in the intestinal walls increases, or in medical terms, intestinal hyperpermeability. This could develop over years without our knowing it, where the intestinal walls can develop perforations, allowing digestive juices such as acids to “leak” through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream.
Bear in mind that this isn’t strictly a diagnosis – it is considered a medical possibility when there is chronic evidence of digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps, constipation, diarrhoea, GERD, food sensitivities and intolerances, and several associated symptoms. This could be brought on by years of wrong food habits, or unknown food allergies (check out the this post on the elimination dietthat can be a good first step to figuring out trigger foods). Even stress can take its toll on a leaky gut. Medically, the leaky gut syndrome is not a definitive term. It is more of a catch-all term to encompass common digestive issues like the ones listed above.
When you’re chronically constipated, you know a headache or that all-pervading irritability will accompany it. When your bowel moments aren’t regular, repetitive straining can lead to hernia or piles.That ache deep in your bones that you feel, or the unexplained musculoskeletal pain like fibromyalgia? Leaky gut syndrome could be to blame. What essentially happens is that the mucous walls of the intestines become porous because of years of unawareness. Because of this, not only do acids and food matter leak into the bloodstream. Pathogens and toxins also make their way through. The lining of the gut is one of the body’s key immune systems, acting as a wall between what the body needs and what it doesn’t. A healthy gut helps to get rid of the waste without affecting the bloodstream. Unfortunately, a leaky gut does not.
Leaky Gut Syndrome Factoids
- Causes: A diet heavy in processed foods, gluten, refined carbs, and sugar; unhealthy eating habits and lack of whole foods; intake of fluids during meals; inadequate chewing; addiction to gut irritants like alcohol and caffeine; improperly cleaned food; chronic stress; an imbalanced diet that doesn’t comprise of clean protein and good fats; pesticides, mould and mycotoxins in food;
- Secondary Causes: For decades, the answer to acid reflux or bloating has been to pop an antacid. It is no longer advisable, say doctors. Besides, research now shows that dependency on antacids (scientifically called PPIs or Proton Pump Inhibitors) and Alka-Seltzer can also cause or exacerbate a leaky gut. Perhaps, these are one of the greatest contributing factors to a leaky gut. Since they disturb the pH balance of the intestine, they can make the stomach more acidic. Also, chronic stress gets a bad rap (as it should). Feeling like you are constantly under a cloud and worrying about it can also wreak havoc on your gut lining. Also, an affinity for NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin every time you have a headache or are under the weather. Unhealthy gums and gingivitis – these allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream
- Associated digestive disorders: Celiac disease; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis; Lactose Intolerance; Carb Intolerance: Gluten Intolerance – most of these conditions, I have covered in our post on anti-inflammatory diets.
- Common symptoms: Bloating; gas; GERD; hiatal hernia; constipation; diarrhoea; cramps; food intolerances
- Secondary symptoms: Fibromyalgia; irritability; auto-immune diseases like lupus, alopecia, CFS, diabetes, psoriasis, etc.; musculoskeletal issues like arthritis, chronic joint pain; memory deficiency; chronic candida infections.
Recommended Remedies
Instead of depending on medication, doctors and physicians now recommend following a nutrition and lifestyle protocol that falls in line with anti-inflammatory diets. The drill:
- A wholesome diet rich in whole grains, greens, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats like olive oil, nuts and seeds. In short, a meal you can fix yourself without adding any ingredient that comes pre-packaged or in a bottle.
- Drink water a half hour before or after meals, never with. This tends to dilute your digestive issues while eating, making your digestive system have to work doubly hard, thereby causing a strain on the intestinal walls.
- Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or nature walks regularly. Or walk your dog.
- Seek a world outside your head that doesn’t make you feel like you have to think or work too hard. Maybe a passion project that is only for you, something for creative release.
- Identify trigger foods and slowly eliminate them from your diet.
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle for life.
