Leaky Gut – Their is much more to this than you might think –  Leaky Gut occurs when the small intestine gets damaged and particles begin to leak into the blood stream.  Bad bacteria, microbes, gluten and food particles that should never enter the blood stream.  This causes inflammation throughout the body and leads to malabsorption of nutrients.  This is a main reason why so many of us are vitamin and mineral deficient regardless of healthy food choices.  These deficiencies in turn cause gastrointestinal inflammation and this can turn in to food intolerances.  Food intolerances are the first sign of leaky gut.

Top Triggers:

 Gluten is an ingredient found in most grains, especially wheat, barley and rye.  It disrupts your digestion by damaging the microvilli of the small intestine, where we absorb our nutrients.  Gluten also makes your intestines more permeable, which can lead to leaky gut, food intolerance, immune problems, inflammation and an inability to absorb nutrients and make B12.  A negative result on a Celiac test does not mean you do not have non celiac gluten intolerance.  The best test is to eliminate it from your diet and see how you feel.  Some people have positive results within a couple days of eliminating gluten but others may take longer.

Besides gluten, processed sugar is a contributor in leaky gut along with dairy, GMO foods, and antibiotics.  Keep in mind you are what you ate eats, so if the meat and dairy you are eating is raised conventionally, it is loaded with antibiotics and numerous other hormones and pesticides.  (80% of antibiotics are given to livestock)  Along with poor diet, toxins and organ malfunction (removal of organs – gallbladder, appendix, etc) and emotional stress can contribute to leaky gut and leaky gut affects the whole body (skin, thyroid, adrenals, colon, joints, sinuses, brain).

Some people may have digestive issues and no food intolerances/sensitivities.  This depends on bio individuality as we are all unique.

The good news is once you get to the root cause of leaky gut you can help the healing by removing inflammatory food triggers and nourishing the gut lining.  If you are concerned or have been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition please get rid of the gluten along with dairy and soy.  80% of our immune system is in the gut and you are what you digest!

Next time –  Healing the Gut

Dr Izabella Wentz PharmD – Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – Root Cause

JJ Virgin CNS, CHFS

Dr Josh Axe DNM, DC, CNS