The medical community does not recognize leaky gut as a medical diagnosis, but this does not mean that you cannot find help for your symptoms. In this article, we will explain what leaky gut is, what causes it and how you can relieve its symptoms.
What Is Leaky Gut?
The intestinal lining extends for 4,000 feet and prevents substances inside the intestines from entering the bloodstream. Sometimes, this lining develops holes or large cracks, and toxins, bugs or undigested food can escape and enter the other portions of the digestive system. When this occurs, it causes inflammation. The good bacteria that live in these areas also change, which causes issues in the digestive tract. This is known as “leaky gut.”
Intestinal Lining Erosion
When toxins, bugs or indigestible food escape into the intestinal tract, it reduces the lining’s ability to protect the intestinal system from erosion by bacteria, abrasive particles and chemical irritants. Bad bacteria begin to outnumber good bacteria, and erosive acids can damage the intestinal lining. Erosion of the lining leads to a lack of “intestinal permeability.”
Intestinal Permeability
Intestinal permeability is the extent to which the intestinal lining can control substances within the intestinal system. For example, the lack of intestinal permeability means that toxins and other substances can more easily enter the intestinal system. When intestinal permeability is high, it prevents toxins and other substances from entering the intestinal system and the bloodstream.
What Are the Leaky Gut Symptoms?
The medical community looks for symptoms of low intestinal permeability when they are examining patients for leaky gut syndrome. The symptoms appear after injury to the intestinal lining, and they include the following:
- Food has a lower energy content, resulting in lower energy levels.
- When bacteria increase, they begin to ferment, leading to gas and bloating.
- The patient experiences diarrhea.
- Loss of the intestinal lining causes painful digestion.
- There is a burning sensation in the gut due to ulceration.
Is There a Leaky Gut Diet?
The medical community recommends foods that promote the growth of good bacteria. Consume the following foods to increase your gut health:
- Nuts, including almonds, peanuts and nut-based milks
- Drinks, such as kombucha, water, nut milk, coconut milk, teas and bone broth
- Cultured dairy products, such as yogurt, Greek yogurt, traditional buttermilk and kefir
- Eggs, turkey, lamb, beef and chicken
- Herring, tuna and salmon
- Extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil and avocado
- Gluten-free oats, teff, sorghum, brown and white rice, amaranth and buckwheat
- Sunflower seeds, flax seeds and chia seeds
- Papaya, passionfruit, limes, lemons, oranges, pineapples, kiwis, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, bananas, grapes and coconuts
- Miso, tempeh, sauerkraut and kimchi
- Turnips, squash, carrots, yams, sweet potatoes and potatoes
- Zucchini, mushrooms, ginger, spinach, Swiss chard, beetroot, kale, carrots, arugula, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli
Which Foods Should I Avoid?
It is also important to avoid certain foods. That is because they cause inflammation, which increases the number of unhealthy bacteria. The following foods destroy your healthy gut bacteria and may cause diarrhea, constipation and bloating:
- Sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages and carbonated drinks
- Hoisin sauce, teriyaki sauce and soy sauce, as well as salad dressings
- Saccharin, sucralose and aspartame
- Safflower, sunflower, soybean and canola oils
- Ice cream, cheese and milk
- Candy bars, sugary cereals, potato chips and fast foods
- Pretzels, popcorn, muesli bars and crackers
- Pizza, pastries, pies, cakes, muffins and cookies
- Hot dogs, deli meats, cold cuts and bacon
- Oats, triticale, seitan, bulgur, rye and barley
- Couscous, wheat flour, cereals, pasta and bread
How to Heal Leaky Gut
The only way the medical community knows how to heal leaky gut is to diagnose the underlying condition that causes it. Physicians discovered that intestinal diseases associated with intestinal permeability are underlying conditions for leaky gut syndrome. Some of these medical conditions include celiac disease, irritable bowel disease and other digestive conditions.
Dr. Rajka is a functional medicine practitioner, and she treats several digestive disorders. She is now accepting new patient applications.
