Do you suffer from constant stomach pains? Bloating or discomfort? Leaky gut could be the culprit.
In their natural state the intestines are semi permeable and allow selective nutrients to be absorbed whilst keeping out pathogens and from entering the bloodstream. Playing a crucial role in maintaining the strength of the mucosal barrier are intestinal cells called tight junctions and also the gut flora known collectively as the biome.
If there is damage to either the intestinal cells or the biome the gut barrier will then become less selective about what it allows to cross the gut barrier and be absorbed into the bloodstream, causing an array of digestive symptoms.
Damage to the intestinal cells or biome can be caused by poor diet, high stress, gut bug, or medications.
In the early stage of leaky gut, the body’s ability to produce digestive enzymes and absorb nutrients is reduced. Partially digested food feeds bad bacteria and symptoms become harder to ignore. Intestinal cramps, gas, bloating, food sensitivities, constipation and diarrhoea can all be experienced.
If the initial leaky gut issue is not addressed further degeneration of the gut occurs and symptoms worsen again. Migraines, chronic fatigue, eczema, joint pain and the early stages of autoimmune disorders can occur.
Naturopathy can help. Probiotics do a fantastic job of recolonising your biome, but specific strands are the key. Glutamine is an incredibly important nutrient for your intestinal wall cells. Oral ingestion of glutamine allows your cells to increase their repair rate and decrease inflammation.
Food intolerance testing allows you to easily identify which foods you should avoid whilst healing your gut. Leaky gut testing done through a functional pathology lab keeps you motivated and confirms your underlying cause for your gut issues.
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