Leaky Gut Syndrome is at the top of many gut-related conversations these days.

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Interested Since 2009

As the topic has been on my back burner since about 2009, I thought I would finally spend some time researching and writing on it.

In 2009, I did a food intolerance test, and the results showed that I was intolerant to 22 different foods.

Some of the foods I was intolerant to included: egg white, milk, shrimp, lentil, malt, and celery. There wasn’t a rhyme or reason for any of them, and so I worked very hard at avoiding all of them.

What I would go on to learn in the years that followed was that I wasn’t necessarily intolerant to all of those foods, but instead that my gut had become leaky which caused my body to react to those foods and so many more.

For the record, I would not be doing my job in researching this well if I didn’t tell you that many doctors believe there is no such thing as Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Former National Council Against Health Fraud president Robert S. Baratz, DDS, MD, PhD stated,

Some fad diagnoses seem almost to be interchangeable. Large numbers of people are scammed in the same way for different conditions, by a variety of practitioners and unlicensed personnel. It is as though there is a “menu” of quack treatments that they can choose for a variety of alleged conditions depending on the patient’s susceptibility and pocketbook and the practitioner’s guile, gall, and greed. Source

Based on my research and life experiences, I would have to fully disagree.

But you can be the judge for yourself.

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome

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In the simplest terms, Leaky Gut Syndrome is when the cells that make up the lining of the intestinal tract become so inflamed that the gut lining becomes more permeable than it’s meant to be.

Eventually, the walls that line the intestinal tract become permeable to the degree that undigested food particles and gut flora enter the bloodstream. (Source)

11 Leaky Gut Symptoms

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Digestive symptoms, including gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea or a combination of them all
Seasonal allergies or asthma
Hormonal imbalances
An autoimmune disease
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia
Mood and mind issues (ADD, ADHD, etc.)
Skins issues like acne and rosacea
Candida overgrowth
Food allergies and intolerances
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Colitis, Crohn’s, Celiac, etc.)
Headaches

(Sources: 9 Signs You Have a Leaky Gut, What is Leaky Gut, Leaky Gut Syndrome: What You Should Know About Your Gut Bacteria)

How do you get Leaky Gut Syndrome?

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Proponents of Leaky Gut Syndrome mostly agree that it comes about from various things which damage the gut in general.

Alcohol and certain painkillers
Pre-existing conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, gut infections, diabetes, complicated surgeries and more
Sugar
Processed foods
Chronic stress
Toxins
Microbiome imbalance
Mold
Gluten

(Sources: How to Heal a Leaky Gut, Leaky Gut Syndrome: More Than Just a Gut Problem)

How to Fix Leaky Gut Syndrome

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If you accept the notion of Leaky Gut Syndrome (for the record, I do 100% because I’ve lived in and have not just done research on it), then here are some ways to fix it:

Diet.
Don’t even think you get out of this ahead without focusing on diet. An elimination diet of sorts is recommended and for sure avoiding things like dairy, soy, sugar, gluten, chemicals and other additives.
Begin a Food Journal.
I have practiced and preached this for years, but it’s one of the best ways to track food and mood and overall feelings from day-to-day to watch progress or a lack thereof. You could try a Bullet Journal. Or better yet, just grab my 90-day gut healing journal, which has already been done for you.
Limit the use of alcohol and NSAIDs.
Determine if you have an underlying condition or infection.Remember, don’t Google your health problems, find out the true answer for you.
Eat the foods that will help rebuild your gut.In particular, make sure you are getting enough Omega-3’s and when the time is right probiotics and prebiotics.
SupplementYou might need to supplement with things like digestive enzymes, glutamine, probiotics, digestive bitters, licorice root, quercetin, MSM, zinc, slippery elm,and more. You might also want to check out what I think is the best probiotic brand for leaky gut syndrome HERE.
Eat mindfully and without stress. Remember, so many times how we eat is just as important as what we eat. Stop eating in fight or flight mode.
Reduce overall stress.Here are 28 ways to reduce stress to get you started.
The 4R’s