Today I want to provide my answer to the question, “How long does it take to heal leaky gut?”
How Long Does it Take to Heal Leaky Gut
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The answer is I have no clue. And that’s not just to cover my back or that I’m not educated on the topic. I am highly educated on the topic.
The reason it’s my answer is because that’s the truth. I have never worked with a high-level doctor (traditional or non) who has said to me,
Do this. Take these medications. Add in these supplements. Follow this diet. And in 4 months you’ll be healed.
If you have heard that from a doctor, they are lying to you.
The only answer that will always work is, “I have no clue.” And the other answer that can also work is one of these:
- However long it took you to get and stay sick. Expect that for recovery.
- However long it took you to get and stay sick. Then double that. Expect that for recovery.
I have heard them both.
Guess what? Everything above was true in my case.
However, HERE is how to get there faster.
And if that’s still not a good enough answer and/or not working for you, then trust me, I know what your next question is.
How do I troubleshoot your standard leaky gut meal plan as it’s laid out in The Leaky Gut Meal Plan?
You’re asking this because you have read and understand how to heal leaky gut fast. And you’ve also been following my meal plan to a ‘T’ in The Leaky Gut Meal Plan.
However, your symptoms are still persisting.
So let’s do a little troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting the Leaky Gut Meal Plan
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You’re not eating the right things in between meals
The meal plan has three main recipes per day. That is not enough. I have been clear about that already in The Leaky Gut Meal Plan is Not a Diet. However, if this is your first “go” at a gut-healing diet, you might not be certain about what else to eat. Thus, the things you choose are not helping your gut.
Maybe you’re eating a lot of raw veggies in between meals? Or packaged goods? Maybe you’re eating things you’ve heard are healthy, but aren’t really optimal for leaky gut healing (i.e. Sherbet ice cream or oatmeal).
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You’re not resting and digesting
Perhaps it’s not what you’re eating in between meals but that you’re eating in between meals. If you take the meal plan literally and eat just one serving of the breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’re likely to be seeking snacks all day long. In doing so, you may not be allowing enough time for your digestive system to rest. Eat more per sitting, then just rest.
Allow at least 90-120 minutes in between meals. It’s known as meal spacing. When you do it at night through the next morning sometime, that’s known as intermittent fasting. Both could be the help you’ve been looking for.
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Lifestyle was not factored in
Even though it’s discussed in the book, I have found that people will avoid the lifestyle part and write it off as “not important.” Tough love here. It’s very, very important. And if you’re doing all the other things, this might be your golden ticket to healing. Oftentimes, you can’t diet harder. Think about the primary foods. I’m serious. Stop right now and really think about them. BTW – the number one tool you can have for this entire list, troubleshooting, and your journey is the 90-day gut healing journal.
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Nightshades
The meal plan includes many nightshades because they are “healthy’ for most. For a certain population, though, they are damaging and inflammatory; with a leaky gut, that might be you. Nightshades are things like tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes (white, not sweet potatoes). If you joined the 28-Day Leaky Gut Program, you have this list. Watch for them.
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Inadequate stomach acid and high protein meals
Because I believe in meat and protein as part of a gut-healing protocol, you’re likely eating it on this plan (and any leaky gut meal plan for that matter). High-quality meat, in and of itself is not the problem. In fact, most gut-healing protocols emphasize it. The problem is if you’re eating those high protein meals and you have low stomach acid (but don’t know it). HERE are all the problems that can arise with low stomach acid. If you’ve noticed any of them, that could be your culprit (or part of it). HERE is an at-home stomach acid challenge to consider.
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Eggs
According to the Medical Medium, you might die if you eat eggs. Seriously. He states, “The biggest issue with eggs is that they’re a prime food for cancer and other cysts, fibroids, tumors, and nodules.” I don’t believe that and I’m not into fear tactics. However, research has proven that the egg white can be particularly troublesome in autoimmune inflammation because they can permeate the gut lining and cause the immune system to react even more.
Dr. Sarah Ballantyne says, ” The specific protease in egg whites that those of us with autoimmune disease (or severe allergies or severely leaky guts) need to be concerned with is called lysozyme. And very importantly, as the lysozyme complex travels (largely intact) through the environment of our gut, lysozyme can also bind bacterial proteins from the bacteria normally present in our digestive tract (like the gram-negative E. coli!).”
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Eating too many fermented foods
In addition to the high histamine levels, those who have SIBO or Candida overgrowth might react negatively to fermented foods. Fermented foods could potentially feed any bad bacteria and yeast, thereby worsening the overgrowth.
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Consuming histamines
Having a leaky gut can cause low DAO, which is the main enzyme responsible for breaking down ingested histamine. If you’re unable to break histamines down, they might be making you unable to fully heal. Some common higher histamine foods on the meal plan include: fish, eggs, bone broth, and fermented foods. Click HERE to learn all about histamines.
You just need more time
Finally, you’ve hit day 28 and you’re feeling better, just not the best. Guess what? That might be completely normal. See the beginning of this post for length of time with healing.
If you’ve already made progress and strides forward, keep on the path, consider all other numbers above, and don’t give up. Giving up now means that you’ll eventually need to start all over. I did it for years. Consistency is something most struggle with; those who don’t, typically find what they are working hard towards.
Don’t give up. Seriously.
Anytime you follow a meal plan, all it means is that you have the template. Meal plans aren’t miracles. They aren’t magic. And they certainly aren’t one-size-fits-all.
Take this post into consideration and dive back into your copy of The Leaky Gut Meal Plan.
And then: consider doing my 28-Day Leaky Gut Program e-course.
Do you have more questions? Feel free to ask in the comments below.
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Xox,
SKH
You will heal. I will help.
