Leaky gut – it’s a term that gets thrown around a bit, but what exactly is it? And what can you do to reduce a leaky gut if you suffer from it? Well, read on, because here’s what you need to know about leaky gut syndrome, in a (healthy) nutshell.
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leaky gut, or Intestinal Gut Permeability, is the term used in naturopathic medicine when the gut wall has been inflamed for a long time due to poor flora conditions (known as Dysbiosis). This sets off a chain of events that result in the large intestinal wall becoming permeable (open) to the bloodstream, thus allowing the movement of particles of food, chemicals, and anything else that enters the large intestine, to enter the bloodstream. This process is called “translocation”.
When these particles enter the bloodstream constantly, the immune system can respond by producing antibodies to these particles of food and chemicals etc. Consequently, each time you then eat that food or come in contact with that chemical, your body then has an allergic response such as:
- Food allergy
- Hay fever
- Asthma
- Chemical intolerance
- Eczema etc
Auto-immune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, or Crohn’s Disease can also eventuate as a result of untreated leaky gut syndrome.
How to reduce leaky gut syndrome
Removing foods that can cause inflammation is a major step towards reducing a leaky gut. Such foods include:
- Processed foods
- Alcohol
- Foods that can cause allergies or sensitivities
- Some medications
By eating a healthy diet, you’ll be increasing the good bacteria in your system. This can lead to a reduction of the symptoms associated with leaky gut. Our TBR Immune Boosting Diet.
For more information on leaky gut syndrome, check out this blog Leaky gut: What is it, and what does it mean for you? from Harvard Health Publishing. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our Health Educators today.
