What is leaky gut? How do you know if you have it?
The correct term is Intestinal Hyper-permeability, but we can just stick to “leaky gut” for now as this is probably a term you have heard of but is still largely misunderstood
Our gut is lined with trillions of cells that are closely linked together by “tight-junctions”; think of a row of bricks creating a wall and the mortar holding the bricks together are these tight junctions. Leaky gut occurs when there is a loss of gut barrier function and the tight junctions between gut cells lose their integrity and come apart. This creates little gaps that food proteins, toxins and even bacteria inside our intestine can “leak” through and initiate inflammatory and immune responses. This is how auto-immunity can occur as the immune system overreacts to the presence of ‘proteins’ that have leaked through into the blood stream that shouldn’t be there and can end up turning on our own proteins.
Non-coeliac gluten-sensitivity
The “godfather” of Leaky gut and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, expert Dr Alessio Fasano is the head of research at the University of Harvard Celiac Research Centre, and is responsible for discovering the gluten/leaky gut connection. He explains in his recent articles that leaky gut occurs alongside two other factors; a change in bacteria diversity in the mucosal layers of the gut and the presence of low grade inflammation from the innate immune system initiated by the presence of certain proteins. Functional stool testing provides me with realtime information of what is going on inside the gut so that I can help my clients with laser-targeted approach. You can find out more about my Gut Transformation Package to see if this would be a good fit for you, or book a call with me to discuss your options and next best steps.
How I reversed my own Autoimmune Disease
Some of the symptoms of leaky gut can be wide-reaching from brain fog, gut pain, allergies, eczema, headaches, fatigue, loose bowels, IBS, low mood and autoimmune conditions. This is how my own autoimmune disease; Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis was triggered. Some years ago, when I first started out in my training to become a Nutritional Therapist, I attended a thyroid lecture and had literally every symptom mentioned. I was lucky to be in the right place to educate myself and turn Nutritional Therapy on myself to see what could be done. I had a lot of gut symptoms; bloating, excessive gas, constipation, and extreme fatigue. I was also under a huge amount of stress with a marriage breakdown, three young children and studying for my Diploma. Stress is often a trigger for autoimmunity, from my experience in clinic, I can trace back clients triggers to an infection, illness, stressful event. I have done so much healing work on my gut, radically changing my diet and using functional stool testing to help me be laser-focused with my approach. I now enjoy being completely free of autoimmune markers, I feel amazing, so much energy, no gut symptoms; all through the power of great nutrition and natural solutions. I know first hand that Nutritional Therapy works.
If you suffer with these symptoms or gas, bloating, loose stools, constipation, this can be a symptom of inflammation and imbalance in the gut and its worth taking a deeper dive with an expert to help you.
Food is powerful!
Food is powerful, through dietary changes we can restore gut lining integrity and the ecology of the bacteria that help to modulate and maintain the integrity of our gut and immune system so that you can get back to having better skin, mood, energy and prevent immune reactions that can drive systemic inflammation. For example, we now know some food proteins can be a trigger for leaky gut in some people, for others it is the presence of particular strains of bacteria triggering the immune system to react.
There are some functional tests available that I will sometimes use alongside dietary modification when helping my clients find the root cause of their leaky gut, but I often find that by looking at diet first and foremost can have the biggest impact!
Gut health Challenge
If you are interested in learning more about this topic and wish to find out how to optimise your gut health, you can join my next 7-Day Healthy Gut Challenge for FREE by requesting information for joining my Evienutrition VIP Facebook group or you can try the challenge yourself at home and download it straight away 7-DAY HEALTHY GUT CHALLENGE
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