What is Leaky Gut
Leaky gut is a popular term for intestinal hyperpermeability (the latter term is now finally recognized in regular medicine as well). It’s a very common condition where the lining of the intestinal tract becomes increasingly porous. Studies have shown that this afflicts more than 50% of the world population, and it drives chronic disease.
The intestines have a lining inside consisting of epithelial cells that are normally closely attached next to eachother. It’s where nutrients are being absorbed and simultaneously it resists the entry of particles such as pro-inflammatory molecules, toxins, antigens and pathogens into the bloodstream.
The selective permeability of the epithelium is created by two routes: the transcellular and paracellular routes. The transcellular route is used to transport nutrients, including sugars, amino acids, peptides, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins, across the epithelium. This strains out large food particles and only allows small, well-digested molecules to pass through.
The paracellular route is involved in transport between adjacent epithelial cells and is regulated by a complex consisting of tight junctions (TJs) and adhesion junctions (AJs). The TJs regulate selective permeability by forming a barrier to harmful substances (by bonding epithelial cells together), but also creating a path for the entry of sodium, water, and glucose in case of high stress – to meet the increased energy demands. Once the stressful challenge is over, the body returns to homeostasis, as well as regulating intestinal permeability. This is pure physiology.
However, continued stress can disrupt the TJ barrier and lead to increased permeation of pro-inflammatory molecules in the lumen, activation of the mucosal immune system and ultimately persistent inflammation and tissue damage. As shown on the right side of the image below.
The situation becomes pathological: a hyperpermeable gut or “leaky gut” is created.
How Does Leaky Gut Impact Your Health?
Now you know that having a hyperpermeable gut during stress is pure physiology, so it makes sense that leaky gut is present in everyone to some degree. (Who doesn’t have stress these days?) It’s only a problem when your intestines stay “leaky” for too long and start to let out the wrong types of molecules and microbes. It’s the chronic factor that creates inflammation and contributes to many different health issues. The image below shows how your intestines are connected to your different organs and what diseases can arise. Everything in your mind and body is connected.
How to Know if You have Leaky Gut?
You know now that most people in Western industrialized countries have a hyperpermeable gut to som extent. When a chronic inflammatory condition is present, we can assume that leaky gut is present as well. Unfortunately there are not many guts in the Western world that are in pristine condition.
If you want to know for sure if you have leaky gut and to what degree, then we can test for it. If identified, and if present, this is a PRIMARY target for our treatment plan. But just testing for it does not inform us about the causes of YOUR personal leaky gut, so it’s not essential and you can save the investment as you wish. More about the possible casus of leaky gut in the next chapter.
Therefore, we believe there are really only two benefits from testing:
- To be able to track progress in healing the gut. Test again after finishing our protocol.
- To motivate individuals who need to see a diagnosis on paper in order to make the necessary diet and lifestyle changes.
If you choose to test for intestinal permeability, the best options are listed below.
Markers to test:
- Challenge tests:
- Lactulose/mannitol ratio increased in urine: this is the best option for testing small intestine permeability.
- 13C-Sucrose-breathtest
- Serum markers:
- Zonulin: zonulin should be between the enterocytes, not in the blood.
- Lipopolysaccharides: LPS pass through intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream.
- Fecal markers:
- Zonulin: marker of intestinal permeability.
- Calprotectin: non-specific marker of glut inflammation.
The fecal markers (from stool analysis) say less than the other ones, but as part of a comprehensive gut micriobiome test we can gather a lot of information about your gastrointestinal health.
Symptoms
Here is a summary of symptoms that may indicate you have leaky gut.
Body System | Leaky Gut Symptoms & Conditions |
Digestive | Bloating, Constipation, Diarrhea, abdominal pain, acid reflux, IBS, colitis, Crohn’s, IBD |
Brain/Neurological | Mental Health Conditions such as Depression, Anxiety, Mood swings and Brain fog. Migraine, Pain syndromes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Autism, Sleep problems |
Energy Production | Lethargy, Fatigue (especially after meals), chronic fatigue |
Joints | Joint pain, Arthritis, Inflammation |
Skin | Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and any impure skin |
Immune System | Autoimmune disorders, such as Diabetes Type 1, Thyroid, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Celiac, Multiple sclerosis, Fibromyalgia. Food Allergies |
Cardiovascular | Arterial inflammation, Heart disease |
Can you fix leaky gut?
Despite what you may have seen advertised, there’s no quick fix to heal your gut. It’s possible to repair most of the damage in just 3 or 4 weeks, but often it takes a bit longer. By following this 60 days program, you can get back on the path of health and wellness.
The intestine is the most highly regenerative organ in the human body, regenerating its epithelial cells every 3 – 7 days, by repeating cycles of cell proliferation, migration, and shedding. But after repeated assaults, it won’t heal fast enough anymore. Your body is only able to tolerate so many toxic chemicals, such as partially digested foods and metabolites that irritate the system, heavy metals, and stress. Now you have pathogenic intestinal permeability – the weak link in your chain.
When your health is failing, do not assume that you body is failing you. Its effort to heal never stops, not even for a second. However, over the years most people with leaky gut have endured tens of thousands of repeated injuries to their gut lining and tissues, simply because of what they eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and their stressful lifestyle. For disease to progress, injury must outpace healing. For healing to occur, the opposite must happen: HEALING must outpace injury. It’s a simple matter of allowing your body to heal by stopping the regression by very clean living.
To reestablish your intestinal barrier function the key is to address underlying mechanisms that contribute to intestinal permeability. We need to address the things that are irritating it. That means taking care of any dysbiosis, infections, stress and following a proper diet to turn on your genes to heal your gut.
Do not try to Treat it Yourself (DIY).
We’ve made the most complete Leaky Gut Recovery Protocol freely available for you as a resource, but this protocol is not meant to do-it-yourself, but meant to use together with your healthcare practicioner. You always need a personalized approach. Dozens of things can contribute to leaky gut and it’s different for everyone.
How Long Does It Take to Heal Leaky Gut?
It’s important to remember that your gut did not become chronically hyperpermeable overnight. Chances are this is the result of years of exposure to inflammatory foods, toxins, and other stressors. So healing leaky gut will certainly take some time as well. That’s why it’s important to be patient with yourself and stick to your personalized gut-recovery protocol. This commitment to your health will be worth it as your health is restored and you are feeling like your best again (or even better!).
Want our help reversing your leaky gut?
If you are ready, willing, and able to invest in your best health, we offer Health Transformation Programs over Zoom. We provide comprehensive, customized treatment plans, and collaborative, caring support. If you are ready to beat Leaky Gut and reclaim your best life please book a complementary 20–minute discovery call with us to gain clarity, confidence, and explore the possibility of working together.