You may have heard about "leaky gut," a term gaining attention in health discussions. In basic terms, it refers to a problem with the gut (your stomach and intestines) that let's harmful things leak into your body. Let's break down the causes, signs, and easy solutions for leaky gut.
Causes of Leaky Gut: Figuring Out Why It Happens
Leaky gut can happen because of different things:
- Food Choices: Eating too much processed food, gluten, and sugary stuff can cause inflammation and damage your gut.
- Bad Balance of Gut Bacteria: When the good and bad bacteria in your gut get mixed up, it can harm your intestines.
- Medicines: Some medicines, like painkillers and antibiotics, can also harm your gut over time.
- Stress: Feeling stressed a lot can mess with your gut and how it works.
Signs and Symptoms: How Your Body Tells You Something's Wrong
Leaky gut can show up in different ways:
- Stomach Problems: Feeling bloated, gassy, or having tummy troubles like diarrhea.
- Trouble with Food: Suddenly reacting to certain foods that never bothered you before.
- Skin Issues: Things like eczema or psoriasis might get worse.
- Feeling Tired and Achy: More inflammation can make you feel tired and your joints might hurt.
- Problems with the immune system: You might get sick more often.
- Depression, mood swings and anxiety: Feeling down, or anxious, having mood swings can be a symptom of a leaky gut.
Diagnosing Leaky Gut: How We Can Figure It Out
Fortunately, there are some stool tests you can do to find out if you have a leaky gut. Contact me if you want to learn more about them.
Treatment: Supplements and Changing How You Live
A good and natural orthomolecular diet is essential for healthy gut health. Some extra things, like L-glutamine, might help your gut as well. Also, try to:
Leaky gut is a tricky problem, but you can help your gut by eating well, managing stress, and getting advice from your health professional. Taking care of your gut means taking care of your overall health.