Lining of the intestines is made of millions of cells that join together to create a tight barrier which acts as a security system to decide what gets absorbed into the bloodstream and what stays out. These linings can become weakened and develop holes in the barrier, as a result toxins and bacteria can leak into the body. Such leaks can trigger inflammation in the gut and throughout the body, leading to a chain reaction of problems such as cramps, gas, bloating, fatigue, food sensitivities, joint pain, and headaches, among others.
Some may be born with weaker barriers, others may have unhealthy and/or unbalanced diets that are low in fiber and high in sugars and saturated fats that can trigger weakening of gut linings; in addition age plays a role as well as cells become damaged more easily and heal slowly leaving the gut more vulnerable.
Science behind leaky gut is still up in the air, it may be the cause of some problems and may be a sign of something larger. Digestive conditions such as IBD, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease have many of the same symptoms and all are linked with chronic inflammation but it is not known if or how they are connected; the challenge to this being difficulty to measure strength of a person’s gut barrier, leading to uncertainty if leaky gut is present or what influence it may have elsewhere in the body.
There is not a simple direct approach to fixing this issue, many strategies must be tried by process of elimination to see what happens and what works best, say Dr. Alessio Fasano director of the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment. After consulting with a doctor several strategies may be tried to help relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation including review of diet to eliminate known dietary causes of inflammations such as alcohol and processed foods.
To help protect against leaky gut it is wise to invest more in overall digestive health, which means being more attentive to a gut friendly diets that limit processed foods, alcohol, high fat and high sugar foods, and include adequate amounts of fiber. Physical activity and maintaining a regular exercise routine can also help to strengthen the digestive system, studies have shown that a 15-20 minute walk after a meal can help digestion.
