Are you struggling with digestive problems and can’t seem to find any relief? You may be suffering from a leaky gut! Take a look at the symptoms of leaky gut, but first, let’s define and explain leaky gut and its causes:
What is leaky gut syndrome?
Leaky gut is a term used to describe interstitial permeability or hyperpermeability. This occurs when the mucosal lining breaks down and weakens the gut-immune barrier, allowing larger molecules, including water, nutrients, and even toxic particles to “leak” through into your bloodstream.
What causes a leaky gut?
There are many diseases associated with leaky gut syndrome, including several autoimmune conditions. It can be a contributing factor for IBS or IBD, Celiac and Chron’s disease, as well as fibromyalgia, MS, and diabetes. Other causes could include excessive alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, or chronic stress.
What are symptoms of leaky gut syndrome?
Low gut permeability can contribute to a wide range of illnesses and symptoms as mentioned previously. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of leaky gut syndrome:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Chronic diarrhea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Brain fog
- Memory/concentration problems
- Skin issues such as acne or eczema
Since many of these side effects could indicate several different health concerns, it’s important to communicate with your doctor as soon as you notice these symptoms. Keeping a diary of flare-ups and new symptoms can also help determine exactly what is going on for the most effective treatment.
What can you do to improve gut health?
Eat an anti-inflammatory diet.
One of the best ways to improve your symptoms of leaky gut syndrome is by eating a nutrient-rich diet and avoiding certain triggers that will only make your symptoms worse. Some foods you should avoid are alcohol, processed foods with refined carbohydrates and oils (most snacks, candy, cookies, chips, etc.), as well as any food sensitivities like gluten or dairy. Adopting a Mediterranean diet that focuses on high protein, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and other healthy fats is a great place to start!
Manage stress levels.
Chronic stress goes hand in hand with chronic inflammation. They feed off of each other, making you feel worse and worse. Reducing stress levels is easier said than done, but a few things you can do include prioritizing sleep, daily exercise, hobbies, social connections, spending time outside, meditating or journaling, and yoga.
Consult with our functional medicine specialists.
Here at Towncrest Pharmacy, we prioritize gut wellness and approaching health through the lens of functional medicine principles. This simply means that we don’t hand out medications to mask your symptoms but rather work to uncover the root problem and treat all aspects of wellness, from physical and emotional to mental and spiritual. We help patients create healthy eating habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns, supplement regimens, and more for a long-term lifestyle that produces lasting results.
The symptoms of leaky gut syndrome are frustrating and can even be debilitating. That’s why we are passionate about helping patients take steps toward better health through holistic therapies and lifestyle modification. Check out some of the best supplements for gut health and get in touch with us today about how we can help you get back to feeling like your best self!
