Is Leaky Gut Syndrome Leaving You Feeling Unwell?

What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Leaky Gut Syndrome also called Intestinal Permeability is the breakdown of tight junctions within the lining of the intestines. Tight junctions are membranes that bind two cells together to form a barrier. This barrier provides strength and prevents molecules, toxins, bacteria, poisons and faeces from passing from the intestines into the bloodstream.

Causes Of Tight Junctions Breakdown?

Studies have sown that an increase in the inflammatory cytokines Interferon-γ, Tumour necrosis factor-α, Interleukin-1β, Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-17 and a decrease in the anti-inflammatory cytokines Interleukin-10, Epidermal growth factor and Transforming growth factor-β are the underlying causes of tight junction degradation.^1,6

Various medications, health conditions, dietary and lifestyle choices lead to an increase in the inflammatory and decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokines. Below is a list of the more common causes. 

What Damage Can Leaky Gut Syndrome Do?

If the integrity of the Tight Junction cells deteriorates and foreign substances pass from the intestines into the bloodstream immunological severe reaction can occur. Inflammation is driven upwards, which further breaks down intestinal tissue, immune function is suppressed or altered, and a more significant strain is placed on the liver to detoxify. Studies also suggest that the same underlying mechanisms causing Leaky Gut Syndrome may also play a role in the development of a leaky blood-brain barrier ². The table below summarises some of the potential health conditions associated with Leaky Gut Syndrome.

The Best Way To Treat Leaky Gut Syndrome

When healing Leaky Gut Syndrome it best to employ a three-pronged strategy that focuses on diet, changes in lifestyle and nutritional supplementation.

Diet: Foods high in sugar, gluten, white flour, additives, preservatives or excessive caffeine and alcohol are major contributors to Leaky Gut Syndrome. Changing the diet to include more significant amounts of fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, grass-fed meats and wild caught seafood reduce intestinal inflammation plus provide a broad range of vitamins, minerals, fibres and antioxidants that assist in the healing process.

Foods high in glutamine, zinc, vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants contribute to healing Leaky Gut. Here is a link to a Free downloadable PDF outlining foods beneficial to treat Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Lifestyle: Stress is, unfortunately, part of peoples lives, but excess damages the integrity of the tight junctions, leading to Leaky Gut. 

Treatment Strategies to help deal with stress

1. Breathe: Deep breathing, particularly in and out throughout the nose. This type of breath activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System, which helps to reduce the stress causing hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Try the 5 x 5 x 5 technique, breathing in for the count of 5 and then out for a count of 5 and do this for 5 minutes.
2. Exercise: Regular exercise reduces by decreasing adrenaline and cortisol, while increasing endorphins, little brain chemicals that make us feel good. 
3. Meditation: Like exercise, meditation reduces adrenaline and cortisol and increases Alpha Brain Waves, which have anti-anxiety effects. Meditation is anything that allows you to relax and focus on one thing at any given moment, including Yoga, Ti Chi or watching ants crawl up the wall. As long as you remain immersed in that moment, that's meditation.
4. Herbs: Thankfully Mother Nature has provided support to help calm and relax the body while reducing the adverse effects of excessive stress. Cortisol Calm contains the herbs St John's Wort, Ginkgo Biloba, Withania, Bacopa and Skullcap, which provide relief from the harmful effects of stress by reducing elevated levels of adrenaline and cortisol. Both are releases as a trigger to a stressful situation and are the cause of why people feel stressed out and unable to cope. Low levels of GABA can leave people feeling anxious after or during a stressful situation. Be-Calm contains the nutrients needed to bolster brain GABA levels. 

Nutritional Supplementation: To effectively heal Leaky Gut, diet and lifestyle changes alone are not enough. Various nutrients are needed in the short term to bring around changes to clear intestinal inflammation and repair intestinal integrity.

Individual Nutrients That Heal Leaky Gut Syndrome

Generally, a two-pronged strategy is employed to improve levels of beneficial gut bacteria, reduce inflammation and initial intestinal healing 

1. Stage 1: Irradicate Dysbiosis by removing any harmful organisms that are driving up inflammation plus improve the levels of the anti-inflammatory beneficial gut bacteria. Intestinal Cleanse a non-alcoholic herbal tonic designed to eradicate a wide range of harmful bacteria, parasites and worms. SacchroBiotic contains the probiotic Saccharomyces Boularrdii, which has a multifacet role 1) it works with intestinal cleanse to destroy harmful organisms by suffocating them. 2) Helps to heal tight junctions by increasing secretory IgA and reducing intestinal inflammation 3) provides nutritional support for beneficial gut bacteria. Multibac 10 a dairy-free probiotic that contains ten strains of beneficial anti-inflammatory gut bacteria that help heal Leaky Gut Syndrome. 
2. Stage 2: Reduce intestinal inflammation and heal Leaky Gut Syndrome. Intestinal Repair contains 15 individual herbs and nutrients that treat Leaky Gut including Nopal Cactus, which has been shown to decrease the inflammatory markers Interferon-γ, Tumour necrosis factor-α, Interleukin-1β, Interleukin-6 and increases the anti-inflammatory marker Interleukin-10 .^3,4 Digestive Support helps normalise stomach and digestive enzyme secretions and reduce intestinal inflammation. Revitalise a prebiotic fibre which promotes intestinal healing by enhancing the health and numbers of anti-inflammatory beneficial gut bacteria. Multibac 10 a dairy-free probiotic that contains ten strains of beneficial anti-inflammatory gut bacteria that help heal Leaky Gut Syndrome.

The information provided here is of a general nature intended for educational purposes only. We make no claims to diagnose, treat, prevent, alleviate or cure illnesses or diseases with any information or product stated. With any health issue, we suggest you consult your healthcare professional before undertaking any health treatment.

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