Super Foods That May Helps Heal Leaky Gut

Leaky gut syndrome is actually a common problem with millions of individuals suffering from it without even knowing they have it. You might be thinking that leaky gut syndrome only affects the GI tract but, in actuality, it affects your entire body. Many health conditions are associated with having a leaky gut, some of which might surprise you. 

If you suffer from low energy, autoimmune diseases, food allergies, thyroid disease, or joint pain, the problem can stem from having a leaky gut. Leaky gut syndrome allows for undigested food particles to enter the blood stream, wreaking havoc on the rest of your body.

Leaky Gut Syndrome

The lining of your GI tract is like a sieve that allows only small components of food to enter your system, such as simple sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids. If your gut is leaky, you allow larger particles of food to enter the blood stream, where they can be seen as foreign invaders and will be acted upon by your immune system. 

Leaky gut syndrome involves inflammation of the intestinal lining, which leads to malabsorption of the foods you eat. This elicits an immune response that causes gastrointestinal issues and food intolerances. This, in turn, can lead to autoimmune diseases like lupus, Sjogren’s disease, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

Leaky gut syndrome is actually a syndrome of increased permeability of the intestinal tract. The holes in the sieve get too big so that large particles of food get into the blood stream. Things that can get into your bloodstream include toxic waste products, larger proteins, unhealthy bacteria, and food particles that have not been completely digested.

This can cause an immune response that can ultimately lead to diseases such as autoimmune diseases and food allergies.

When you have leaky gut syndrome, your GI tract becomes inflamed and the holes that nutrients are supposed to get through get bigger. Undigested food particles enter the bloodstream, resulting in food intolerances and an activation of the immune system.

This activation of the immune system is the ultimate cause of autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms of a Leaky Gut

Some common symptoms you might experience when you have a leaky gut include the following:

• Metabolic syndrome
• Rosacea and acne
• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Tiredness
• Thyroid problems
• Food sensitivities
• Bloating of the abdomen

Ultimately, your whole body is affected. Your brain can be affected, leading to ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Your sinus and mouth can be affected, leading to food sensitivities and frequent colds. Your skin can be affected, leading to psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and acne. Your thyroid can be affected, leading to Grave’s disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Your joints can be affected, leading to fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Of course, your colon is affected, leading to irritable bowel disease, diarrhea, and constipation. Your adrenal glands can fail to work, causing constant fatigue.

You can be tested for leaky gut syndrome by seeing your doctor. They can identify if your gut is letting through fat and undigested protein molecules so that you have food sensitivities and autoimmune disease. Other diseases that can by having a leaky gut include various autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes. You can also be affected with nutrient malabsorption, such as malabsorption of vitamin B12, iron, and zinc.

Superfoods That Can Help A Leaky Gut

There are certain foods you can eat that can help heal a leaky gut. Some of these include the following:

• Bone broth. Bone broth is rich in collagen and the amino acids glycine and proline. These amino acids can improve the health of your gut and can heal leaky gut syndrome. Try a fast that just includes bone broth to see if it positively affects your symptoms.
• Fermented vegetables. Fermented vegetables are rich in organic acids that help to balance the pH of the GI tract and provide healthful probiotics that support a leaky gut. Some fermented vegetables you might want to try include sauerkraut, kvass, and kimchi.
• Raw dairy products. Raw dairy products are high in probiotics and healthy fatty acids that will heal a leaky gut. Some raw dairy products that help a leaky gut include raw cheese, butter, amasai, yogurt, and pasteurized kefir.
• Products that contain coconut are extremely good for your gut. The fatty acids in coconut are easier to digest than regular fats so they won’t cause a leaky gut. Coconut also contains probiotics that are supportive to the digestive tract.
• Sprouted seeds. These include flaxseeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds that have already sprouted. They provide the gut with plenty of fiber and can support the development of healthy bacteria in the gut. If your gut is extremely leaky, you should avoid the seeds and simply eat steamed vegetables as a source of fiber.

It is important to work with your doctor if you have been diagnosed with leaky gut and get approval for any treatments you are considering.