You might think that because you’re eating a balanced diet every day, that your gut is completely healthy. Not only can diet affect your ability to lose or gain weight, but it can also lead to undesirable digestion issues. Gaps in nutrition can lead to gaps in your gut.
Although everyone’s gut is different, there are measures that you can take to repair a leaky gut.
What Is Leaky Gut?
Our intestinal walls serve as a line of defense against toxins making their way into the bloodstream from the digestive tract.
With leaky gut syndrome the line of defense is broken down when tight cellular junctions start loosening apart. This allows for harmful bacteria and substances to seep into your organs by way of the bloodstream, leading to disease.
What Causes It?
Gut permeability isn’t exactly out of the ordinary. Our intestinal walls aren’t supposed to be stone-hard. Water and nutrients have to pass through, making their way to the organs that need them most.
The only problem is when this gut permeability goes off the scales. This can cause inflammation throughout the body and trigger an immune response.
There are many factors that contribute to a leaky gut, from high sugar intake to stress and even nutrient deficiency. But, it’s not just diet that pulls the trigger. Genetics might also be to blame.
A protein called zonulin controls permeability in the gut. When that protein is activated by someone’s specific genetic make-up, it can cause the gut to leak excessively.
What Are The Symptoms
If you’re very sensitive to certain foods, have issues with digestion, or bloating then you might be suffering from a leaky gut syndrome.
In fact, there are many diseases associated with a leaky gut such as diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)and even food allergies might be signs of a porous intestine. For more information about IBS click here.
Top 7 Supplements To Heal Leaky Gut
Here are some effective and accessible leaky gut supplements I love.
- Zinc
Zinc facilitates a range of metabolic processes in the body. It helps in the creation of particular proteins. Zinc is critical for tissue repair and it even works to improve the immune system.
Research shows zinc can help strengthen the intestinal lining in people suffering from Crohn’s Disease, resulting in the reduction of permeability in the gut.
- Collagen
From your head to your toe, collagen is everywhere. Studies have shown that it works to repair the intestinal lining by preventing it from breaking down even more. As if that wasn’t enough, research indicates that it also has anti-inflammatory properties.
It’s the reason our skin stays flexible, it’s great for regulating our gastric acids and it promotes digestion. If your gut is leaky, collagen is the key.
- Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes in our pancreas are responsible for breaking down food into more manageable chunks. If your digestion isn’t on point, you’ll have bacteria like H.pylori digesting your food and turning it into gas that’ll have you excusing yourself far too often.
If the bacteria in your tummy continues to multiply and you’ve got a leaky gut, you might end up with a full-on invasion.
- Prebiotics
Prebiotics are what your healthy bacteria feed on. Once ingested, they make their way to the large intestine where they’re broken down by gut bacteria. As a result of this process, you get nutrients like Vitamin K which keep that ‘good bacteria’ well-fed.
When your good bacteria is happy, it’ll help you fight against bad bacteria that could otherwise find its way into your bloodstream.
However, a customer shared that some probiotics might cause skin or stomach issues if you didn’t choose the right supplement for your body. Thus, if you’re sensitive, you should refer to some reviews of those who have the same conditions as yours or consult your doctor for quicker advice.
- Probiotics
Probiotics are a type of friendly bacteria that confer a health benefit on the host. These are living microorganisms that help repair the little biological community in your gut.
Think of it like you’re reinforcing your troops, more good bacteria means you can better fight off the bad bacteria. From Leaky Gut Syndrome to a whole host of gastrointestinal diseases, probiotics are nature’s little helpers.
- L-Glutamine
Glutamine is fuel for your intestinal cells, it empowers them to heal and reproduce faster and it serves to regulate the operation and structural integrity of the gut.
Our bodies also produce glutamine but due to intense exercise, stress, and even fasting, you can find yourself with a little less than you might need. Investing in some glutamine for a robust and well-maintained gut, you won’t regret it.
- Turmeric
We all know this one; you probably have some in your spice cabinet right now. Turmeric is great for reducing inflammation and it’s a superstar antioxidant.
Different digestive disorders can be treated with turmeric. Ask any foodie and they’ll tell you it tastes great. I mean who doesn’t want great-tasting medicine?