I don’t know about you, but when I first heard the term “Leaky Gut”, I was instantly intrigued. What does that even mean? However, as I took a deep dive into the research, so much began to click and make sense. To think that substances could leak out of the intestinal tract and get into the bloodstream and other parts of the body was an aha moment for me… Could this be the reason why so many suffer from so many conditions?
Acne. Bloating. Gas. Cramping. Fatigue. Asthma. Joint pain. Rashes. Autoimmune Conditions. Behavioral problems. Psoriasis and other skin conditions. Sadly, the list goes on and on.
Citing an article written by Catherine Guthrie, …It’s a bit of a vicious cycle: Our bodies can only fight so many fires at one time,” explains Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN, author of Digestive Wellness. “If someone is suffering from chronic stress, disease, or inflammation, the normal repair and maintenance of the gut gets deferred.”
So what exactly harms the gut? Lipski and other experts list the top culprits, which include but are not limited to:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (i.e. ibuprofen)
- Processed sugars
- Alcohol
- Processed foods
- Any foods that trigger an allergic response (think lactose, wheat, gluten, etc.)
- Chronic stress
- Toxins and environmental toxins/chemicals
- Microbiome imbalances
I read that list and thought, “It’s a wonder everyone in the world doesn’t have intestinal barrier issues. If any or all of those things can affect our gut/intestinal lining, why aren’t we being more proactive about these things? Why aren’t our healthcare providers addressing them at every appointment?”
Once our gut lining is compromised and things leak through, the cascade of health issues begin. So why aren’t we looking at the gut first and foremost? Why aren’t we limiting our consumption of inflammatory foods and drinks? Why aren’t we reducing our exposure to toxins, both physical (i.e. our beauty, personal hygiene, skincare, bath and body products) and environmental (think household cleaners, mold, chemicals, pollution, etc.)?
Leo Galland, MD, says that “the cells of the intestinal lining replace themselves every three to six days. This means that, given the proper support, your gut can repair itself quickly.”
As you know from my previous posts, I am over the moon excited about the opportunity we have to change our gut health! When we give it the proper support, our microbiome can repair itself quickly, and quickly being in some cases, a matter of days!
The best gut health experts out there have an incredible protocol when it comes to repairing the gut lining:
- Remove the offenders causing the irritation/inflammation
- Replace the offenders with healing, nutrient-dense whole foods that will support the rebuilding of the healthy tissues
- Reinoculate with good, healing bacteria
- Repair
- Rebalance by living a healthy lifestyle that promotes wellness in every area of life
Tomorrow’s post will be all the details on how you can take the next step to implementing this protocol!
