Leaky Gut Debunked
Gut health and your immune system are intimately connected, and the state of your intestinal lining can determine your ability to fight off disease. Your gut microbiome (aka gastrointestinal tract) is made up of trillions of live bacteria. Why is this bacteria important? According to Registered Dietitian, Lori Zanteson,
“Inside the gut are about 100 trillion live microorganisms that promote normal GI function, protect the body from infection, and regulate metabolism and the mucosal immune system. In fact, they comprise more than 75% of the immune system. Also important is their role in maintaining and protecting the GI barrier. An intact GI barrier maintains gut health, while a problem with its microbiota composition will affect the body’s defense systems.”
So, what exactly is “leaky gut”?
Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, occurs when the lining of your intestines break down, allowing partially digested food or other bacteria to escape your digestive tract and into your body’s tissue. Your body immediately sounds an ‘invader’ alarm, creating an inflammatory response, and your body begins to attack itself. When the integrity of your gut lining is compromised, your body will be in a state of chronic inflammation as it attempts to respond to the foreign substances. Chronic inflammation is a primary contributor to autoimmune diseases.
Why does this matter?
A significant portion of the American population suffers from one or more autoimmune diseases. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, there are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases that affect more than 24 million Americans. A strong and healthy gut is the root of our heath, and maintaining a healthy balance of good bacteria helps your immune system fight off infection.
What causes leaky gut?
Some people are genetically predisposed to having a compromised gut lining; however, most causes are diet and lifestyle related. The Standard American Diet can be very harmful for our gut lining. Americans typically ingest high quantities of sugar, gluten, and alcohol, and further, the chemicals found on most conventional produce, like pesticides and herbicides, contribute to gut barrier degradation as well. Secondly, stress plays a major role in our gut health as well. Our brain and our gut are in a constant conversation, known as the “gut-brain axis.” Our gut health influences our mental state, and our mental state influences our gut health. Stress can trigger bloating, gas, pain, and digestive discomfort, which are some of the main symptoms of leaky gut.
If you suspect you have leaky gut…
Try to implement more vegetables, fiber, and healthy fats. Soups, broths, and cooked foods are soothing for the gut as they are easier to digest. Focus on real foods, limit chemicals and processed foods, and ask your doctor about supplementing for your gut health. Probiotic rich foods can help bring your microbiota back into balance as well, so implement kefir or high quality yogurts, kimchi, krauts, kombucha, or miso. Additionally, sometimes all it takes to solve gut issues is to learn to manage your stress through deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or even just going on a walk outside.
Still not convinced? Let me introduce you to the term “leaky gut.” In short, leaky gut is the word used to describe compromised intestinal lining. AKA your intestines have holes in them. This means that partially digested food and other toxins are able to leak into your body’s tissue, creating an inflammatory response. Essentially, your body thinks there’s an intruder, so it begins attacking itself. This is known as an autoimmune response and is the genesis of diseases such as, type 1 diabetes, allergies, asthma, celiac disease, arthritis, etc. Your gut lining is the root of your health; it’s your immune system. The collagen in bone broth repairs intestinal lining damage done by our Standard American Diet that is high in sugar, unhealthy fats, oils, alcohol, and other harmful toxins
