Plugging the Leaks in Leaky Gut to Lowering Your Toxic Burden

Plugging the Leaks in Leaky Gut to Lowering Your Toxic Burden

The intestinal tract is lined with cells designed to allow well-digested food to
pass through it and to serve as a barrier to pathogens, other undesirable substances,
and particles too large to benefit our well-being. Stress, pharmaceuticals, and toxins
can slowly wear down this protective barrier, creating a condition called leaky gut.

Leaky gut leaves a gateway through which undesirable substances can enter the
body. This, in turn, can stimulate the immune system to respond in the form of
allergies, inflammation, and autoimmune conditions. The longer the leaky gut
persists, the longer our intestines “lay out the welcome mat” to both external and
internal contaminants. A stool analysis will provide an indication of the state of your
gut lining, but your holistic practitioner may also recommend an assessment known
as an intestinal permeability test. Once it is determined that leaky gut is an issue,
there are several steps you can take. The ones that we have found to be successful in
our practices include:

• Consuming a varied diet of Eating for Health foods to avoid toxicity and to help keep your intestines at an ideal pH for optimal digestive health.
• Emphasizing fermented foods, which provide healthy bacteria, and fresh fruits and vegetables, which provide just the right prebiotic nourishment for healthy bacteria (prebiotics are food ingredients, often fiber, that feed intestinal bacteria).
• Avoiding alcoholic beverages, which can interfere with efficient detoxification and put additional strain on the digestive tract.
• Using antibiotics only when absolutely necessary, and carefully heeding the precautions detailed previously.
• Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) sparingly, if at all, because they can erode your delicate gut lining.
• Using a water filter to eliminate chlorine and chloramines from treated tap water.
• Looking out for symptoms associated with common food allergens, such as headaches, bloating, skin eruptions, and brain fog. Ask your practitioner about food-allergy testing if you suspect a problem.
• Taking herbs such as chamomile, yarrow, kudzu, slippery elm, and marshmallow root, and the amino acid L-glutamine to normalize and heal gut mucosa.
• Scheduling relaxation into your life in the same way that you schedule exercise. Putting time aside daily will yield huge rewards.