leaky gut

What is leaky gut syndrome

Your gut is lined with a row of cells called enterocytes. Between these cells are tight junctions. Their job is to regulate what gets across the intestinal lining and into your general system. While the gut is naturally permeable to nutrients, which are small molecules, so that you can get your nutrition from your food, when your gut barrier and microbiome get weakened from chronic exposure to foods and medications that irritate your gut, or when the good bacteria get out of balance from antibiotics, these tight junctions develop gaps, and you can develop a leaky gut, or leaky gut syndrome (LGS). When this happens, fragments of protein and bacteria that are not supposed to can get into your system. Your body recognizes these are foreign invaders and responds by producing antibodies that mount an immune system reaction against these molecules. Your body goes on red alert to react to many triggers in your environment.

12 signs that you have a leaky gut

You struggle with digestive problems including gas, bloating, loose stools, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
You have food intolerances or food sensitivities.
You suffer from seasonal allergies.
You have eczema, skin rashes, acne, or other chronic skin problems.
You have an autoimmune condition.
You’re tired all the time.
You have chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia.
You struggle with anxiety, depression, or erratic moods.
You’ve been diagnosed with yeast (Candida) overgrowth or SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).
You cannot lose weight despite an excellent diet.
Your joints ache and swell.
You have trouble concentrating, with your memory, or notice other cognitive changes.

Who may be predisposed to leaky gut syndrome?

All autoimmune diseases (celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, type 1 diabetes)
Endocrine diseases (polycystic ovary syndrome, type 2 diabetes)
Neurological disorders (Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia)
Cardiovascular disease
Allergies and asthma
All GI disorders (IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease)
Neoplastic disease
Inflammatory diseases (arthritis and other causes of joint pain)
Chronic infections

In our clinics we offer dry blood tests for:

Intestinal permeability (“Leaky Gut”), measuring levels of Zonulin and its related family of peptides (Zonulin)
Inflammation in the gut
Candida
Food Sensitivities
Hormonal Female and Male Wellness
Adrenal testing
Diurnal Cortisol