Healing Leaky Gut Naturally: The Key Nutrients You Need

by Dr. Nick Zyrowski August 11, 2023

If you’ve suffered from gut issues and felt like you had to do the research yourself because you’ve not found a doctor who can help, this article is for you. Often, many people get sick and tired of being sick and tired but don’t know how to stop the cycle. There are many symptoms of a leaky gut that you may not recognize and if you do, treating the problem can be difficult if you don’t have the proper tools. Keep reading to recognize the signs of a leaky gut and learn how to begin healing naturally.

What is a leaky gut?

Many people unknowingly suffer from leaky gut and don’t know it. A leaky gut happens when large particles of food travel through the GI tract and into your bloodstream. (1) That causes your immune system to have numerous reactions. You can think of your gut as a net that allows extremely small particles of food to pass through, but if the net becomes worn out, large pieces of food start to get through the net.

Symptoms of leaky gut

How do you know if you have this issue? There are symptoms to look for that may be warning signs. Your body typically shows you when something is not quite right, but the key is to pay attention to the symptoms. Here are some common signs:

  • Increased food sensitivities: If you’ve begun to notice that you’re having more food sensitivities, that could be your body reacting to a leaky gut. (2) It can be frustrating to find a new food you enjoy and then not be able to eat it.
  • Bloating and stomach distention: Even if you’re a healthy weight, you may look like you have a large stomach due to bloating.
  • Pain or swelling after eating: This is when you eat something, and after a few minutes, you’ll get pain in your joints or swelling in different parts of your body.
  • Sugar reactions: People having leaky gut issues will often have reactions to sugar or starches.
  • Skin irritations: You may develop rashes, acne, and even Eczema with a leaky gut.

Bigger issues

If the above list wasn’t enough to consider, a leaky gut can eventually lead to even bigger problems. Some people may experience autoimmune issues if they’ve been dealing with a leaky gut for some time. Think about illnesses like arthritis and fibromyalgia. If left untreated, a leaky gut can cause inflammation in the brain, leading to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. (3)

Looking at the root cause

When looking to treat any health issue, you must find the root cause. To fix a leaky gut, we want you to know what can cause it to prevent it. Knowing why you may have a leaky gut will also give you the tools to fix it. Here are some of the causes you should know about:

  • Stress: Stress is behind so many illnesses today. When you’re stressed, it changes the microbial balance in your gut. (4)
  • Toxins: We are exposed to numerous toxins daily, whether it be pesticides that get sprayed on our foods or regular household cleaners.
  • Medicines: Antibiotics get overused, but there are OTC meds that can cause GI issues. Check your medications and read the side effects.
  • Pathogens: Bad bacteria can form in your gut from the particles that pass through and populate the microbiome.
  • Organ issues: Your kidneys, colon, gallbladder, and liver are organs that work together to keep your body healthy. If there’s an issue with an organ, it can affect other areas, too.

Getting well

Now that you know what causes a leaky gut, it’s time to heal the problem so you can feel better. You can reverse this issue without prescription medications. We always want to take a natural approach when possible.

Eating proper foods

You may need to remove certain foods from your diet for a while. You’ll then replace them with foods that will nourish your gut lining. Most people don’t have to remove their favorite foods forever, but it’s necessary for a time. Along with any foods you may be sensitive to, these are the top foods to remove:

  • All grains
  • Sugar
  • Lectins
  • Dairy
  • Soy
  • Alcohol
  • Any processed foods

After looking at that list, you may be wondering what you can eat. Here are some of the recommended foods that can help heal your gut.

  • Proteins that are grass-fed/organic
  • Veggies (except tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and mushrooms)
  • Low glycemic fruits ( berries, kiwi, apples, lemons)
  • Healthy fats (coconut oil/milk/cream, olive oil)
  • Fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, coconut yogurt)

Repairing the gastrointestinal lining

In addition to a specific diet, you need the proper supplements to help repair your gastrointestinal lining. Your body needs natural substances that can be easily digested. One of the most beneficial supplements you can use is GI Repair Powder. This formula contains the nutrients you need to support intestinal integrity and repair the intestinal lining.

We also recommend drinking bone broth when working on leaky gut issues. You can drink eight ounces in the morning and then eight ounces in the afternoon or evening. (5)

Taking the proper probiotics is essential. Many probiotics on the market contain prebiotics, and although healthy, you should not consume prebiotics when healing a leaky gut. Prebiotics can feed bad bacteria. Be sure you take a probiotic that supports healing your gut.

Digestive enzymes are crucial during this time because you’re unable to absorb all the nutrients you need when you eat. These digestive enzymes will help you re-seed the gut with proper enzymes for breaking down foods.

Treating the whole body

We have a healthcare system today that is broken. Unfortunately, when you visit a medical doctor, you’re often given about ten minutes in the office and then handed a prescription for the symptoms you’ve experienced. Holistic medicine looks at treating the whole body and getting to the root cause of illnesses so you can reverse them, not cover them up without a resolution.

Some people will treat one or two symptoms and then give up because they don’t see improvement. Many times it takes a combined approach to fix any health issue. When you want results, you need to use all the tools at your disposal to get well. You don’t want to prolong getting better, and we are always here to help. Leaky gut is a prominent issue for many who continue to treat the symptoms, not knowing a remedy relies on natural methods. Contact us today to see how our resources and programs can benefit you for a healthier tomorrow.

References :

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326117#:~:text=Leaky%20gut%20syndrome%20is%20a,in%20Crohn's%20and%20other%20diseases.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898551/

https://www.potomacpsychiatry.com/conditions-we-treat/leaky-gut#:~:text=If%20left%20untreated%2C%20this%20condition,health%20may%20suffer%20as%20well.

https://tristategastro.net/how-stress-affects-the-gut-microbiome/#:~:text=Chronic%20stress%20can%20disturb%20the,inflammatory%20bowel%20disease%20(IBD).

https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/gut-check-is-bone-broth-good-for-your-gut/#:~:text=The%20proteins%20and%20amino%20acids,the%20Canadian%20Digestive%20Health%20Foundation.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9862683/

https://experiencelife.lifetime.life/article/top-3-supplements-that-support-gut-health/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/bone-broth-for-gut-health-1944996

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8618064/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25855934/

Dr. Nick Zyrowski
Dr. Nick Zyrowski