Ease Celiac Disease

Leaky gut – Much more than ‘a gut feeling’

We talk about global warming, climatic changes affecting the environment around us. Add to this the hybridized, genetically modified food products, present day levels of stress, overuse of medications, and we realise how much the world has changed since the time our parents and grandparents lived.

All these radical changes are affecting our health in numerous ways. One of them being our gastrointestinal region. Research is now suggesting a strong connection between our gastrointestinal region and chronic and autoimmune diseases. 

A damage to the intestine’s protective lining is called ‘the leaky gut syndrome’.

What makes a gut ‘leaky’?

The human mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus, form a long tube, called the ‘gut’. The term ‘leaky gut’ refers to only the ‘intestines’, which are a part of the ‘gut’. The outer layer of the gastrointestinal tract is made of mucous and bacteria. A protein called zonulin regulates how tightly the cells are linked together. One of the main functions of this protein is to ensure that things that don’t belong in the bloodstream are kept out – toxins, allergens, undigested food particles, and bacteria. However, when zonulin malfunctions, one ends up with a ‘leaky gut’ or an autoimmune disorder. This is caused due to the materials slipping through the bloodstream and causing inflammation throughout the body. 

What are the symptoms of a ‘leaky gut’?

Typically the symptoms of a leaky gut are similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome – gas, cramping, bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation. As the leakage increases, symptoms include joint pain, rashes, difficulty in sleeping, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue and asthma. Eventually these symptoms can lead to more serious autoimmune disorders, arthritis, autism, also, an inflamed brain. 

What foods to avoid when one has a leaky gut?

Gluten, sugar, wheat, dairy products, soy products, corn, beans, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers.

What foods to eat when one has a leaky gut?

Healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado, coconut oil and olive oil. 

High fibre, low glycemic carbs (leafy greens, arugula, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts)

Slow carbs (starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, low-sugar fruits such as apples, berries, fibre-rich grains such as oats)

Hypoallergenic proteins (peas, rice, hemp, chia)

Clean and lean proteins

In closing……

The ‘leaky gut’ syndrome is more common than it seems. Remember, ‘You are what you eat’. Maybe it is time for you to make that healthy switch and, ‘Goglutenfree’.