Leaky Gut Syndrome Treatment
Natural treatment to improve your hyperpermeable gut
Leaky gut syndrome involves a malfunction of the filtering system of the small intestine. It is not a disease with a single known cause or cure – there is no silver bullet. Rather, it is a syndrome involving a host of possible causes or factors and a corresponding number of possible treatments. Leaky gut syndrome treatment with our naturopathic doctor, Dr. Makoto Trotter, can address the underlying origins of your inflammation and guide you back on the road to health.
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Leaky gut syndrome, or gut hyperpermeability, disrupts the normal function of the gut. The gut is the common name given to the small intestine. More specifically, the small intestine is comprised of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and spans the digestive tract from the stomach to the large intestine, or bowel.
As the name suggests, your gut “leaks” material into the bloodstream during leaky gut syndrome. In a healthy state, your intestinal wall works as a very selective filter. Effectively, it determines what is and what is not permitted to pass into the bloodstream. When the gut is inflamed, this selective barrier is compromised and its permeability increases. As a result, material such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and food particles can cross more readily into the blood. This is how gut hyper-permeability leads to many systemic and widespread presentations.
From here, the foreign particles are released into tissues throughout the body. Consequently, this triggers inflammation that can appear in many bodily systems that may seem to be distinct from the digestive tract.
Leaky gut is the origin of the problem but not always the site where symptoms appear. In other words, you may or may not experience digestive symptoms with leaky gut syndrome. A leaky gut syndrome (gut permeability) test is the best way to determine if the filter of your gut is intact or abnormal.
You can learn more about our leaky gut syndrome test here.
How do I treat my leaky gut?
Speak to our naturopath, Dr.Makoto Trotter, ND to help assess your health for leaky gut syndrome. As well, you can discuss testing options and determine what the best approach is to treating a compromised gut.
Dr.Trotter is very knowledgeable about leaky gut syndrome and has authored a comprehensive guide book to treating this condition.
Symptoms and Diseases Associated with Gut Hyperpermeability
Conditions associated with leaky gut syndrome are wide ranging and numerous. Abnormal absorption of unprocessed material leads to conditions involving inflammation and altered immune function.
- Cardiovascular diseases and conditions: headache, heart disease, vasculitis, hypertension, pericarditis
- Central nervous system conditions: migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis
- Digestive conditions and diseases: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, celiac disease, acid reflux disease (GERD), food sensitivities
- Endocrine (hormonal) conditions: diabetes types I & II, irregular menses, premenstrual syndrome, heavy menses, low libido, erectile dysfunction, suboptimal thyroid function, adrenal fatigue, polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Immune system conditions: autoimmune conditions, multiple food sensitivities, recurrent or chronic infections
- Integumentary (skin) conditions: eczema, psoriasis, severe acne, seborrhea, hives
- Musculoskeletal system: rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, muscle pain
- Respiratory system: asthma, chronic congestion, cardiopulmonary disease (COPD)
Understanding Leaky Gut Syndrome
In a healthy person, the tight junctions between cells in the intestines maintain the integrity of the lining of the gut, called the mucosa. These tight junctions help the intestinal wall to form a selective barrier. As a result, a healthy gut wall protects you against foreign material and pathogens entering your bloodstream, while also allowing for the absorption of water, electrolytes and nutrients.
With a hyper-permeable (aka less selective) gut lining in leaky gut syndrome, this normal protection is compromised. This results in a hyper-permeable gut, which is linked to many inflammatory and auto-immune diseases.
The intestinal wall also serves as a filter, determining what is and what is not allowed into your bloodstream. The cells of the intestinal mucosa are designed to be selective, absorbing nutrients as needed. If your gut is in good health, nutrients are transported directly through the cells of the intestinal mucosa; if your gut is in poor health, nutrients trickle away – or “leak” – through the spaces between these cells and become waste.
Dr. Makoto Trotter, ND will work together with you to treat your leaky gut systematically using a natural approach. Your treatment plan will be based on how your own individual condition responds and improves.
Book an appointment or contact Zentai Wellness Centre for further inquiries about leaky gut syndrome treatment.
Some text and the diagram was taken from Dr. Makoto’s book, The Complete Leaky Gut Health & Diet Guide.