Leaky Gut – The Hidden Cause Of Poor Health And Chronic Inflammation
Updated: Oct 4, 2024
Rupali is a holistic health practitioner who knows there are no magic pills or 'one-size-fits-all' solutions in healthcare. A registered New Zealand pharmacist, she runs her virtual clinic, Pause.Breathe.Live, focusing on Functional Nutritional Therapy. Specializing in gut health, she offers functional testing to guide clients toward true healing.
Normal test results, but feeling less than normal? Ever had blood tests and scans come back “normal,” but you still feel off? What’s going on?!
What is leaky gut?
Leaky gut, also known as intestinal permeability, occurs when the lining of your intestines becomes weakened.
Usually the intestinal cavity is considered “external” and the movement of substances through the intestinal wall is very regulated. However when those substances that are meant to be confined in the intestinal cavity start passing through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream, this impairment is known as “leaky gut”.
This now allows an increase in blood concentration of toxins, bacteria and undigested food particles which trigger inflammatory responses with both local and systemic issues, manifesting as various diseases. ¹
Pro Tip: Leaky gut is often a root cause of chronic illnesses, but it’s rarely addressed in conventional medicine. Are you ready to dive deeper into your gut health?
Causes of leaky gut
Poor diet (high in processed foods, sugar, and artificial additives)
Bacterial infections
Dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria)
Oxidative stress
Alcohol
Food sensitivities and allergies
Of note, “The alteration of the intestinal epithelial barrier is often a consequence of various intestinal diseases but may also be the starting point of these diseases”. ³
What can leaky gut lead to?
Leaky gut doesn’t just affect your digestive system. It can be linked to a wide range of serious health conditions including: ²
Obesity
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Autoimmune disorders (like Type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease)
Mental health issues (due to the gut-brain connection)
Cardiovascular diseases
I also want to emphasize that leaky gut plays a significant role in food sensitivities. As we’ve discussed, undigested food particles can pass through the compromised intestinal barrier, triggering immune responses and leading to inflammation. Interestingly, infections like Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can increase the antigenic load and interfere with protein breakdown, which may further worsen immune reactions to certain foods. ³
The microbiome and leaky gut: What’s the connection?
Your gut microbiome is crucial for maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier. This collection of gut bacteria influences not only your digestion but also your mood, immune system, and even brain function via the gut-brain axis. ²
It produces short-chain fatty acids’ (SCFAs) that help fuel intestinal cells and maintain barrier integrity.
It acts as a source of essential nutrients like vitamin K, thiamine, and folate.
The microbiome influences distant organs and acts like an endocrine organ, regulating satiety, hormones, mood, and behavior.
The following image provides a great synopsis:
Figure 1: Factors determining intestinal barrier impairment and consequent systemic diseases. ²
Which foods heal leaky gut?
Now this is one question I won’t answer.
Why?
We just learnt that leaky gut can cause food sensitivities. At this point, the healthiest, most nutritious gut-healing food can be your worst enemy and contribute to low-grade inflammation. This awareness means we don’t apply general templates to people but rather do testing to determine food sensitivities together with gut testing to find the imbalances (including H.pylori imbalances) and work from there. No throwing darts in the dark!
If you’re struggling despite ‘normal’ conventional tests, it’s time to take action. Schedule a consultation with me to explore personalized plans that address root causes, not just the symptoms.
Read more from Rupali Lal
Rupali Lal, Functional Nutritionist Specialising in Gut Health
Rupali is a holistic health practitioner dedicated to empowering individuals on their journey to optimal well-being. Her health journey began in pharmacy school with digestive dysfunction. Despite using fiber supplements and probiotics, lasting relief eluded her. A decade later, studying Functional Nutritional Therapy, she realized she had 'normalized her symptoms' and learned 'just because it is common, doesn’t mean it is normal.' Respecting both conventional pharmacy and functional nutrition, Rupali works holistically with clients facing similar challenges. Specializing in functional gut and hormone testing, she meets clients where they are, creating personalized plans to address their unique needs.
References:
[2] Di Vincenzo, F., Del Gaudio, A., Petito, V., Lopetuso, L. R., & Scaldaferri, F. (2024). Gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, and systemic inflammation: A narrative review. Internal and Emergency Medicine, 19(2), 275–293.
[3] Heyman, M., & Desjeux, J. F. (2000). Cytokine-induced alteration of the epithelial barrier to food antigens in disease. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 915(1), 304-311.
