Leaky Gut: What IS It?
by Rochelle Griffin
In the perfect world, our body works just as it was designed to…flawlessly. Unfortunately we live in an imperfect world, and our body often breaks down…showing signs before we even realize it. Sometimes this happens in the form of what’s called “leaky gut.”
Leaky WHAT?!?!?
Yep, leaky gut. Sounds weird, huh?
You know a garden hose? Picture it with several small holes in it, so water comes out where it shouldn’t. Leaky gut works in a similar way. It’s when your intestines allow particles to filter through to your bloodstream before they should…IF they should at all.
This can happen when your mucosal barrier that lines the intestines becomes weakened and breaks down, allowing things into your blood that it typically wouldn’t.
Your mucosal barrier is like your second skin. The skin on the outside of your body prevents invaders from entering your body…and if there’s a break in the skin, you have to be careful to not get an infection. Likewise your intestinal mucosal barrier prevents invaders from entering your body from the inside.
When food particles “leak” into the blood before they are fully broken down, your body perceives them as invaders that shouldn’t be there. Your immune system kicks in & attacks them, causing inflammation…along with a host of other issues over time.
When other things that normally aren’t leaked into the blood are allowed to pass through…like yeast or bacteria for example, they can cause significant immune system activity and problems.
Interestingly enough many people can have leaky gut and not know it. I was one of those people. Be the time I discovered it, I already had a host of food sensitivities and a gut in the state of shutting down.
Have no fear though. It is possible to heal from this, but it will take time. Leaky gut doesn’t happen overnight and it won’t heal overnight.
So first how do you know if you even have leaky gut?
Signs that you may have leaky gut include:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Fatigue
- Diagnosis of Chronic fatigue or Fibromyalgia
- Depression
- Food sensitivities
- Skin rashes
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Seasonal allergies
- Hormonal imbalance
As you can see, gastrointestinal symptoms are only a few of the diverse signs of leaky gut. Often this surprises people…it sure did me.
If you have any of the signs or are in the throws of adrenal fatigue, it’s important to have a mucosal barrier test…a simple saliva test that you can do in your own home. (This is something that I’m able to provide to my clients.)
How do you heal leaky gut?
1. You have to remove the invaders. Remember these may be specific foods, bacteria, parasites, and/or yeast that are causing the damage as they are leaked through. (A stool test can reveal pathogens and a blood test can reveal food sensitivities. Again, these are tests that I can provide to my clients.)
2. Once you’ve removed the offenders, you then have to repair the gut lining with a healing gut protocol involving a healthy diet, probiotics, enzymes, glutamine, supplements, and sometimes prescription medications. Yep, there’s definitely a time and place for a medical physician.
Look…would you cut yourself and not tend to the cut? Of course not! That just sounds silly. Neosporin and a bandaid to the rescue. Likewise, why would you allow a leaky gut to continue to cause health problems, which can worsen over time? Get to the root cause of what’s going on and start to heal yourself. Your health is worth it. YOU, my friend, are worth it.
To Living Your Best Life,
Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P
Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.
She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.
PS. If you found this post to be of any value to you, please COMMENT below!
Where are you located ? I’m 90%sure I have the gut leaky thing
Dee, I serve clients all over the US and Canada. If that describes you, we can work together! Head to http://rochellegriffin.com/fdn and book a consultation to get started. 🙂
Can you email me how much your consultations cost and the testing please?
Hi Kathy! You can get more info and book your consultation at http://rochellegriffin.com/fdn 🙂
I have had constant fatigue, dizziness and a chronic antibiotic resistant UTI for almost 4 years. I am still on a journey to health. I believe it all started from the continued use of antibiotics so I am pretty sure I have Leaky Gut. No MD has completed any formal testing other than my blood, which looked normal. I am currently on a 90% raw food diet and have been obsessed with healing my body for that past few years. Loved your post! Would love to speak with you about this!! Not really open to taking pharmaceuticals. Do you use natural remedies as well?
Lori, I only use natural products. Prescription meds is outside of my scope of practice. Just based on what you’ve said thus far, I’m sure you’re dealing with yeast in the least.
Maybe that’s what is wrong with me, I have all of those things and more. I could sleep for a year and still be tired. At 42 I should not feel so burnt out all the time. There has to be something I can do?
The first thing would be to set up a consultation with me. We’ll go deep into what’s going on with you and I’ll look for clues into which test would be appropriate for you. No at 42, you shouldn’t feel that way…and you don’t have to continue to. 🙂
Rochelle,
This is a great article! I am 41 and truly wish I would have known about all of the healthy stuff when I was younger. I am about 70 lbs overweight and feel like I am 80. I am so tired all of the time, I can’t stay focused and constantly having muscle, neck and back issues. I’m on meds for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and hypothyroidism. I want to exercise daily but I hurt so much and feel exhausted!
I need a rescuer.
Crystal, I so understand. I strongly suggest that you schedule a consultation with me so we can talk in depth. You don’t have to feel this way. 🙂
I have All those symptoms and more..Plus. its been.hard to lose weight. Plzzz Help!
Leah, schedule a consultation so we can talk in-depth with what you’re dealing with. That is the first step. Then a plan can be made. 🙂
Hi Rochell I’m in Australian who here can help?
I know leaky gut is the root of all my health issues. I the biggest issue is my diagnosis of MS. Please help before I just give up