Leaky gut is a condition where the intestinal wall becomes more permeable than usual thus allowing toxins to leak out. It is also known as increased intestinal permeability or intestinal hyperpermeability.
It happens when the tight junctions in the small intestines are not working. The tight junctions are the gateway from the intestines into the bloodstream. When they break down, things like toxins, undigested food, microbes etc are able to pass from the intestines into the blood stream. These foreign invaders are seen by the immune system as pathogens and cause an immune response and inflammation thus worsening symptoms.
Symptoms of leaky gut include: abdominal bloating; stomach cramps; diarrhea; constipation; increased flatulence; skin allergies; joint pains; fatigue; migraine; food allergies; mood changes.
Causes can be: excessive NSAID or antibiotic use; excess alcohol consumption; radiotherapy; type 1 diabetes; infections; celiacs; stress; food sensitivities.
Leaky gut is often seen with the following: lupus; RA; Crohn’s; ulcerative colitis; eczema; psoriasis; fibromyalgia; asthma; IBS; MS; CFS and Lyme.
It is unclear whether these are the cause of leaky gut or if leaky gut is the cause of these conditions. However, they do tend to go hand in hand. There are also links between leaky gut and autism.
Anyone out there with leaky gut symptoms?
Here are some remedies that can help:
Aloe – leaky gut with diarrhea;
Arsenicum – leaky gut with asthmatic presentation;
Belladonna – leaky gut with headache/migraine;
China – leaky gut with abdominal bloating;
Colocynthus – leaky gut with abdominal cramps;
Graphites – leaky gut with skin symptoms;
Kali Phos – leaky gut with fatigue;
Lycopodium – leaky gut with increased fatigue;
Merc-sol – leaky gut with watery stool with blood and mucus;
Nux-vomica – leaky gut with constipation;
Rhus-tox – leaky gut with joint pains.
🙂