Nutritionist Resource
=X
Log out Welcome back log in join us
-
  • Home
  • Nutrition topics
  • FAQs
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Your stories
Welcome !
Members AreaLog out
Log inJoin us
  • Home>
  • Articles>
  • Could leaky gut be the root cause of your health issues?

Could leaky gut be the root cause of your health issues?

Susan Woodward (Replenish Nutrition), Dip CNM mBANT rCNHC
by Susan Woodward (Replenish Nutrition), Dip CNM mBANT rCNHC, listed nutritionist
19th April, 2018
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Bookmark
19th April, 2018
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Bookmark

Symptoms are not necessarily connected to the location they are associated with. So, if you have asthma or eczema, the root cause may not be located in your lungs or skin. Most symptoms originate from a systemic imbalance and, often, that imbalance will be in the gut/gastrointestinal tract. This can even be true for those with no obvious digestive problems.

If you do have obvious digestive symptoms such as reflux, gas, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhoea it is likely you may have got a diagnosis of IBS and possibly some medication to reduce your symptoms but this is just addressing the symptoms and not the root cause!

Whilst many of us know that a properly functioning digestive system is essential for the correct absorption of nutrients from food, you may not be aware the gut contains 70% of our immune system, a massive neural network that produces 90% of body’s serotonin (a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, sleep and relaxation) and houses 10 times more bacterial cells than actual body cells and is why scientists are now referring to the gut as the second brain!

So when things start to go wrong with our gastrointestinal tract it may cause widespread symptoms throughout the body.

So what might be going wrong with the gut?

Malabsorption of nutrients due to damaged intestinal cells.
The small intestines absorb nutrients from our food. However, due to food intolerances, stress, medications, bacterial overgrowth and low stomach acid, the micro villi can get damaged and are no longer able to effectively absorb nutrients which can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, even if you are eating a good diet.

Low stomach acid and pancreatic enzymes.
Stomach acid is especially important for protein digestion and absorption of B12 and other nutrients. It is also our first line of defence in killing pathogens that come into our body via the food we eat. Pancreatic enzymes are important for fat, carbohydrate and protein digestion and help gall bladder function.

Leaky gut or increased gut permeability
The lining of the digestive tract works as a protective barrier that keeps unwanted particles from entering our blood stream. If this barrier gets damaged then particles (like bad bacteria, proteins like gluten, partially digested food particles and toxic waste) that normally cannot pass through, now can and this may lead to inflammation, food intolerances and immune system overwhelm.

Microflora imbalance or dysbiosis.
Is when there is an imbalance between the beneficial and pathogenic (harmful) bacteria in the gut. Many things can contribute to this imbalance; C-section births, not being breast-fed, overuse of antibiotics and certain prescription drugs, poor diet, stress, alcohol, smoking, to name a few. Dysbiosis is now believed to be a contributing factor to many chronic and degenerative diseases such as: IBS, IBD, chronic fatigue syndrome, auto-immune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and hashimoto’s.

What can we do to heal the gut?

Follow a four Rs gut healing protocol, the functional medicine approach to healing the gut.

1. Remove pathogens via a herbal cleanse. Remove foods that feed pathogen, create inflammation and contribute to leaky gut.

2. Restore healthy digestive function via support of pancreatic enzymes and stomach acid.

3. Repair the gastrointestinal mucosal lining with specific nutrients.

4. Reinoculate with beneficial bacteria to rebalance gut flora.

Always work with an experienced nutritional therapist who can not only guide you through this protocol but develop a personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan that is tailored to your unique symptoms, circumstances and health conditions.


References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4259177/
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-human-microbiome-project-defines-normal-bacterial-makeup-body
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367209/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23147033
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19112401
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5440529/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15253677
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1295753
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21070397
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/221098

Digestive problems
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Nutritionist Resource is not responsible for the articles published by members. The views expressed are those of the member who wrote the article.

Susan Woodward (Replenish Nutrition), Dip CNM mBANT rCNHC

About Susan Woodward

Susan Woodward is a Registered Nutritional Therapist with clinics in Fenchurch Street and Crouch End.

Susan specialises in supporting Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ME, Fibromyalgia, Digestive and Hormonal health. Rather than look at symptoms in isolation, Susan’s focus is on identifying and supporting underlying imbalances in the body.… Read more

Located in London.

Can also offer telephone / online appointments.

To book an appointment, please get in contact:

View profileEmail meCall me07769908067
Brits embarrassed about IBS How to avoid the episodes of cravings
Bookmarks (-)
Search for a nutritionist near you
advanced search

Related articles View all

Digestive problems Stress Weight management Nutrition and mental health
What is a healthy gut microbiome and how do I get one?
What is a healthy gut microbiome and how do I get one?
By Charlotte Turner
Firstly, you may be asking what is a microbiome? Let us start by removing the jargon....
Digestive problems
Suffering from anxiety, painful periods or low immunity? Your poor gut health might be to blame
Suffering from anxiety, painful periods or low immunity? Your poor gut health might be to blame
By Hayley Down, Hayley Down Nutrition, Bsc (Hons), DipNT, mANP, rGNC.
Did you know that we each have roughly around 40 trillion bacteria inside our bodies,...
Digestive problems Nutrition and mental health
Could my digestive symptoms be linked to my depression?
Could my digestive symptoms be linked to my depression?
By Melody Mackeown
It may not seem obvious that your digestive health is linked to your mental health, but...
More information
  • Home
  • About us
  • Legal terms
  • Cookie policy
  • Privacy notice
  • Browse by region
  • Press Centre
  • Links
  • Site map
  • Help
Connect With Us:
  • Nutritionist Resource
  • Building 3, Riverside Way
  • Camberley, Surrey
  • GU15 3YL
  • Membership Services Team:

    0333 325 2504 *

  • Contact us
  • Copyright © 2019 Site by Memiah Limited
  • * Calls to 03 numbers cost the same as calling an 01 or 02 number and count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls.

Healthy ideas that change the world

Get our free monthly e-magazine straight to your inbox

Find out more at happiful.com

Happiful magazine cover
Before using our site, please take a moment to review our Privacy Notice and Cookies policy. By continuing to use this site we'll assume you agree to both.
Ok