If you don’t know what leaky gut is, don’t worry, there’s still some discussion on whether it’s a real. According to proponents, it occurs when the permeability of the gut increases, thus allowing even more than just nutrients and water to exit, but also harmful substances. That allows toxins to enter the bloodstream and creates a host of symptoms that range from fatigue, inflammation, skin issues and digestive problems that range from food sensitivity to bloating and gas. It’s blamed for a host of conditions which include migraines, fibromyalgia, thyroid problems, mood swings and autism. There are things you can do and supplements for leaky gut if you believe you have the condition.
What could possibly cause leaky gut.
To make matters even more confusing, not only do doctors disagree whether it actually occurs, but those that consider it a viable diagnosis disagree on exactly what causes it. Some believe it’s genetic. Others say a number of other things may exacerbate it, such as eating too much sugar or taking NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, too frequently. Excess alcohol intake, deficiencies in vitamins A, D and zinc, inflammation throughout the body, stress, poor gut health and yeast overgrowth are other possible causes. It could come from a combination of these things.
Before you supplement, try these simple things.
Cut out sugar and limit the amount of refined carbs you eat. Eat foods that are fermented. High fiber foods are also considered beneficial, particularly those that are high in soluble fiber. Limit the amount of pain relievers you use, such as ibuprofen or other NSAIDs. It’s all about improving your gut health.
If you want to supplement, look toward probiotics or prebiotics.
Improving gut health is the best way to approach any digestive problem. Probiotic supplements can prove beneficial. Prebiotics, the substance that feeds friendly microbes, is also another supplement that can improve the health of your gut. Good gut health is important, since the microbes actually provide the nutrients you need. They keep the bad microbes at bay. Besides probiotics, digestive enzymes, such as lipase, protease, lactase and amylase can aid the digestive process. If you eat high fiber food, you don’t have to take it as a supplement, but that helps too. Collagen, hydrochloric acid, and the amino acid, l-glutamine, can also help reduce inflammation, support healing and help digest foods.
- Not only is sugar a potential villain in leaky gut, it increases the amount of fungi or yeast in your body. The more they increase, the more you’ll crave sugar, compounding the problem even further.
- Some supplements, such as licorice root have been used for their digestive benefits for centuries by the Chinese. It’s also helpful for leaky gut.
- Supplements that reduce inflammation, such as fish oil, which is one of the best anti-inflammatories, can help heal leaky gut. Other food, like flaxseed oil, which is also in the anti-inflammatory Omega3 is another good a option.
- If you have to take an antibiotic, always make sure you use a probiotic to get your gut health back to normal. Antibiotics not only kill bad germs, but also beneficial ones. Choose food like sauerkraut, kim chi and yogurt.
For more information, contact us today at Next Level Fitness