Leaky gut syndrome: 12 common signs that indicate your gut may be in trouble

At Integrative Health Matters, we frequently discuss leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut is associated with dozens of related conditions and diseases.

Poor diet choices, chronic stress, toxic overload and bacterial imbalance all contribute to the prevalence of leaky gut in our country.

Why should leaky gut syndrome concern you? Recently a leaky gut has been called a “danger signal for autoimmune disease.” You may be well on your way to serious digestive health issues and not even be aware of it. If you’re wondering if you may be experiencing leaky gut, the first thing to do is assess your symptoms.

Here are 12 common signs that your gut may be in trouble:

1. Bloating, gas or other post-meal discomforts.

2. Frequent yeast infections.

3. Losing weight is hard no matter what you do.

4. You have a constant sweet tooth.

5. Your immune system is compromised.

6. Chronic Irritable Bowel Syndrome and/or diarrhea.

7. Frequent acid reflux, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), heartburn, etc.

8. You crave bread and other carbohydrates.

9. Chronic constipation.

10. Autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, Hashimoto’s, Graves; disease, celiac, lupus, etc.

11. Food allergies, intolerances or sensitivities.

12. Chronic skin inflammation such as acne, eczema or psoriasis.

If you’re struggling with any of these GI issues, remove processed foods — including added sugar, GMOs, refined oils, synthetic additives and conventional dairy products. You also should limit your red meats and animal protein in general.

A gut healing diet includes:

• Bone broth.

• Raw cultured dairies like kefir, yogurt, grass-fed butter and cheese.

• Dairy alternatives like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk and vegan cheese.

• Fermented vegetables, probiotic supplements and probiotic foods.

• Sprouted seeds (like chia seeds, flaxseeds and hemp seeds).

• Foods with omega-3 fatty acids, especially salmon and other wild-caught fish.

• Fresh organic veggies, fruits, sea veggies and superfoods.

• Consider a more plant-based diet.

• Apple cider vinegar.

• More alkaline-forming foods.

• Nutrient-dense, antiinflammatory foods like wild-caught salmon, lamb, free-range organic chicken and grass-fed beef (in moderation).

• Attempts to reduce stress.

If you experience one or more of the symptoms on a regular basis, your gut is probably out of whack and in need of some intervention that you cannot do on your own.

Our team at Integrative Health Matters looks at the root cause of all of these symptoms and treats you from the inside out. Call us at 903-595-8077 or contact us at info@ihm.life and let us help you relieve your issues and get you back to optimal health with health coaching, supplement recommendations and specific tests which could greatly benefit your health.