How do you heal leaky gut?


Quick Answer

Leaky gut can be healed by taking glutamine and probiotics or combating inflammation by eating more omega-3 fatty acids, according to an article in U.S. News & World Report by holistic nutritionist Yuri Elkaim. Glutamine is an amino acid able to heal the soft tissue of the small intestine. Probiotics reintroduce good bacteria to the gut to restore balance.

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Full Answer

To treat leaky gut, Elkaim suggests eating yogurt or kefir with live or active cultures. Fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, also help restore the balance of the gut.

Elkaim states that leaky gut can develop due to chronic constipation as the toxins in the stool irritate and inflame the intestines, eventually causing the pores of the lining to expand. The other cause is an imbalance of bacteria in the gut; when the bad bacteria outnumber the good, the intestines get inflamed and the pores expand. The open pores allow for small particles of food to leak into the bloodstream, triggering an immune response that causes antibodies to attack both food particles and healthy cells. In the long run, leaky gut can lead to food allergies and autoimmune disorders.

WebMD states that leaky gut can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms are bloating, gas, cramps and food sensitivities, but "leaky gut" is an umbrella term for an unknown diagnosis.

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