What causes Leaky Gut Syndrome? Scientists aren’t positive- could be Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, or any number of autoimmune disorders.
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS), also called intestinal hyperpermeability, is a breach in the barrier that lines the intestinal tract. Leaky Gut causes damage to your digestive system, making it difficult for your body to digest nutrients, in addition to “leaking” bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles from your intestines and into the rest of your body.
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What causes Leaky Gut?
Scientists aren’t clear what exactly causes Leaky Gut Syndrome, but they have noted some strong correlations; conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, and gluten intolerance have a cyclical relationship with LGS, causing symptoms that cause further damage to the intestines, thus making Leaky Gut Syndrome even harder to control. Leaky Gut could result from a chronic disease, or it may signal the onset of life-threatening illness such as AIDS.
What are the symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Doctors are hesitant to diagnose Leaky Gut Syndrome; it hasn’t yet been fully accepted as part of conventional medicine, and there are multitudes of seemingly unrelated illnesses that are theorized as being linked with Leaky Gut Syndrome. Not surprisingly, most doctors choose to treat each symptom separately, and rarely get to the root of the illness that might be LGS.
Below are some common symptoms associated with Leaky Gut Syndrome:
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Multiple joint pain
- Muscular soreness
- Headaches
- Chronic fatigue
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Skin rash
- Chronic allergies
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What diseases and are associated with Leaky Gut Syndrome?
- Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, or pernicious anemia
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Chronic depression
- Arthritis
- Psoriasis
- Acne
- Hives
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreatic disease
- Jaundice
- Hepatitis
- Unexplainable infections
- AIDS
What can I take for Leaky Gut Syndrome?
If you are diagnosed with Leaky Gut Syndrome, your doctor might advise one or more of the following:
- Glutamine
- N-acetyl cysteine
- Zinc
- Vitamin B12 supplements
Long-term lifestyle changes are effective at preventing further occurrences of Leaky Gut Syndrome, including restrictive diet for Leaky Gut, probiotics, alcohol moderation, and weaning off non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Read more about autoimmune diseases and vitamin B12 deficiency:
Lupus and Vitamin B12 Deficiency- What’s the Connection?
Dressing after Crohn’s Surgery- 5 Post- Ostomy Fashion Tips
On the Run with Crohn’s? 6 Ways to Ease Public Restroom Anxiety
Sources:
Do You Have Leaky Gut Syndrome?