Our gut is home to millions of good and bad bacteria living in symbiosis, and gut microbiome refers to the balance of these microorganisms living in the digestive tract. Although the sound of bacteria living in the gut can be scary, having these bacteria is incredibly beneficial to not only gut health, but also vital to improve the overall quality of life. Gut health refers to these balances of good versus harmful bacteria in the stomach, allowing for the digestive system's proper functioning.
WELLNESS
11th of September 2020
Poor Gut Health: What To Do About It
Discover the signs of an unhealthy gut and ways to heal it naturally.
So What Is A Leaky Gut Syndrome?
The gut barrier is maintained by the epithelial cells protein junction, which forms a tight opening for water and nutrients to pass through to support your bodily functions.
A disrupted gut microbiome can weaken the epithelial cells and loosen the junctions. When the intestinal barrier widens, it can cause other substances such as undigested food particles, bacteria, and toxins to leak into the bloodstream. Consequently, an inflammatory immune response can get triggered, leading to autoimmune disease and other digestive disorders due to the changes in the digestive system's normal function.
How To Know If You Have A Leaky Gut?
Leaky gut is not a diagnosable condition at the moment. However, there are some common signs and symptoms to look out for:
- Chronic Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Autoimmune Diseases (AD)
- Widespread inflammation (leading to joint pain and skin issues such as rashes, Eczema, and Rosacea)
The Connection Between Leaky Gut Syndrome And Autoimmune Diseases
An Autoimmune Disease (AD) is a chronic condition whereby the body's immune system attacks itself. It cannot tell the difference between your body's cells and foreign cells, causing tissue damage and chronic inflammation in the body. Extensive research has suggested that AD is incredibly interlinked with Leaky Gut Syndrome.
It's a fine line, but leaky gut can lead to AD and vice versa. It is commonly thought that the inflammatory response due to AD can damage the epithelial junction. But in recent years, increasing evidence also suggests that conversely, a leaked intestinal barrier is one of the main causative factors for AD (some examples are Type 1 Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Celiac Disease, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE).
Learn more about Autoimmune Diseases here.
What Are Other Possible Causes?
Before we dive into other possible risk factors, it is essential to note that we all have a small degree of intestinal wall permeability. It is not supposed to be entirely leak-proof to allow for vital nutrients to pass through. But certain factors can widen the barrier unusually, leading to Leaky Gut Syndrome.
#1 DNA
Firstly, genetic predisposition may play a role here as the DNA can cause an increase in sensitivity towards changes in the digestive system. In individuals with a genetic predisposition, a small change in the gut's environmental factors can easily upset the microbiome's balance, weakening the epithelial cells' junction.
However, emerging research has shown that diet may play an even more significant role in contributing to Leaky Gut Syndrome in the modern world. Which brings us to the second risk factor.
#2 Poor Diet
The standard American diet, which is low in fiber but high in sugar and saturated fats, can decrease the number of good bacteria in the gut, thus disrupting the good:bad bacteria ratio. Besides that, a diet high in sugar also contributes to increased inflammation in the body. Other foods that may trigger intestinal permeability include dairy, simple carbohydrates, and alcohol.
#3 Antibiotics
The use of antibiotics is also one of the leading causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome, and just one course of it can kill billions of friendly bacteria - disrupting the natural balance of the gut. Damage to the intestinal lining can occur when the good bacteria are outnumbered and unable to fight off other organisms' growth, leading to inflammation. In cases where antibiotics' consumption is unavoidable, it is highly recommended by many healthcare professionals to consume probiotics before, during, and after a course of antibiotics to replenish the good bacteria and restore the natural balance of the gut microbiome.
A Change In Diet Can Improve Leaky Gut Syndrome
Now that we know the symptoms and possible risk factors, the next step is to improve or, more importantly, prevent it altogether!
Identify and eliminate the triggers:
The most vital step recommended by most healthcare professionals is to make a change in the diet. This can be done by removing all pro-inflammatory food that is harmful to gut health - such as gluten, dairy, fast food, processed food, GMOs, refined sugars, and alcohol consumption.
Take gluten as an example, people with Celiac Disease (a type of Autoimmune Disease) should avoid gluten in their diet as its presence in the small intestine can trigger the immune system to attack the gastrointestinal tract, leading to inflammation and possible risk of Leaky Gut Syndrome.
Add food that promotes healthy gut:
Opt for food choices that are high in fiber, Probiotics, and Prebiotics in your diet. They can support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and rebuild the gut lining. Examples of these are most green vegetables, grains, yogurt, fermented food such as Kimchi, Miso, and Tempeh. Additionally:
1. Try to avoid “low-fat” yogurt as it typically contains more sugar.
2. Opt for Kimchi with low-sugar content.
Sometimes, taking fermented food may not be sufficient to replenish the natural microbiome balance. After all, we have trillions of good and bad microbes living in symbiosis in the gut! This is where Probiotics and Prebiotics supplements come to the rescue, as studies have shown that both remain the ultimate holy grail to achieve optimal gut health.
Did you know: the daily probiotic consumption dosage is between 1 to 10 Billion Colony Forming Units (CFUs). And here's where you can get the much-needed Pro + Prebiotics:
MOIIVA™ is packed with over 6 Billion CFU of Synbiotics (pro+prebiotics) and is also uniquely formulated with Vitamin C and Lutein to promote a strong, healthy gut! Not only that, but it also helps to enhance nutrient absorption and balance the immune system. This natural gut supplement contains the Probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, which work hand in hand with the Prebiotics Inulin. Together, they help enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and reduce the risk of Leaky Gut Syndrome!
Improve your health further by including MONIVITA™ in your diet - filled with 16 superfoods and superfruits to help promote detoxification of toxins from the body and enhance the digestive system. As for those with genetic predispositions to AD and Leaky Gut Syndrome, MONIVITA™ can help ease the conditions by eliminating the harmful free radicals that can damage our DNA structure and ability to function optimally towards changes in the gut environment.
Who says that gut food has to be boring? Both of these - MOIIVA™ and MONIVITA™ - are healthily yummy; even picky eaters and kids will love it!
Together, as the name suggests, The Immunity Duo helps keep the immune system and gut health checked. So take charge of your health today, the natural and delicious way!
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By Tammy
