How to Heal Leaky Gut Syndrome

In this series, we've looked at the loss of function with Leaky Gut Syndrom (LGS) and its causes. In this third Leaky Gut Syndrome article, we will discuss approaches to healing LGS.  While LGS is very common and can lead to many chronic diseases including autoimmune disease, the good news is that it can usually be healed through a four-step process.

REMOVE

To successfully heal LGS you must first remove any factors that irritate or damage the gut.  This involves identifying and removing foods you have become intolerant or sensitive to.  The longer you have had LGS, the more extensive this list will be.  While blood tests are available for food sensitivities, the most economical and reliable method is to follow a food elimination diet.  There are also foods that are hard to digest and must be avoided while healing the gut even if you may not have an intolerance to them.  These include wheat, all gluten containing foods (ex. many commercial sauces), soy, cow’s milk/cheese, sugar and highly processed foods (ex. ones containing preservatives, artificial flavors and colors).

Other potential causes of LGS that must be identified and removed to the extent possible include toxins, harmful bacteria or yeast, and some prescription medications (like aspirin and NSAIDS). However, do not eliminate any medications you have been placed on by your physician without first consulting them.

REPLACE

The next step is to replace the foods that were irritating or damaging the gut with healing foods. The most successful approach we have used incorporates the following foods:

REPAIR

This is where high quality supplements are important.  The most important supplements for healing LGS include L-Glutamine, digestive enzymes, NAG, DGL, vitamin-A, aloe vera, zinc, and quercetin.  These ingredients have the following benefits:

L-Glutamine – This is probably the most critical supplement in healing LGS. It is an essential amino acid, an anti-inflammatory, and the primary fuel source for enterocytes of the small intestines.  This is a great supplement for growth and repair of the intestinal lining.

Digestive enzymes – These help ensure food is fully digested, providing more nutrition and reducing the chances that partially digested foods damage the gut wall and/or feed unhealthy bacteria.

NAG (N-acetyl D-Glucosamine) – This is a mucin precursor that has been shown to increase the production of mucus in the GI tract, which has a protective effect.

DGL (Deglycyrrhized Licorice) – This helps maintain the mucosal lining and balance cortisol levels. This is important if emotional stress is a contributor to LGS.

Aloe vera – This helps promote a normal inflammatory response.

Vitamin A – This has antioxidant properties which help prevent inflammation, provide immune support, and play a role in healing and tissue regrowth.

Zinc – This has been widely recognized for its role in gut health by helping strengthen tight junctions to seal the gut.

Quercetin – Has been shown to improve gut barrier function by sealing the gut through supporting the creation of tight junction proteins. It can also stabilize mast cells and reduce the release of histamine, which is important with food intolerances.

REBALANCE

This step is accomplished through the use of probiotics. It is extremely important to take a high-quality probiotic to replenish good bacteria and crowd out bad bacteria and candida.  Many people fail at healing LGS because they either take a poor-quality probiotic, low strength probiotic, or discontinue the probiotic too soon.

We have mentioned a lot of supplements to heal LGS.  The product recommendations below combine many of these supplements into a few products, making them much less expensive and easier to take. Omega-3 supplement like OrthoMega 820 or EPA/DHA Essentials are not included below because you should already have them in your core daily supplements.

This is a very effective but general guide to healing LGS.  However, please remember that every person is unique and may require a slightly different approach.  If you hit obstacles or need help along the way, don’t forget about our coaching programs.

Vitopia supplement recommendations for healing LGS include the following. All are available in our store:

• GlutaShield – This product is at the core of strengthening the gut barrier. It includes L-Glutamine, DGL, Aloe Vera, NAG, and Zinc.
• Quercetin
• Digestive Enzymes Ultra
• Ortho-Biotic – We recommend starting with this probiotic when healing LGS. While it may be lower in some strains than some other products, it contains Saccharomyces Boulardii, which is beneficial in healing LGS.

Make sure to check out our in-depth articles on preventing and healing chronic diseases utilizing a Functional Medicine approach.

Want to receive the most current scientific information on preventing and treating chronic disease? Sign up for our distribution list.

Wishing you optimal health and vitality!

Mike Woodley, R.Ph., FAARM, FMNM