How Long Does it Take Your Gut to Heal From a Leaky Gut?

Over time, the tight junctions in your intestines that keep food out of the bloodstream can break down, causing what’s commonly referred to as leaky gut. As a result of food allergens, poor diet, environmental toxins, or stress, these junctions begin to allow undigested food particles into the bloodstream. The body does not recognize hese partially digested foods  as “food” , and creates antibodies to destroy these “foreign” substances.  This  can cause issues like inflammation and sensitivities to “foods” which you used to be able to eat.  . The good news is that there are steps you can take to renew and rebuild  these junctions,  and heal your  leaky gut. 

What Causes Leaky Gut?

Many people eat The Standard American Diet, which includes high intakes of processed foods, refined grains, processed meats, and high-sugar drinks and candies. Our bodies were designed to eat whole foods most of the time, and when we stray from that, our bodies can suffer. Environmental toxins are much more prevalent than they used to be, and they also affect our bodies.  For gluten sensitive individuals, a point can be reached where each exposure to gluten damages the tight junctions of the gut and the body can no longer repair the damage and a leaky gut results.

Chronic inflammatory states like irritable bowel syndrome are associated with leaky gut.  Stress can impact leaky gut syndrome,  because the stress hormones in the body lead the body into dysregulation,   Some signs and symptoms can lead you to discover that you are dealing with a leaky gut. 

Signs of Leaky Gut

While everyone may experience a variety of symptoms when it comes to leaky gut, a few signs are common in most people. People that deal with leaky gut can experience digestive issues, but it’s also not uncommon for them to have skin issues as well.  Bloating, constipation, and chronic diarrhea are three of the top symptoms of leaky gut. When you have a leaky gut, the “partially digested food particles”  enter the bloodstream, impacting the skin. 

Leaky Gut and Nutritional Deficiencies

When you have a leaky gut, your food doesn’t digest properly This can lead to nutritional deficiencies. People with leaky gut have been seen with vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, and other vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Fortunately, when you heal leaky gut, you also start to digest food better, and many of the nutritional deficiencies will resolve. If you need to supplement nutrients, your body will absorb them much better. 

How to Heal Leaky Gut

Healing a leaky gut takes time, which will vary from individual to individual. Avoiding certain foods like grains, carbohydrates, and sugars can help heal your gut. Some people find an elimination diet to be helpful, but working with a functional medicine doctor can often help you pinpoint which foods you should avoid. This can be extremely helpful for healing, as well as consuming healing foods like bone broth, grass-fed meats, and cooked organic  vegetables .

Work With a Doctor that Knows Leaky Gut

If you suspect you are dealing with leaky gut or other digestive issues, working with a knowledgeable functional medicine doctor can make all the difference. We can review your health history, learn about your unique health concerns, and develop a plan to resolve them. Dr. Mashner and his team enjoy helping clients from  the Gulf Shores, Alabama area as well as those from Baldwin and Mobile Counties. Give our office a call today to schedule your first appointment. We can help you on your healing journey!