6 Telltale Signs You Suffer From Leaky Gut—And How To Fix It
Feeling anxious, tired, foggy, and with an upset stomach or diarrhea is quite common, but what about when you have a combination of all of these symptoms? If this sounds like you, maybe you should consider that you may be suffering from Leaky Gut Syndrome. Not sure what this means? Keep on reading and discover 6 unmistakable signs of a leaky gut—and how to treat it!
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Contents:
6 Signs that Indicate You Have a Leaky Gut
Defining Leaky Gut
The term “leaky gut” refers to having small fissures in your intestines, from where bacteria, allergens, and other toxins “leak” into your bloodstream, producing inflammation and disease (1). A healthy gut can effectively absorb nutrients from the food you eat due to intestinal permeability (that is, the ability of nutrients to pass into your blood and then be used for many biological processes). When this permeability is increased by fissures in the inner lining of your gut, your body reacts and starts getting inflamed, causing a syndrome called leaky gut.
The Main Causes of Leaky Gut
Today, most scientists still have not agreed on what causes leaky gut exactly, though many of them point out diet, lifestyle, and stress as the main factors. This study, for example, examines how the sugar contained in processed foods and alcohol intake can cause leaky gut (2). Having a deficiency in certain vitamins, like A or D (3), or using medication for extended periods of time (4) can also contribute to the development of leaky gut, together with stress and anxiety (5).
6 Signs that Indicate You Have a Leaky Gut
So, if you’re wondering whether you have increased intestinal permeability or any other digestive disease, here we present you with 6 unmistakable signs that show you suffer from a leaky gut (and how to deal with it!).
1. Constipation, diarrhea, and bloating
When chronic, these signs may be indicators that there’s something wrong with your digestive system, especially with your gut. For example, they are clear symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which has recently been associated with leaky gut (6), particularly when it comes to inflammation and pain.
2. Issues With Your Immune System
When you have increased intestinal permeability, your immune system also suffers and may become unable to fight viruses and bacteria. Many studies have been researching why this happens, reaching different conclusions. This one, for example, suggests that having decreased levels of L-Glutamine as a result of leaky gut can also affect your immune cells and thus, your response when dealing with infection. The good news? You can increase your L-Glutamine levels with our health supplement, Happy Mammoth’s Ultra Absorb L-Glutamine!
3. Skin Problems
Acne and flares are common when your gut is suffering. This is because leaky gut can cause generalised inflammation in your body, making skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis worse (7).
4. Stress, Depression, and Anxiety
Of course, the causes behind these mental illnesses are multiple and complex, and depend on the individual. Yet, some studies have examined the relationship between an unbalanced microbiota and increased permeability and depression, suggesting that gut inflammation plays a role in mental health issues (8).
5. Pain in Your Joints
Yes, your gut problems can also be felt in your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, seems to have a connection with gut issues like dysbiosis - that is, losing beneficial bacteria in your intestines - as suggested by this study (9).
6. Other Symptoms
Other common telltale signs of leaky gut include brain fog, memory loss, headaches, and fatigue (10).
Can You Fix a Leaky Gut?
Luckily, there are many measures you can take to protect your gut and fix potencial fissures you may have. Of course, the first step is to consult with your doctor and discover exactly what you have and how to approach the issue. Meanwhile, you can work towards reducing stress and getting more sleep.
In addition to improving your quality of life, these measures seem to be particularly useful when treating digestive issues. This study, for example, proves that increased melatonin in your body improves many gut conditions (11). Stopping smoking (which provokes inflammation) and not drinking alcohol can also be beneficial for people who have leaky gut.
What About L-Glutamine?
As stated above, increasing your consumption of L-Glutamine can make your gut healthier by decreasing inflammation and repairing your lining. L-Glutamine seems to work as fuel for the cells of the gut, sealing fissures and preventing toxins from going into your bloodstream (11). On the negative side, your body has limited capacity to produce L-Glutamine on its own, so it relies on external supply from your diets and health supplements. This is when Happy Mammoth’s Ultra Absorb L-Glutamine comes to the rescue, as it promotes cell regeneration in your gut lining and prevents further damage caused by leaky gut.
But what dosage should you take? Well, it depends on the presentation. Most supplements come in capsule style and are designed for people who need to recover quickly after workouts, for example. In these cases, the recommended dosage is 1-2 grams of L-Glutamine per day. But this is not enough if you want to heal your leaky gut syndrome.
Instead, we suggest taking 5 grams of our Ultra Absorb L-Glutamine a day (one scoop), with 200-300 mL of water. Always consult with your doctor before starting treatment.
Some other tips to maximise the effects of our L-Glutamine supplement include:
- Don’t take it with food. It’s better to take it 30-45 minutes before meals.
- Avoid hot beverages (use cool water instead).
- Make sure you’re taking the right amount for your gut issues.
Bottom Line
Clearly, leaky gut can produce a myriad of symptoms and be associated with many other conditions that go from autoimmune diseases to anxiety and depression. By improving your gut lining, then, you’ll be getting healthier in all respects! Start by sleeping better, having a balanced diet, and don’t forget to keep your L-Glutamine in healthy levels. Are you ready to start regaining your digestive and overall health? Check out the Complete Gut Repair System, which was formulated to alleviate digestive disorders and repair the gut lining.