Leaky Gut Syndrome - Its More Common Than You Think

1. Low Energy/Chronic Fatigue
2. Weight gain/Belly Fat
3. Digestion issues like Constipation, Bloating, IBS
4. Poor Concentration
5. Lack of Motivation
6. Chronic Inflammation
7. Headaches
8. Skin issues, like acne, rosacea, and eczema
9. Hormone Imbalances
10. Anxiety, depression, ADD & ADHD

Poor Gut Health – a porous, stressed out, inflamed digestive lining can let many unwanted foreign substances into the bloodstream resulting in this new phenomenon known as “Leaky Gut Syndrome.”  

Poor Diet – Sugar, Refined Carbs, Saturated Fat, Aspartame, MSG, Food Allergies, Alcohol, and even overeating are have been shown to increase inflammation. Sugar and refined carbs can spike insulin levels – triggering the release of proinflammatory cytokines as well as switch Omega-6 fatty acids to a pro-inflammatory state.

Overstressed Immune System - Chronic inflammation happens when the body sends an inflammatory response to a perceived threat that does not require an inflammatory response (such as in Leaky Gut Syndrome). The white blood cells have nothing to do and nowhere to go, and sometimes the eventually start attacking internal organs or other tissues and cells. It can also occur when after an infection or illness, the proinflammatory neutrophils necessary to fight the infection are not completely replaced by anti-inflammatory monocytes that promote healing.

Lack of Sleep – Inflammatory cytokines are secreted at a higher rate by those who have insomnia, compared to those who do not. During sleep, the body restores and heals and the immune system calms down. Lack of restorative sleep increases inflammation levels in the body.

Fat Cells – Fat cells secrete proinflammatory cytokines and histamines. The more fat cells you have – the more potential you have for increased inflammation. Fat-Soluble toxins such as pesticides, pollutants, preservatives, food additives and heavy metals can end up being stored in fat cells when the digestive process is impaired and/or there is insufficient fiber in the diet (which absorbs bad fats that carry such toxins). The more fat cells being stored in the body, the more toxins are being secreted continuously into the bloodstream – causing issues such as inflammation, fatigue, headaches and other health issues.

Stress – Chronic stress, or stressing about stress, can change the gene activity of immune cells to be pro-inflammatory – even when there is no infection or trauma to fight. It can also interfere with the transition of neutrophils to monocytes after an illness – sabotaging the switch from inflammation to healing.

Aging – The natural process of cellular division and the use of energy results in the production of free radicals. Free radicals, when not taken care of by an adequate amount of antioxidants, cause damage to cells and tissue – triggering an inflammatory response.

"Before chronic desease, there is inflammation; but before inflammation comes gut dysfunction.  Anti-inflammation treatments help, but gut repair corrects the problem right at its source." ~ Alejandro Junger, M.D., NYT Bestselling Author & Gut Health Specialist