How To Heal Leaky Gut

by Sara Banta | Dec 26, 2021 | AHP News, Gut Health, Natural Remedies, Supplements

You hear so much talk about gut health and how important maintaining a healthy gut is to your immune system and your health in general. The GUT is known as your “Second Brain.” If your gut is not healthy, your brain is not healthy.

What does a Healthy Gut Look Like?

A healthy gut has abundant beneficial bacteria, limited pathogens (a pathogen is an organism that causes disease) or harmful bacteria, and a strong physical barrier with intact “tight junctions”.

The high abundance of beneficial bacteria is present to limit the overgrowth of unwanted pathogens.

The Role Of Beneficial Bacteria in a Healthy Gut

As opposed to bad bacteria that cause disease, infection, and can lead to illness, beneficial gut bacteria help protect the integrity of the intestinal barrier.

Good gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, that work to help maintain a strong mucosal barrier and help shield the intestinal cell walls from damaging toxins and pathogens.  Furthermore, butyrate can reduce intestinal inflammation and improve barrier function by maintaining the tight junctions that hold intestinal cells together.

What is Leaky Gut?

Through the typical standard American diet and the toxins that we are exposed to every day, many people suffer from what’s called Leaky Gut.

Leaky Gut is where the integrity of the intestinal walls is compromised and holes are formed in those walls. As a result, foreign particles leak into the blood and create a systemic inflammatory response, which then leads to most chronic and auto-immune diseases.

A disruption to the balance of bacteria in the gut, where beneficial microbes become outnumbered by potentially harmful bacteria, is called dysbiosis.

The main causes of dysbiosis are:

  • Stress
  • Antibiotics
  • Pathogens
  • plant poisons
  • Mycotoxins
  • toxins from the environment and food

When the microbial population of the gut becomes unbalanced, unwanted pathogens start to break down the mucosal barrier in the gut lining. If the mucosal barrier is not intact, toxins can migrate towards the intestinal cells, causing damage and creating inflammation.

As the tight junctions loosen and break apart, gaps in the intestinal lining allow toxins to enter circulation.  This process of toxins from the intestines into circulation is called Leaky Gut.

Leaky Gut and Inflammation

Leaky gut is a self-perpetuating problem, affecting at least 50% of “healthy” Americans. It can trigger chronic inflammation throughout the entire body.

This inflammatory cascade starts with a toxin produced within the gut called lipopolysaccharide or LPS. The circulating LPS gets bound by a transfer protein called LPS binding protein or LBP; LBP carries LPS to the CD14-TLR complexes on immune cells, like macrophages and dendritic cells, which then activates the NF-kB inflammatory cascade. Then, the activation of NF-kB increases the production of pro-inflammatory mediators likeTNF@, IL-1BIL-6, and MCP-1.  This is the same sequence that occurs in sepsis, also known as blood poisoning.

Immune cells that become activated by LPS and release pro-inflammatory cytokines exist in all parts of the body and are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.  Therefore, this inflammatory response can occur anywhere in the body including the brain, fat stores, nerves, joints and more.

This inflammation is a breeding ground for a variety of chronic diseases and accelerated aging.  This is why reversing dysbiosis and any damage to the intestinal wall is imperative for optimal health.

Diseases Linked to Leaky Gut

Diseases linked to Leaky Gut include:

  • IBS
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Arthritis
  • ADHD
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Autism
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Hormonal imbalances

If the gut is inflamed, nutrients that you ingest cannot be absorbed.

And, to make matters worse, by eating the wrong foods, such as gluten, bread, pasta, sugar, and cereals, they steal some of the little nutrients you have in your body. They are actually “anti-nutrients!”

Symptoms of Leaky Gut

Symptoms of Leaky Gut can vary, but if you are experiencing issues such as unexplained constipation, joint pain, brain fog, depression, ADHD, bloat, nutrient malabsorption, fatigue, skin breakouts, or rashes, you may well be suffering from a Leaky Gut.

Can Leaky Gut Be Reversed?

If you are suffering from any of the Leaky Gut symptoms, you are not alone. Leaky Gut can be reversed.

I truly believe that every chronic disease is reversible. Through a low-carb diet, intermittent fasting, and the right, high-quality supplements, you can start reducing inflammation throughout the body, heal the gut, and begin the process of healing related chronic disease.

How to Heal Leaky Gut

1 . Switch to a Low Carb Diet

To start the process of healing your Leaky Gut immediately switch to a low carb diet and eliminate sugar, vegetable oils, bread, and processed carbs.
Those foods are inflammatory and create holes in the intestinal lining which lead to the symptoms of Leaky Gut.

When you focus on eating organic green vegetables (not including ones in the sulfur, lectin, or oxalate families), organic wild animal proteins, and add in healthy fats, the inflammatory cascade that causes Leaky Gut is minimized.

The goal is to limit carbs to 20 grams a day. When you prioritize protein and fill it in with healthy fat, you will feel satiated, your blood sugar will stabilize and your appetite will be suppressed.

2. Eliminate Some Vegetables

Most vegetables and plant-based foods contain “poisons” to protect themselves from animals and people.  These elements in the plants can wreak havoc on the gut.

Some people will need to eliminate certain vegetable groups, particularly those containing sulfur, lectins, or oxalates. In some people, these vegetable groups can contribute to a Leaky Gut, as the body sees these plant poisons as a threat.

Lists of vegetables containing sulfur, lectins and oxalates.

Vegetables containing sulfur can cause gut issues. This list includes:

  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Cabbage
  • Onions
  • Garlic

The Lectin family includes:

  • Beans
  • Grains
  • Nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers)
  • Gluten

The oxalates food group includes:

  • Spinach
  • Almonds (and most nuts)
  • Kale
  • Swiss chard
  • Grains
  • Berries

You may need to eliminate all vegetables except asparagus, artichoke, romaine lettuce, celery, and butter lettuce while focusing on wild animal protein to truly heal Leaky Gut.

Once the gut is healed, you can start reintroducing vegetables and then decipher which ones cause bloat, constipation, brain fog, and other negative symptoms.

3. Start Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is defined as reducing your eating window to a 4-8 hour period of the day. This gives your gut a break and allows it to relax and start healing the tight junctions and mucosal lining in the gut.

Fasting will help stabilize your blood sugar and insulin levels, allowing you to have sustained, even energy throughout the day, reduce insulin resistance, decrease gut and systemic inflammation, improve brain fog, and improve sleep.

Supplements to Heal Leaky Gut

1. Accelerated Fast®™

Taking Accelerated Fast®™ daily puts you into a fat-burning mode (ketosis) within 30 minutes, eliminating cravings for sugar and carbs.

As a result of entering ketosis, your body learns to burn its own fat for fuel, reduces the inflammation that comes from sugar and carbs, simplifies intermittent fasting, reverses insulin resistance, and gives you amazing sustained mental and physical energy.

By entering a state of ketosis, your leaky gut is primed for healing.

2. MegaPre™

MegaPre™ is the first Precision Prebiotic™ supplement made up of clinically tested, non-digestible oligosaccharides that can increase microbial diversity and selectively feed beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Bifidobacteria.

MegaPre™ reinforces the beneficial microbial changes created by MegaSporeBiotic™ to promote a strong and diverse microbiome.*

3. MegaSporeBiotic™

MegaSporeBiotic™ is a probiotic blend of 5 Bacillus spores that have been shown to maintain a healthy gut barrier and immune function.

The bi-phasic life cycle of the Bacillus spores allows them to remain dormant in harsh environments until they reach more favorable environments like the human gastrointestinal tract.

Once inside the large intestine, these dormant spores can change into their active, vegetative forms and begin colonizing in the gut.

This unique probiotic blend aims to recondition the gut instead of reseeding with probiotic strains that cannot survive digestion or colonize the gut.

MegaSporeBiotic™ helps control the “bad” bacteria and grow the “good” bacteria.  It has been shown to help with E. Coli, Salmonella, H. Pylori and more.

4. MegaMucosa™

The mucosal system is a very important part of the human immune system. The mucosal system in the intestines contains 150 times more surface area than skin, which makes it an essential element of the immune system that supports healthy immune function.

MegaMucosa is the first complete mucosal support supplement of its kind, formulated to support a healthy mucosal barrier. MegaMucosa™also contains dairy-free immunoglobulins clinically shown to support a healthy immune system in the mucosa and a state-of-the-art flavobiotic shown to support microbial diversity and short-chain fatty acid production.*

MegaMucosa™ includes: Immunoglobulins:  ImmunoLin is a dairy-free immunoglobulin concentrate that supports healthy digestion, detoxification, and intestinal barrier function.

Amino Acids: There are four key amino acids that play an important role in the production of the intestinal mucosa: L-proline, L-serine, L-cysteine, and L-threonine. These four amino acids have been shown to support mucin production and maintain mucin synthesis in the colon, resulting in a thick and healthy mucosal barrier.

Citrus Polyphenols:  MicrobiomeX® is a citrus extract with naturally occurring polyphenols that support digestive health and healthy gut barrier function. A clinical study using 500mg of citrus fruit extract found a significant increase in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) composition, suggesting that citrus polyphenols may help modulate the microbial composition in the gut.

5. Mega IgG2000 

Mega IgG2000 has been shown to reduce gut permeability and improve intestinal absorption. Additionally, serum derived immunoglobulins have a high binding affinity for a variety of endo and exotoxins secreted by microorganisms and mold.

 

Mega IgG2000 is a dairy-free immunoglobulin concentrate that supports healthy digestion, detoxification, and gut barrier function. Unlike other milk-derived immunoglobulins on the market, Mega IgG2000 is derived from bovine serum, making it lactose-free, casein-free, and β-lactoglobulin-free.
This unique alternative to bovine colostrum supports a healthy mucosal immune system by maintaining healthy gut barrier function.

 

 

 

6. RestorFlora  

RestorFlora™ is a probiotic that combines three well-studied and widely used probiotic strains – Saccharomyces boulardii, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus clausii. This combination of clinically studied, friendly probiotic yeast and probiotic bacteria offers comprehensive digestive flora support with an advanced, dual-action approach to maintain a healthy intestinal environment.
Saccharomyces boulardii is well-studied and extensively used for its ability to support digestion and immune function. However, a product containing only S. boulardii has limitations with regards to other probiotic functions. RestorFlora™ represents a significant advancement that overcomes these limitations with the addition of Bacillus subtilis HU58™ and Bacillus clausii SC109. RestorFlora™ has the ability to effectively colonize the digestive tract in order to provide immune support.
Benefits of RestorFlora
  • Supports a balanced intestinal flora
  • Promotes intestinal health
  • Supports healthy bowel movement
  • Aids in digestion
  • Supports the body’s detoxification process
  • Supports healthy immune function
  • Maintains regularity

7. Acceleradine®

Iodine is known to kill parasites, bacteria, and viruses that are not meant to be in the body. Those foreign pathogens could be creating issues that lead to Leaky Gut.

Not only will Acceleradine® help with your gut health, but it will improve your thyroid and metabolism health, help reverse Hashimoto’s, and improve mental clarity. It is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and actually kick out toxins such as fluoride out of the brain which is a contributor to brain fog.

Iodine deficiency is known to be the number one predictor of depression and brain fog.

8. Accelerated Detox Powder®

This organic formula coats the stomach and intestinal lining reduces inflammation, helps with bloat and regularity, and alleviates issues like Crohn’s disease and Colitis. It also soaks up all of the toxins throughout the day that can cause Leaky Gut.

As inflammation is decreased, absorption of nutrients is improved.

9. Laxa Comfort

If you are constipated, toxins are continuously reabsorbed by the system, wreaking havoc on the gut and the health of the whole body.

Constipation is linked to many diseases including:

  • Diverticulitis
  • Kidney Disease
  • Colorectal and Gastric Cancer
  • Ischemic Colitis
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Irritable Bowel Disease

Laxa Comfort gently and naturally stimulates bowel movements. Regardless of how constipated you are, this will make having 2-3 movements a day occur consistently.

10. Accelerated Silver®

Accelerated Colloidal Silver™ is enhancing your immune system’s ability to devitalize foreign pathogens including those that contribute to Leaky Gut.  By keeping the immune system strong, the body engages in anti-inflammatory processes, leading to optimal health.

11. Energy Enhancer Patches

Lifewave Energy Enhancer Patches are proven to:

  • Increase ATP production in the mitochondria
  • Increase Heart Rate Variability
  • Improve the bioelectrical measurement or “phase angle” (integrity of the cell walls)
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Increase endurance

After just 20 minutes, the capacity of each cell increases.

With age, the cell walls become rigid and hard to penetrate with nutrients coming in and toxins going out. The Energy Enhancer Patches soften that cell wall and improve the phase angle within five minutes of applying the patch.

Additionally, the Energy Enhancer Patches improve digestion and circulation, essential for nutrient absorption which becomes severely compromised with Leaky Gut.

Lastly, these healing patches increase beta-oxidation which is the fastest way to increase cellular energy.  As a bonus, it increases fat burning and muscle growth.

12. Ion Gut Health

Ion Gut Health supplement heals Leaky Gut by entering the intestinal lining and providing nutrients to patch up holes in the lining and improve the environment for the microbiome to proliferate in a healthy way.

For more tips and help to heal your chronic health conditions, check out Sara’s Accelerated Health Bites videos or tune in to Accelerated Health Radio and TV.

Sara Banta
Accelerated Health Products | + posts

Sara Banta is a Stanford University Graduate with a Degree in Economics and Psychology, and a certified Natural Supplement Expert & Graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Sara is the Founder of Accelerated Health Products and host of the health & wellness podcast, Accelerated Health Radio.

sara banta blog

Hi, I’m Sara Banta!
I’m a certified natural supplement expert, podcaster, Health Coach, and natural wellness expert. Each week I publish articles on the latest in cutting-edge health supplements and natural health solutions. I also interview leading experts across a wide range of health topics to transform your body, mind & spirit. I’m also the Founder of Accelerated Health Products. Join my mailing list and receive 10% off your first order.

JOIN MY COMMUNITY

BROWSE CATEGORIES

POPULAR ARTICLES