Last week I wrote about why elimination diets are not a cure for food allergies and sensitivities. The information might have been a huge disappointment for those who felt living gluten-free was going to be the cure for all ailments. I hate being the bearer of bad news, so today I want to tell you how to heal your leaky gut. What’s a leaky gut you ask?
Great question!
If your child has food sensitivities or allergies, seasonal allergies, recurring ear infections, or poor immune function (among other symptoms listed below) it may mean the digestive tract is “leaky.”
Common Symptoms Associated with a Leaky Gut (source
Allergies
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune disease
Cancer treatments
Celiac Disease
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Constipation
Crohn’s disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Diarrhea
Eczema
Ear Infection (recurring)
Environmental illness
Food sensitivities/allergies
Gas
Indigestion
Parasite
Poor immune function
Hives
Hyperactivity
Intentional infection
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Learning and behavior problems
Malabsorption/malnutrition
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
Psoriasis
Skin rashes
Shortness of breath
Ulcerative colitis
What is a Leaky Gut?
The term “leaky gut” is the name used for a highly permeable gut lining. Our digestive tracts are meant to serve as a protective barrier between our blood stream and the food we eat. When the digestive tract is functioning properly it allows fully digested fats, proteins and carbohydrates into our blood stream to be used by the body. When the digestive tract becomes worn down by factors such as; frequent antibiotic use, chronic stress, environmental toxins, processed food, or infection due to fungi, bacteria or parasites—the gut lining gets tired and weak.
Factors that Contribute to a Leaky Gut
Frequent antibiotic use (learn how to restore gut health after antibiotics)
Chronic stress
Environmental toxins
Processed foods
Parasites
Bacterial infections
Fungal overgrowth (candida, yeast)
What Happens When the Gut Gets TIRED?
When the gut lining gets weak, it starts allowing larger, undigested food particles into the blood stream. I write in very simple terms here on the Kula Mama website, but if you are interested in a more detailed explanation go here and here. Over time the immune system gets confused about the undigested food particles floating around and starts launching immune responses against certain foods. If left unchecked, additional immune responses happen to a greater number of foods and eventually autoimmune disease develops. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? But wait, there’s hope! You can heal a leaky gut with time and a gut healing protocol. Here are 10 ways to heal a leaky gut.
10 Ways to Heal a Leaky Gut*
Chew Food Completely
This very simple act has an enormous impact on our digestion. We start digesting food in the mouth so the more work your teeth do, the less work the stomach and intestines have to do down below. For a child with a compromised digestive tract, chewing food completely helps enormously. If your child has a hard time chewing well, consider blending foods when possible during the healing phase.
Eliminate Offending Foods
I know, I know—my previous post said elimination diets will not cure food allergies (or a leaky gut) and while they don’t cure them alone; elimination diets are the cornerstone of a healing protocol. Why? Because removing offending foods during the healing phase reduces overall inflammation. The body can’t heal if it’s constantly inflamed and reacting to food.
Digestive Enzymes
Food allergies and sensitivities often arise because of inadequate digestive enzymes. The body simply does not produce the enzymes needed to fully break down food. To encourage better digestion, gentle digestive enzymes
Pre and Pro-biotics
I know I sound like a broken record, but a healthy digestive tract requires a balance of good bacteria in the gut. Eating fermented food and drink, or taking a probiotic supplement
Seal the Digestive Tract
To repair leaky gut damage the digestive tract needs to be “sealed” to decrease intestinal permeability. You can do this by increasing the consumption of gelatinous foods like homemade bone broth and adding grass fed gelatin products like this
Check for Underlying Parasite, Fungus or Infection
The digestive tract can’t heal if there is a bug running around causing all sorts of damage! Before embarking on a gut healing protocol, make sure to check for underlying an parasite, fungus, or infection first.
De-stress
Stress actually decreases the body’s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients. When a person is under stress (whether due to a stressful environment or a stressed mind), the body automatically turns on the sympathetic nervous system and kicks into “survival mode” by increasing heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. At the same time, the body shuts down all biological systems not needed for immediate survival, including digestion and the body’s healing mechanisms. Simply put, our state of mind directly affects both our digestion and our ability to heal so learning to manage stress is very important to healing.
SLEEP
Do you know the body repairs and heals while we sleep? It’s true! During sleep our body is working hard to detoxify, balance hormones and repair. When we get poor quality sleep or too little sleep it takes an enormous toll on our health. In fact, we will actually DIE if we go too long without sleep so give your body the help it needs and make sure to get 8-10 hours of sleep a night.
Find a Functional Medical Practitioner
Each of us is biochemically different and the healing protocol that works for me, won’t necessarily work for you. When healing from a leaky gut and leaky gut syndrome, it’s important to have the proper functional blood tests done first to establish your own personal baseline. Working with a functional medical practitioner will also help to create a personalized healing protocol specific to your individual needs.
Be Patient
Healing the digestive tract takes time so have patience. It took time to develop a leaky gut, and it will take time to repair it. Know every change you make brings you closer to health and healing. Celebrate all the healthy changes you are making and know you are on your way towards stronger digestion…step by step!
*For those with anaphylactic allergies (such as peanuts) working with a functional medical practitioner is imperative. For these types of food allergies a cure may not be possible, however, by implementing a gut healing protocol you may be able to reduce the severity of the allergy.
Do you or your child suffer from a leaky gut? What healing protocol have you found helpful? Tell me in the comments below!
How can you find out if it is a fungus or parisite and if so how do you get rid of it?
Hi Noelle, there are tests for each. You should work with a naturopath or doctor who practices functional medicine and can do the correct tests. I wrote something about fungus/yeast here: https://kulamama.com/holistic-remedies-for-candida/
And finding a functional doctor here: https://kulamama.com/how-to-become-a-medical-detective/
Best of luck to you!! Thanks for reading!
My 8 month old has eczema like patches. All he has eaten is avacado and a few veggies (and is breastfed). He developed this when he started eating food. Is it possible he can already have a compromised system so young? I am having issues with my gallbladder and am down to only 4 foods I can eat, and have doubled up on prenatal vitamins to help with that. Am I hurting his system, thus causing his eczema? How would I find out? I don’t want surgery, but can’t find a good natural doctor. The nearest functional medicine doc is 3 hours away and charges $675 for the first visit! I’ve been talking to a natural doc in another state but she leans heavily on supplements which she sells, and of course disagrees with any other natural advice i find from other natural paths. What do you do in this situation where no one in the natural minded field agrees with another, yet your health has deteriorated to the point you can’t take care of your child properly, and may be affecting his health?
I had a doctor tell me to take the probiotic Align for my gallbladder problems and eliminate foods from the nightshade family. I did both and have had no problems since. Also flax seed tea is great for gallbladder attacks.
Hello what kula mama says is true. Seal the gut, rotate foods, make your own food, stay away from common sensitive foods wheat barley oats rye dairy for 6 months to a year then try them again and see if you can tolerate them. She is a good resource. We have to heal ourselves with healing foods and thoughts and friends. I wish you all good things. Love Melanie
Hello, I have been coughing up munus every morning for years now & can’t get handle on it. Once I cough several deep times every morning really deep I seem to be ok still clear my throat thu out day but not coughing up munus. Any ideas why my body is making this sticky stuff? And what I could do to get rid of it? Thank you
Karen, this sounds like you have some inflammation going on. Perhaps from something you are eating. I would try an elimination diet and see if it resolves. http://wholelifenutrition.net/books/elimination-diet
My son had eczema patches the day he was born. He is now almost 3 and still has terrible eczema. Would it still point to a leaky gut if he was born with it?
Summer, yes absolutely. Kids are born with a more permeable digestive tract–in a healthy individual the digestive tract will strengthen as they age. If your son has eczema he will need more help healing his digestive tract as he ages.
Hi there, this was such an informative article. My 4 year old daughter and I had food poisoning back in January, now almost every time we eat she complains of a stomach ache. The pediatrician said that her stomach lining got stripped and it would take time to heal. Plus, she’s got eczema and a wheat sensitivity. I’ve noticed since the food poisoning her eczema seems to flare so I’m going to follow your gut healing protocol. What is the recommended dosage for the digestive enzymes and the gelatin (just got both of them in from amazon today.)
Thank you!
Tanya
Hello, im currently trying to heal my gut on a bone broth and vegetable soup diet from what could be leaky gut, ive been diagnosed with the parasites Entamoeba histolytica but told that with the state of my gut i cant take any herbs or anything i just have to try to balance the good bacteria and push the parasites out naturally. Do you agree? it feels scary just relying on diet i wonder how i will heal while their still inside me! Would love your perspective! thanks
Hi Elsie, I think working with a functional doctor would be a good place to start. Here’s a link to find a doc near you: https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
Are enzymes dangerous to take?
My daughters 1 yo and I will be starting her on them in the morning for the start of our leaky gut battle!
You need to be careful with children and enzymes. I would work with a functional doctor or ND who can direct you to a gentle enzyme blend.
Thanks for this info. I am fairly certain my 6 month old has a leaky gut. He has diarrhea regularly and sometimes blood in his stool. All of his problems started when he was about 1 month old and needed IV antibiotics for pnemonia. I give him probiotics which have been the only thing that has helped him slightly, (and if I miss even one day’s dose, I see an immediate regression.) I tried the TED for 2 months to no avail. I am still top 8 allergen free. My question is, how to I help a baby who doesn’t even eat solids yet? My ped wants me to start solids but I’m afraid they will make things worse and don’t even know where to start. Any advice?
Hi Diana, Do you have access to a functional medical doctor who has experience with children? That would be the best case scenario for your little guy!
Hi! I’ve had pretty bad eczema for sometime now and it seems to get worse the older I get. I eat so incredibly healthy and have eliminated all wheat and dairy in hopes that it would improve, but my flare-ups just seem to take longer and longer to heal up. It’s mainly on my face, which is so annoying ? I’m a college student so I know there are many other factors playing into this. I’ve read countless articles on healing your gut or other holistic methods but I can’t seem to find a clear answer. Help 🙁
Hello! I just found your website from a pin on Pinterest. We had a stool test done on my 11 year old son and the results showed severe leaky gut. He has significant ADHD and sensory issues. We are currently seeing a doctor for this and she has given us an elimination diet to follow allow with probiotics and supplements. We are also dairy and gluten free. However, he is EXTREMELY picky and we are having a terrible time getting him to eat healthy foods. Lunch seems to be the biggest issue and I know when I pack healthy things for him in his lunch he just throws them away. Plus he doesn’t want to be the ‘odd’ kid at the table with a weird lunch when all his other friends are eating Doritos and junk food like that.
Do you have any ideas foir lunches for a child this age to take to school? Thank you so much!
Hi,
Five years ago I was fabulous. Thin with clear skin. Then in over night I gained ten pounds and started breaking out in cystic acne again. I’d been doing low carb to heal my acne and the results were great. Five years later I’m bloated and acne riddled and still on the diet. I ate some turmeric last month and that made the acne worse.
I hate the way I look and have no control over this weight gain. I’ve started pureeing everything I eat, I do pro-biotics (which make me worse) I do enzymes ( worked about three months then just stopped. The bone broth has done a thing in the six months I’ve been making it. I hate the idea of having to live like this. I’m only 31. No energy. I have ulcerative colitis which I actually enjoyed last year because I was thin again and wasn’t bloated, but for some reason I became constipated with the UC and my hips spread way out, unnatural shape for me, followed by my hips and behind then my arms.
I’m so sad that I want to hurt myself to have control over something. My GI doctor blames the UC, as does my dermatologists, but a year on Humira and no improvement except constipation. I’m miserable and in pain. My clothes don’t fit and I’ve never had a baby.
I’ve done everything your blog said and it all worked and then stopped. I really need help.
I’m so sorry Molly. It sounds like you would benefit from working with a functional doctor so he or she can work with your specific needs. Here’s a good place to start: https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
Thanks for this post!! I’ve been working on healing my leaky gut and things are slowly getting better. These tips are right on!
Hi there,
I have absolutely NO foods left that I don’t react to, so i have constant inflammation, is there any way I will be able to heal if I have to eat foods I react to? Obviously I can’t eat nothing! I’m feeling stuck as to how i’m going to heal if I can’t exclude the problem foods. Many thanks. Kate
Thanks for your post. I have digestive issues and have on and off diarrhea or soft stools. I also suffer from anemia and migraine headaches. I have had a little more than regular bowel movements just the other day and today I had a mucusy type fart with bits of fecal matter in it. I was wondering about the bone broth, Since I am a vegetarian and cannot take bone broth. What would you recommend for vegetarians? Thank you
My 7 year old daughter has sensitivity to artificial dyes. We figured it out when she was 3 1/2. I’m starting to think now that she may have other food allergies. She has a constant rash on her cheeks and her belly often looks bloated. She has always been moody. She doesn’t have digestive issues, but she has a very limited diet. She can’t have artificial dyes and won’t try anything new so we are limited to the things she loves. I’ve tried to eliminate gluten, but she loves frozen pancakes. I took away wheat bread and there has been some improvement. Can these mild but distressing symptoms be due to leaky gut?
Also, she had frequent ear infections up until age 6 1/2 when she had her adenoid removed. She took the same antibiotic almost monthly for 2 years and sporadically before that. (She is also allergic to penicillin.) I’m not sure what my next move should be.
Hello! Please clarify me one piece. It makes no sense to treat the leaky gut parasites and candida? Leaky gut help to the prosperity of candida and parasites. They did not withdraw as there is flowing intestine.I thought that the protocol for the treatment leaky gut helps treat candida and other parasites.
Good advice. Didn’t know about the gelatin, but bone broth does seem to help. It’s a slow process, but necessary.