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Our guts (digestive system), are incredibly extensive organs and systemic workhorses. In the last couple of decades alone, much has been discovered about the human microbiome — the collection of helpful bacteria that reside in your intestine. Otherwise known as microbiota, this bacteria colony is unique in every individual.
The microbiome is critical to our survival and works with our brains to ensure that our bodies are performing optimally. At birth, we enter the world with genetically created microbiota, but as we’re exposed to environmental factors and a varied diet, it changes — often for the better, but sometimes for the worse.
Leaky gut syndrome is a condition that occurs when your small intestine’s inner lining is compromised. When everything from food to toxins are allowed to pass through your digestive tract on into your body, the unpleasant symptoms of leaky gut syndrome emerge.
Our VitalityMDs team, headed by Dr. Russell Bartels and Dr. Burt Webb, have extensive experience treating residents of Scottsdale, Arizona, for leaky gut. We’ve also teamed up with health and weight loss coach Jaki Ryan, to educate our patients with leaky gut and, most importantly, deliver relief.
Although many reasons contribute to the development of leaky gut, and they vary by the individual, we’ve identified five major factors that indicate you may be living with leaky gut.
If you experience frequent bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and other persistent gastrointestinal problems, it could point to a leaky gut. You may even experience nausea regularly, but simply attribute these symptoms to stress, an “off” week, or other external situational factors.
We’ve even learned that more widely known health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and celiac disease are linked to a leaky gut.
We tend to “keep calm and carry on,” no matter what, but minimizing these symptoms isn’t good for you. The longer you live with them, the more negative an impact they have on your daily quality of life.
It may surprise you that leaky gut is strongly connected to autoimmune diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, inflammatory arthritis, and lupus.
Since gut health is undeniably linked to your overall immune system stability and strength, it only makes sense that if your intestinal lining is riddled with cracks or holes, you’re vulnerable to any of these life-altering conditions.
Your immune system’s true purpose is to protect you, but when you have autoimmune disease our immune system has turned against you, leaving you more susceptible to leaky gut.
Studies have shown that leaky gut is related to arthritis, and in addition to contributing to autoimmune symptoms like fatigue and glandular swelling, leaky gut can cause your system to become inflamed overall.
Altering your diet so that you eat antiinflammatory foods — things like a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and omega-3-rich foods like salmon can greatly lower your leaky gut risk.
It might seem strange, but leaky gut can manifest on your skin in the form of eczema, rashes, rosacea, and even acne. By working with our team to get your gut health under control, you may enjoy eased and improved skin symptoms.
If you struggle with anxiety or depression, these could be traced to leaky gut syndrome as well. Ditto with “brain fog,” those pesky times when you just can’t seem to concentrate and get things done. Your gut and brain are intimately connected and help to regulate chemicals in your brain and your mood.
Though these five symptoms are some of the most common, you can also chalk up symptoms like weight fluctuations, carb and sugar cravings, headaches, and a tendency toward getting head colds to leaky gut. These many symptoms prove just how much of your health your gut commands.
We offer real solutions for treating leaky gut that get to the root of the problem. Best of all, they are completely customized to you.
Diet is the key to managing leaky gut, which probably doesn’t shock you. We work with you to incorporate foods into your diet that support gut health and include everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to fermented foods, healthy fats, and yogurt.
We also examine the role stress plays in your life because it often exacerbates leaky gut problems. We’re here to help you manage your stress effectively and gain more balance in your life.
We’re here to treat your leaky gut symptoms with expert guidance. Call our office to schedule a consultation, or request one by reaching out to us on our website.
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