Leaky Gut 101

May 7, 2024

A leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a condition where the lining of the small intestine becomes more porous, allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria to leak into the bloodstream. This can lead to various health issues, including nutrient deficiencies.

Here’s how a leaky gut can contribute to nutrient deficiencies:

  1. Malabsorption: The lining of the small intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients from the food we eat. When it becomes leaky, it can’t effectively absorb nutrients, leading to malabsorption. Essential nutrients such as vitamins (e.g., vitamin B12, vitamin D) and minerals (e.g., iron, calcium) may not be properly absorbed, resulting in deficiencies.
  2. Damage to gut villi: The intestinal lining is covered with finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area for nutrient absorption. In a leaky gut, these villi may be damaged or blunted, further reducing the absorption capacity and causing nutrient deficiencies.
  3. Disruption of gut flora: The gut contains a diverse community of beneficial bacteria known as the gut microbiota. These bacteria play a crucial role in breaking down complex nutrients and producing certain vitamins. In a leaky gut, the balance of the gut microbiota may be disrupted, leading to decreased nutrient breakdown and absorption.
  4. Increased inflammation: A leaky gut can trigger an immune response as the body detects the foreign substances entering the bloodstream. Chronic inflammation in the gut can impair the function of nutrient-absorbing cells and disrupt normal digestive processes, contributing to nutrient deficiencies.
  5. Loss of proteins: The tight junctions between intestinal cells become compromised in a leaky gut, allowing proteins to pass through into the bloodstream. Some of these proteins may be essential for nutrient transport and metabolism, and their loss can further exacerbate nutrient deficiencies.
  6. Reduced production of digestive enzymes: Enzymes play a key role in breaking down food into smaller, absorbable components. Inflammation and damage caused by a leaky gut can reduce the production of digestive enzymes, making it harder for the body to extract nutrients from food.
  7. Food sensitivities: The leakage of undigested food particles into the bloodstream can trigger immune responses and food sensitivities. In some cases, this can lead to avoidance of certain foods, resulting in a reduced intake of essential nutrients found in those foods.

A leaky gut can disrupt the delicate balance of nutrient absorption and metabolism in the body, potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies and a range of health issues. If you suspect you have a leaky gut or nutrient deficiencies, I’d love to hear from you. A GI MAP and Wheat Zoomer test can help you determine if a Leaky Gut is contributing to your overall health issues. Set up a Complimentary Consult below.

Recent Posts

Archives

well humans logo

Fix Your Gut and Feel Your Best

carla alpert functional medicine practitioner

Hello and Welcome! My name is Carla Alpert, and I’m a Board Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach and Diagnostic Practitioner, focusing on the gut and how it affects your overall health. Think of me as a health detective and wellness coach working in partnership with you to restore your health. We work together to uncover the contributing factors to your chronic symptoms, to eat well, sleep well, move more and stress less.

I love the GI MAP test because it helps my clients and I discover gut dysfunction that may be contributing to daily digestive issues as well as other chronic symptoms like anxiety, fatigue and brain fog. I created this GI MAP Coaching Package to help you stop struggling with your health and get back to living your best life.

functional medicine health coaching logos

What Clients Are Saying

Carla really helped me to figure out my gut pain and issues after so many years. I finally feel like I have energy and clarity around my health! She was so easy to talk to and helped me discover problem areas that were causing me so much distress, when no other doctors could help.
VICTORIA

Well Humans changed my life. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis accompanied by chronic hives. It sprang up out of nowhere and caused bizarre “food allergies” that I’d never had before. Because of Carla’s coaching and dietary recommendations as well as GI Map testing, I can happily say that I am now symptom-free, and I have been in remission for over a year now. All of the doctors I saw told me I would have to deal with my symptoms because there was no cure, but here I am, back to living a mostly normal life. I highly recommend Carla and Well Humans for anyone looking for real answers and treatments that work.
KALYN

When working with Carla, you are in capable, compassionate, knowledgeable and caring hands. Carla truly cares about your well being and wants to help you be the healthiest that you can be. My health was truly suffering and with her guidance and suggested testing, we uncovered some issues that nobody else had uncovered, despite my going to some of the top rated medical institutions. My health and pain improved greatly due to Carla’s sleuthing…she knew where to look. Through many health challenges, I was quite emotional and Carla showed me what compassion looks like. If you want to truly improve your health, start with Well Humans.
BETH

Over years, I’ve tried various “alternative” medicine as well as conventional “western” medicine approaches. Skin ailments are hard to treat – so many aspects of a life can produce skin symptoms. I enthusiastically recommend Well Humans and Carla for a simple reason – I’ve experienced sustained, substantial improvement! I have hardly ever posted a review of anything, but writing this was an easy choice to make. I wish you all the best in your journey towards better health!
JON

I searched the U.S. to find someone who does what Carla does. Carla has used her knowledge, support and expertise to optimize my health and well-being with a blend of scientific medical tests, supplements and diet changes. I wasted a lot of time on my hunches, the internet and experiments with supplements and food and NOW i have an actual plan. Superb supportive knowledge and guidance. I highly recommend Carla. Grateful.
LISA

I never knew that I had a gluten allergy and intolerance until Carla discovered it in my blood work! I’m so grateful that she made this discovery and I have been gluten free ever since. I sleep better, don’t feel bloated and have much more energy. It was a life-changing insight.
ROB

Carla is very knowledgeable and kind. She helped me navigate a health issue with grace and the utmost care. Carla goes above and beyond with her clients and I highly recommend her. She genuinely cares!
ALLISON

I have been working with Carla for quite some time and she has helped me turn my life and health around. She is non-judgmental, and always wants the best for her clients. She is extremely knowledgeable and has a fantastic bedside manner. She has truly changed my life for the better and I will always be grateful for everything she has done.
ROB

Pin It on Pinterest