10 Signs You Have a Leaky Gut—and How to Heal It

Firstly, I think, as most clinicians do, that it is foolish and often dangereous to self-diagnose.  I won't do it and relate only to symptoms and positive or negative responses.  Secondly,  there is no actual clinical disorder as Leaky Gut Syndrome.  It is a name based upon two falllacies:  a:  The gut leaks and produces symptoms and  b:  The gut, by irritiation, absorbs impurities and even poisons from the body.  Right now the medical community is leaning toward seeing such disorders as irritative disorders and that treating the symptoms of these disorders may improve nutrient absorption, reduction of fermentation gases, introduction or increase in pre and probiotics, increase in water intake, reduction in use of irritant medications, spices and such and reduction in certain kinds of proteins and types of fibers which do not contribute to fermenation and gas production.  Some studies, such as in Australian and Canadian research into Low FODMAP diets, have awakened Gastrointestinal Medicine Nutritional Science to many of these factors, especially the thoughts that certain diets work for "everyone";  The old "Sippy" diets long used for patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers is long gone because it did not only "not" work, it made the disedase worse.  The real cuprit was the H. Pylactor organism irritating the stomach wall.  The treatment was, and is, antibiotics.  So, research goes on and so does self diagnoses and treatment.  I hope soon we may have some clearer picture, better answers and the end of the "snake oil" remedies for bowel disorders.  Thank you.

I read with great interest the article and many of the comments submitted  by readers. I too suffer with many of the symptoms described in the article, including neck and shoulder pain, brain fog, memory impairment and bloating, to name a few.

Like many of you who sought help from a doctor,  I too ran into the same roadblocks. The bottom line is that western medicine (allopathic medicine), as it is practiced here in the U.S., is founded on prescription drugs and surgery. This is in stark contrast to TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) and Ayurveda which are based on holistic healing that has been practiced thousands of years. Allopathic medicine here in the U.S. is barely a 100 years old.

What I have found useful in my case is a team approach in working with doctors.  They have access to lab tests and radiographic equipment to help diagnose any problems I might be experiencing. I then use this information to find the right practitioner or self treatment protocol for me.

One fallacy that I refuse to accept is the notion of spontaneous disease.  The idea that I might one day discover that I have cancer for no other reason accept that I am in a high risk group or that it is hereditary. That is what I was told when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011. I was treated with surgery and radiation and today I am asymptomatic for prostate cancer despite having a PSA of over 500. 

What is the take away here? Use care in selecting a healthcare practitioner.  You know your body and what it is telling you. If you eat certain foods and find that you develop pain symptoms, then clearly you are experiencing a problem in your GI track. That being the case, your best option might be seeing a GI tract specialist,  a nutritionist or a doctor who practices integrated medicine.  These are doctors who incorporate nutrition, lifestyle recommendations and other forms of natural healing practices,  i.e., reflexology, acupressure, TCM, etc., in developing a treatment plan for you particular condition. If your doctor keeps telling you that the symptoms you are describing are unrelated to the problem you are experiencing, it may be time to find another doctor who is a better listener.

Also, forums like this are an excellent way to exchange ideas, and remedies that have yielded real results. With this thought  in mind,  Dr Eric Bakker has published numerous videos on candida overgrowth and leaky gut at yeastinfection.org, as well Dr. Steven Gundry at gundrymd.com. Let's keep the dialogue going.

You need a nutritional therapy practitioner and seem like your problems can be corrected by making the gut healed and detoxing then start as a new person. Its embracing holistic approach compared to specific disease of the body.

although this does not list nausea as a symptom, I often have nausea associated with diarrhea from eating gluten. I am trying the Paleo diet this summer to see if it helps with my digestive and joint issues. Good luck to you, also.

although this does not list nausea as a symptom, I often have nausea associated with diarrhea from eating gluten. I am trying the Paleo diet this summer to see if it helps with my digestive and joint issues. Good luck to you, also.

I can't diagnose that but it seems you need a nutritional therapy practitioner who can manage your symptoms and can order blood test for leaky gut.

PS.
I knew fatty acids are required, meats that are organic is part of the diet but fist size only, detoxing is done after leaky gut is fixed by juicing, as our body has the ability to heal itself. I have known a lot of successful stories of this nutritional boot camp even medicine doctors were participants

If you drink bottled water.....STOP! I had constant belching for no reason..one day I thought..I think it's the bottled water. Low and behold it WAS! Not ever drinking bottled water again.

I agree with another reply you got. Ditch the bottled water!

I was diagnosed with IBS while in college, but suffered with pain, gas, bloating, and frequent respiratory infections from a small child until I turned 40. I learned at that time that I was intolerant to gluten. Eliminating that allowed some small improvement, but it was only 6 months ago that I learned how damaging reverse osmosis water can be when used for a prolonged period of time. I can no longer remember the name of the test, but there is a test your Gastroenterologist can order that detects leaky gut. It won't tell you the cause (and there are many possibilities) but it can confirm if you are afflicted with the condition.

I found out that drinking reverse osmosis water for a prolonged period of time is often associated with leaky gut syndrome. It isn't necessarily a cause, but it might be negatively affecting your gut lining. I switched to drinking "electrolyzed reduced water" (yes I chose to purchase an expensive Kangen machine) and I am SO MUCH better. I also have had to eliminate all dairy, but the healing of my gut didn't take off until I switched my water.

I no longer have loose stools, I sleep better, and my recent bloodwork was amazing!.

I can't explain why it makes such a difference, but my close friend who introduced me to Kangen water has a very informative youtube video about how the water changed his life called "Dr. Michael explains the water" (there are two, the first is rough, then he polished it up when it got looked at so much - I like the revised presentation better.)

Good luck - I hope you find comfort!

id like to know if you tried anything else for your condition or determined if it was leaky gut or something else? I have the same symptoms except with the extreme fatigue I do fall asleep way earlier than I used to. The depression is pretty bad and is actually the most concerning to me. I don’t link it to anything but maybe my gut. I have always been a skeptic of water bottles but didn’t know why. I still drink them though but just read the response below and wondering what that means... I feel the emptiness in my stomach but can’t eat at times... and if I force myself to eat even a small bite I usually go to the restroom within an hour to empty it out. I’ve lost about 10 lbs in about a month. I’m 32 and I had my gallbladder removed at 16 and have had acne since then. The real digestive issues didn’t start until about 5 years ago. Mostly bloating and constipation and fatigue with anxiety. Then I cut gluten 2 yrs ago and was no longer bloated or constipated but just last month started feeling mild anxiety and now depression that comes and goes accompanied by no appetite and constant bathroom visits. I also get pressure headaches. I’m so tired of researching and sometimes feeling hopeless. I have two kids and they are worrying now. I was given prozac at low dose and took for 5 days but on day 5 felt worse than other past days. Started taking a probiotic at the same time but also not sure if working. Please help!

Read about low stomach acid, this can cause leaky gut and all The problems you mentioned.

Check for auto immune diseases. It comes from leaky gut or plays a huge factor As well. I just learned I have Lupus and my diet stress and other things like leaky gut plays a role.

Find a nutritional therapy practitioner. Our gut must be healthy and this professional therapist can help your problems. I can provide you one if you really are interested. I knew some of the clients were even GI doctors.

Hi. Try finding a nutrition therapy practitioner. Our gut must be healthy and needs healing if damaged. This professional therapist can help you. If you need one, I can refer you . Some clients I knew were even GI doctors.

Hi Cherry

My son has similar problems with extreme fatigue and digestion problems also. He is only 15 and it has been going on for 3 years. His tests were negative too. We are awaiting an appointment with an M.E specialist now. Have you thought of that maybe? Am not an expert but it is apparently very common and is a very difficult and confusing illness with different symptoms for different people. It can cause migraines, leaky gut, delayed stomach emptying and problems with thyroid and adrenal glands which make us tired. Muscle weakness is another symptom. His main symptoms are extreme fatigue and morning nausea and he is us able to get out bed. Even though my son has not yet been diagnosed we have been following some of the advice for M.E and his life has improved dramatically. He has gone from being virtually housebound just to "flares" occurring every couple of weeks. He had a full year off school and now he goes part time which is better than nothing. Anxiety plays a big part in this illness too but that may be caused by just not knowing what was wrong and all the tests coming out negative. We have also had to cope with people thinking that he is making the whole thing up which again is stressful and causes anxiety. Just a thought anyway and hope it helps.

Deb