Leaky Gut & Treatments

Dr. Jimenez Leaky Gut & Treatment Functional Medicine Team. Leaky gut is a condition that creates gaps/openings in the lining of the intestines. The intestines have an essential role in protecting the body from harmful bacteria and toxins.

Gastrointestinal Tract

The gastrointestinal or GI tract is a tube of connected organs. They include:

• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Small and large intestines

Enzymes in the stomach and small intestine digest and break down nutrients from the foods and drinks that the body uses for energy, growth, and repair. There are openings in the walls that allow water and nutrients to pass into the bloodstream while the toxic/harmful substances are kept inside. The openings begin to widen with a leaky gut and allow food particles, bacteria, and toxins to enter directly into the blood.

There is also a wide array of bacteria known as gut microbiota. These bacteria help with digestion, protect the walls, and support immune function. Research has found that imbalances in the gut microbiota can trigger an immune system response. The response causes inflammation and a higher probability of intestinal permeability or IP. Intestinal permeability looks at the ease of substances leaking out of the intestines and into the blood.

Symptoms

Symptoms of leaky gut can include:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Gas
• Bloating
• Nutrition issues
• Poor immune system
• Headaches
• Brain fog
• Memory loss
• Fatigue
• Skin rashes

Various risk factors can disrupt the gut microbiota and contribute. Examples include:

• Unhealthy diet
• Diabetes
• Alcohol
• Infections
• Autoimmune disorders
• Stress

Treating & Treatments

Healing a leaky gut involves making dietary adjustments and removing the foods that the body sees as toxic. Lifestyle changes and support for a healthy gut:

• Regular exercise
• Proper sleep
• Reducing stress
• Avoiding the use of antibiotics
• Quit smoking
• Adding probiotics to boost the good gut bacteria
• Eating foods rich in prebiotic fiber
• Avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners

Healthcare practitioners realize that leaky gut syndrome is interconnected to many other chronic health conditions. This issue can be tested for and corrected, aiding professionals to catch diseases early and slow the progression.

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*