Leaky Gut Test – How To Tell If You Have Leaky Gut Syndrome
Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine once said all diseases begin in the gut. Many years after his death, research is now proving that he really meant something by it. (x)
If you are into medicine you must have definitely heard of the term before. Leaky gut or intestinal permeability is a condition that is spreading like an epidemic because of bacterial imbalance, poor diet and stress issues in people due to a hectic schedule. This condition is serious enough to not be ignored and is known to be associated with various other underlying issues and diseases in the body. (x)
It is best to go for a leaky gut test right away if you notice you have any symptoms present.
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
In our gut we have an intestinal lining that controls what nutrients get absorbed in our bloodstream by forming a tight barrier. Leaky gut is said to occur when this light lining of the intestine begins to have holes or cracks in it. This allows toxins, undigested food, bugs and harmful bacteria to pass through the lining and penetrate into the tissues. As a result inflammation occurs that causes issues in the digestive tract and causes a reaction from the immune system. (x)
This autoimmune response can cause various allergic reactions like irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, fatigue, food allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema etc. The latest research is backing up the fact that this inflammation plays a vital role in the occurrence of various chronic diseases in the body.(x)
Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome
The permeability of the gut is said to be linked with the following most common symptoms:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Ulcers
- Food allergies
- Food and seasonal allergies
- Inflammatory diseases (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s)
- Colorectal cancer
- Intestinal bacterial overgrowth
- Respiratory issues
- Thyroid disorders
- Autoimmune diseases( multiple sclerosis, lupus etc)
- Chronic fatigue
- Migraine
- Parkinson’s
- Obesity
- Metabolic diseases (diabetes, heart diseases, fatty liver issues)
- Brain fog, memory loss and headaches
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Depression, ADD and anxiety
- Skin issues like eczema and acne
- Sugar cravings
- Weak immune system (x)
Causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome
The intestine is protected with a tightly linked layer of epithelial cells that are bound together by tight junctions. Leaky gut is a result of the malfunctioning of these junctions.
The actual cause of leaky gut is still a mystery to many medical experts but research has shown that a protein known as zonulin is responsible for the increased permeability of the intestinal walls. The activation n of this protein can lead to a leaky gut, this is triggered by the presence of bacteria and gluten in the intestine.
Leaky gut syndrome remains a bit of a medical mystery, and medical professionals are still trying to determine exactly what causes it. (x)
However, some underlying causes of leaky gut are:
Poor diet: An unhealthy diet that includes inflammatory foods like sugar, synthetic food preservatives, dairy products, gluten, refined oils, GMO and allergens.
Bacterial imbalance: This condition is also called dysbiosis in medicine, it occurs when there is an imbalance in the number of harmful and beneficial bacteria present in the gut. Research shows that presence of gut microbiota supports the intestinal layer which in turn also avoids the harmful reaction from the immune system.
High sugar intake: A poor diet that is high in carbs and sugar like fructose is harmful to the barrier in the intestinal wall.
Use of inflammatory drugs: Long term of use of such drugs can also contribute to the development of a leaky gut.
High alcohol intake: Excessive intake of alcohol also causes a leaky gut.
Stress: Stress leads to multiple gastric disorders which also includes the increased permeability of the intestine.
Inflammation: Inflammation within the body due to various underlying issues leads to a leaky gut.
Leaky Gut Test
Do you have leaky gut symptoms mentioned above and would like to find out if you have this disease or not? Take any of the following leaky gut test to find out!
A Stool Test
A basic stool test will reveal the levels of good bacteria, probiotic levels and microbes present in your intestine. This test can also give further information about the presence of any parasites, bacteria and yeast infection. (x)
Stop consuming any supplements, enzymes, iron supplements, inti-inflammatory drugs etc before you take a stool sample at home. Collect the sample and mail them to your lab for testing.
Important Minerals and Vitamins Deficiency Test
A very important sign of a leaky gut is the malabsorption of important minerals and vitamins. This happens because of the damage caused to the villi present in the gut. Microvilli are responsible to absorbing all the beneficial nutrients from the digested food in the intestine. (x)
This leaky gut test looks for any deficiency in the vitamin and mineral levels. It can be easily done at home by using a kit. You are supposed to collect a urine sample and simply mail it to your lab. This test will tell you all about how well nutrients are absorbed in the body and any deficiency that is present.
Food Intolerance Test
The identification of any possible food sensitivity and allergy is very important if you are starting to notice any symptoms of a leaky gut. Ignoring these can worsen the condition if you continue to include such products in your diet.
This leaky gut test includes the drawing of blood, you mail your dried blood to the laboratory for further testing and screening.
Zonulin Protein Test
The protein zonulin as mentioned is responsible for keeping the intestinal lining tight. High levels of zonulin can cause cracks in the gut lining which can lead to the permeability of harmful bacteria and toxins through the gut and into the bloodstream. (x)
In this leaky gut test the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Essay test (ELISA) determines how high your gut permeability is. If you have high levels, you have a leaky gut as the cause of your symptoms.
How to Treat Leaky Gut At Home?
Below are some basic steps to heal treat leaky gut issue:
Cut down the intake of the harmful foods that are harmful to your gut.
Start following an anti-inflammatory diet that comprises of healing foods.
Use probiotics to encourage the production of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The good bacteria in the gut promote the tightness of the intestinal lining and also resist the spreading of harmful toxins and bugs in the intestine. The gut microbiota is also responsible for the absorption of nutrients and healthy digestion.
Treat Leaky Gut Naturally
Do the symptoms of leaky gut sound familiar? Think you might have leaky gut syndrome? Take our leaky gut test by determining your symptoms, and take positive action to restore your health today in the most efficient and natural way possible!
Try out this free course below!
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