THE FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO LEAKY GUT
The intestines have built in “safeguards” in the form of tight junctions that serve as barriers that prevent toxins, bacteria, and undigested food particles from entering into the bloodstream and traveling throughout the body causing widespread inflammation. When these tight junctions become compromised due to various mechanisms such as chronic stress, infections, frequent use of NSAIDS(aspirin, ibuprofen, etc…), frequent use of PPI‘s, (proton pump inhibitors, either prescriptive or over the counter), toxic exposures, diets that are high in sugar, carbohydrates and/or preservatives, an imbalance in the good versus bad gut bacteria, or antibiotic/steroid medications, intestinal permeability otherwise known as leaky gut can occur.
Symptoms of leaky gut can include but are not limited to gas, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, IBS, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, joint pain, migraines, insomnia, food sensitivities/intolerances, rashes, hormonal imbalances, mood swings, brain fog, and autoimmune diseases.
Functional Medicine can determine through very specific testing not only if you have intestinal permeability (leaky gut), but the test Dr. Williams uses also determines which type of leaky gut you are experiencing. This is important because it will give a very focused direction in which to administer your treatment.