There are many factors that play a role in the development of an autoimmune disease. Genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers, and leaky gut are the three most recognized. In today’s blog post I’m going to cover the possibility of leaky gut being the root cause of autoimmune diseases, why we need to change our perception of “healing”, and what you can do today to heal a leaky gut.
Looking into the possibility of leaky gut being the cause of an autoimmune disease first is a way to use the process of elimination. Leaky gut can be reversed with lifestyle changes that will get into later in the post. But first what do I mean by changing our perception of healing and what even is a leaky gut?
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What is a Leaky gut?
Leaky gut also known as intestinal permeability is classified as little cracks and breaks that occur in the intestinal lining allowing toxins, bacteria, and undigested food particles to leak into the bloodstream. Causing the immune system to respond with a wave of inflammation to fight off the “foreign invaders”. Subsequently catching the body’s own tissue in the crossfire.
Symptoms of Leaky Gut
- Chronic gas and bloating
- Chronic diarrhea and constipation
- Joint pain
- Difficutly concentrating (ADHD, ADD)
- Rosacea
- Acne
- Eczema
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Seasonal allergies / asthma
- Brain fog
- Low energy (due to the reduced ability to draw energy from food)
How can leaky gut lead to Autoimmune diseases?
When the body is under constant attack from toxins, bacteria, and undigested food that are released into the bloodstream it causes an overactive immune system. That easily gets confused resulting in the body attacking itself. This process is known as molecular mimicry and how leaky gut can trigger autoimmune diseases.
It’s very easy for the body to attack itself when some of the foreign invaders like dairy and gluten have a similar structure to the body’s cells. Making it easy for a tired overactive immune system to confuse its own cells as foreign invaders.
Autoimmune diseases thought to be caused by leaky gut:
New research is suggesting the link between leaky gut being a precursor to Autoimmune diseases.
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Chronic fatigue syndrom
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Hashimotos
- Fibromyalgia
Causes of Leaky Gut?
- Westernized diet (high fat / low fiber)3
- Unmanaged stress
- Gluten: causes gut cells to release Zonulin. Which is a protein that can break apart the tight junctions in the intestinal lining.2
- Dysregulated sleep schedule
- Toxin exposure / overload
- Overuse of NSAIDs
- Antibiotics
Changing your perception of healing
Western medicine also known as conventional medicine does not recognize leaky gut as a medical condition. While it is the most used and common medical practice in America the rise of chronic conditions have brought more people to seek alternative health care. But why?
Westernized medicine focuses on treating symptoms while looking at the body as a group of systems. Unlike Functional medicine where the body is looked at as a whole; mind, body, and spirit. All systems in the body working together for overall health. While diseases are looked at as an unbalanced state of the body. Functional medicine focuses on finding and healing the root cause of disease.
In western medicine the body’s health is divided from the disease and the focus is on treating symptoms via pharmaceuticals, etc. Which only puts a band-aid on the deeper issue and does not aid in healing.
When it comes to leaky gut it’s important to note 70-80% of the immune system resides in the gut. 4Making it the gateway to achieving overall health.
Understanding that all the systems in your body work together to function properly. Means we need to take a full body approach to healing; mind, body, and soul. Which seems like a very foreign concept to most people who have used western medicine for the majority of their lives.
Understanding the westernized medicine doesn’t promote healing but instead putting a bandaid (that comes with a list of side effects) on symptoms that instead allow the root cause of the issue to fester. For example, someone who complains of heartburn is prescribed antacids or acid reducers instead of making the necessary diet changes and healing their gut. These medications work well at reducing stomach acid but have you ever typed in your search engine “dangers of acid reflux medication”?
These quick fixes can lead to long term damage. For example NSAIDs that are used by many Americans daily are now being looked at as one of the many root causes of leaky gut. Studies have shown the negative effect NSAIDs have on the gut microbiome. Resulting in a bacterial imbalance known as gut dysbiosis. Even in low doses NSAIDs can cause stomach and intestinal bleeding. Yet they are the most commonly used pain reliever in western society.
Healing your body is multi focal. It includes the food you eat, your lifestyle, and your mental state. Which all play a significant role in contributing to your overall health. To heal your body you must heal every section before it can become whole again. Which is why taking a functional medicine approach is needed to heal diseases.
How can you start healing leaky gut?
- Avoiding a westernized diet of high sugar/fat and low fiber
- Eating a anti-inflammatory diet full of whole Foods
- Looking into the Autoimmune Protocol diet (AIP)
- Incorporate probiotic rich foods into your diet: kimchi, yogurt, miso soup, etc.
- Avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use
- Getting on a regular sleep schedule (resetting your circadian rhythm)
- Maintain regularly active lifestyle
- Managing stress properly
- Reduce the use of NSAIDs
Most importantly doing your own research to educate yourself. Knowledge is power. I have linked all books and articles I used when I started my healing journey at the bottom of the article.
Marking off leaky gut as the root cause of your autoimmune disease can help lead you in the right direction. I decided to focus on leaky gut in todays post because the causes and symptoms of leaky gut are so normalized in todays westernized society. Constantly dealing with bloating, stomach pain, brain fog, etc. Is not normal but it’s the reality for most people living a western lifestyle.
I didn’t even realize how I lived everyday bloated and in stomach pain until I started the AIP diet. I thought constant pain, stomach upset, and plain uncomfortableness was normal. Upon completing the AIP diet and finding out my food sensitivity bloating, stomach pain, brain fog, etc. Were almost foreign concepts to me.
Some of the culprits of your guts deterioration are main players in your everyday life. I will be doing a part two to this post soon to go over other possible causes you can mark off your list.
Changing your lifestyle can seem drastic and impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s all about how you choose to look at it, and understanding everyone’s journey and setbacks are different. I chose to look at it as an opportunity and privilege to heal my body. YOU alone control your future, and we’re here to help by sharing our experiences! Under the “free resource library tab” you can find daily, weekly, self-care, and meal prep planner to help you along the way of your new journey! For more check out our instagram and tik tok!
1.Paray BA, Albeshr MF, Jan AT, Rather IA. Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity: An Intricate Balance in Individuals Health and the Diseased State. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Dec 21;21(24):9770. doi: 10.3390/ijms21249770. PMID: 33371435; PMCID: PMC7767453.
2. Fasano A. Zonulin, regulation of tight junctions, and autoimmune diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2012 Jul;1258(1):25-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06538.x. PMID: 22731712; PMCID: PMC3384703.
3. Michael W Rohr, Chandrakala A Narasimhulu, Trina A Rudeski-Rohr, Sampath Parthasarathy, Negative Effects of a High-Fat Diet on Intestinal Permeability: A Review, Advances in Nutrition, Volume 11, Issue 1, January 2020, Pages 77–91, https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz061
4.Wiertsema SP, van Bergenhenegouwen J, Garssen J, Knippels LMJ. The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 9;13(3):886. doi:
Mu Q, Kirby J, Reilly CM and Luo XM (2017) Leaky Gut As a Danger Signal for Autoimmune Diseases. Front. Immunol. 8:598. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00598
Vojdani A. Molecular mimicry as a mechanism for food immune reactivities and autoimmunity. Altern Ther Health Med. 2015;21 Suppl 1:34-45. PMID: 25599184.
Leech, Bradley & McEwen, Bradley & Sekyere, Eric. (2020). Diet, Digestive Health, and Autoimmunity: The Foundations to an Autoimmune Disease Food Pyramid—Part 1. Alternative and Complementary Therapies. 26. 112-118. 10.1089/act.2020.29278.ble.
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RESOURCES I USED TO HEAL: (click on highlighted portion to be redirected) You can also click here to check out our amazon store front. There all my favorite holistic books are listed.
“Cleanse to heal” By: Anthony Willam
“The Paleo cure” By: Chris Kresser
“The Autoimmune fix” By: Dylan O’Bryan
Learn more about functional medicine:
