Our intestinal health is so important for our overall health. It has many important functions:
- It acts as part of our nutrient delivery system.
- It is a vital part of our immune system and it is a very important protective barrier.
- When the intestinal lining becomes inflamed or damaged it can result in what is known as Increased Intestinal Permeability, or Leaky Gut Syndrome.
According to the Harvard Medical School, Leaky Gut can be an underlying factor in many health conditions including:
- Autoimmune diseases
- It’s at the root of some cancers
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Arthritis
- Allergies/asthma
- Acne/eczema
- Obesity
- Mental health conditions
Leaky Gut Explained
You might be wondering… Do you have a leaky gut?
As we age we can pretty much assume that our guts will become somewhat leaky(er), but if you have digestive issues, like excessive gas and bloating, hormone imbalances, inflammation (anything ending in “itis” like arthritis or bursitis), if you have food sensitivities, or nutrient deficiencies like I did – these can all be signs of increased intestinal permeability.
All is not lost! You can improve the health of your gut with food and supplementation.
Stay tuned for… “How Leaky Gut Impacts Mental Health”
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6315993/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/leaky-gut-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-for-you-2017092212451
More information re Digestive System: