Although ‘leaky gut syndrome’ has not been confirmed as a medical diagnosis or term, it is being used recently to explain a more permeable digestive system. When you are experiencing gastrointestinal issues that last for a long period of time or if you are allowing your gut health to decline it can lead to substances beyond the normal nutrients and water to permeate the intestinal lining. This can cause further issues for your digestive process and overall body, because these substances can lead to a weak immune system, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and bacterial buildup.
Symptoms To Look Out For To Identify A Leaky Gut
While there are no direct symptoms for a leaky gut, you can identify a leaky gut through monitoring and looking out for the symptoms of a permeated intestinal lining. When your intestinal lining has been breached/damaged there are a number of indicators that can pop up.
When your intestinal lining weakens, the mucous membranes that surround it tend to be damaged or lost which leads to indigestion. If you are experiencing symptoms such as heartburn, constipation, or abdominal pain, these can all be indicators that your intestinal lining has weakened. It is important to learn how to best combat these issues when they arise in order for them not to interfere with daily life. Taking digestive enzyme supplements are a great way to ensure you are giving your digestive system the support it needs to be prepared to alleviate these symptoms.
Gas and bloating is also another indicator that your intestinal lining might have become more permeable, because these symptoms can be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in your gut. While our bodies need healthy bacteria in order to thrive, the growth of unhealthy bacteria can cause upsetting symptoms that can be hard to control. Using a probiotic as a supplement for bloating is a great way to ensure you are supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in your body. Our probiotic named Probiotic Renu contains both bifido probiotic cultures and lacto probiotic cultures to give you this support in times of need.
A leaky gut can also cause fatigue and inflammation in the body. When you experience a weak intestinal lining it causes your body to release chemicals called cytokines which spread inflammation throughout your body. Inflammation can cause a host of problems including low energy levels. If you have recently been experiencing more fatigue throughout your day it is possible that the cause is a weak intestinal lining.
How To Increase Energy Levels Naturally
While a permeable intestinal lining might not be the only reason for your low energy levels, it is important to better understand what works for your body in terms of how to combat fatigue. Using the trial and error method is essential in learning how to diminish fatigue, because everyone’s body is going to react differently to certain methods.
Stress does not only contribute to a weaker intestinal lining, but it can generally also contribute to low energy levels. Stress is a great indicator from your body that you might need a mental or physical health check-in with yourself. A great way to reduce stress levels is by dedicating time each day to have these check-ins with yourself whether it is at the beginning or end of your day. This will help your mind to feel more at peace with what is to come. Sometimes our stress is rooted in not knowing what is going to happen in the future, but if you allow yourself the time to get centered you are less likely to feel unprepared for whatever comes your way.
Low energy levels can also be caused by living a sedentary lifestyle. Make sure you are incorporating some kind of physical activity in your day-to-day schedule, because it will naturally give your body more energy to use. In general, exercise should be an essential part of your daily life due to its overall benefits to your body including your mental state.
While there are many drinks that can be beneficial to your digestive system, alcohol is not one of them. Alcohol can be damaging to your intestinal lining and create more permeability due to its decreasing prostaglandins in the body which are known to help protect the body from inflammation. An excessive amount of alcohol also creates low energy levels and decreases the quality of your sleep. Try to limit your alcohol intake as much as possible.
Ways to Increase Your Gut’s Strength
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with a permeable intestinal lining or if you simply want to increase the strength of your gastrointestinal system there are some key ways to do so. The first one being to decrease the amount of inflammatory foods in your diet. Some examples of inflammatory foods include: highly processed foods, foods high in sugar or fat, alcohol, and foods that are known to be commonly intolerable for some people – dairy and gluten. Minimizing these foods in your diet is beneficial for a host of reasons, but mainly to not further irritate any digestive ailments you might be experiencing.
In addition to taking a supplement that helps with bloating such as our Probiotic Renu, you can increase the amount of probiotics you ingest by eating foods that have high amounts of probiotics and prebiotics. Some examples of these foods include: kimchi, yogurt, bananas, tempeh, and pickles. Lastly, we recommend decreasing your sugar intake as an excessive amount of sugar can be damaging to your gut’s barrier function. Instead, try to find snacks and foods that are high in fiber and that are rich in fruits and vegetables. Having a well balanced diet is the key to maintaining a healthy gut and to avoid many digestive issues that might arise.
All in all, protecting your intestinal lining and your gut’s health is not a walk in the park, but if you work to practice healthy habits that benefit you both mentally and physically you will be more prepared for any issues that come your way.