Leaky Gut Syndrome NYC - Dr. Alicia Armitstead

"If a leaky gut is left untreated, it may lead to several chronic complications that can affect various aspects of health and well-being."

Dr. Alicia Armitstead

Natural Remedies for Leaky Gut at the Healing Arts NYC Health and Wellness Center in Manhattan NY 10017 and Connecticut

What is Leaky Gut?

Leaky gut is a term that some health practitioners use to describe a condition where the lining of the small intestine becomes more permeable than normal, allowing substances to leak into the bloodstream. This may cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, and aches and pains. 

Officially, leaky gut is not a recognized medical diagnosis; however, some gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease, are associated with increased intestinal permeability. Still, it is unclear whether this is a cause or a consequence of these conditions.

• Nutritional deficiencies. Leaky gut may impair the absorption of nutrients from food into the bloodstream. This may lead to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or fatty acids that are essential for various bodily functions.

• Skin problems such as acne, eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis. The skin is an organ that reflects the internal health of the body. When toxins or inflammatory molecules escape from the gut into the bloodstream, they may trigger skin inflammation or irritation.

• Mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, or brain fog. The gut and the brain are connected by a network of nerves called the gut-brain axis. The gut also produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin that affect mood and cognition. When leaky gut disrupts this communication or alters this balance, it may affect mental health and cognitive function.

• Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), or celiac disease. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in the body. Leaky gut may contribute to this process by allowing foreign substances or antigens to enter the bloodstream and activate an immune response against self-tissues.

• Hormonal imbalances such as thyroid dysfunction, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Leaky gut may affect the production, metabolism, or excretion of hormones by altering the gut microbiome, the estrobolome (the gut bacteria that metabolize estrogens), or the liver function. Hormonal imbalances may cause symptoms such as irregular periods, infertility, weight gain, hair loss, acne, or fatigue.

These are some of the possible symptoms of leaky gut that may affect various aspects of health and well-being. However, these symptoms are not specific to leaky gut and may have other causes. Therefore, it is important to consult with Dr. Armitstead before self-diagnosing or self-treating leaky gut.

The Causes of Leaky Gut

The causes of leaky gut are not fully understood, but some factors may contribute to or worsen it. Some of these factors are:

• Inflammatory foods. Some foods may trigger inflammation in the gut or damage the intestinal barrier. These include refined sugars, grains, legumes (beans), nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants), dairy products, eggs, gluten (a protein found in wheat and other grains), alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods. These foods may also feed harmful bacteria or yeast in the gut that can produce toxins or disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome.

• Toxic foods. Some foods may contain toxins that can irritate or harm the gut lining. These include genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, herbicides, artificial sweeteners, additives, preservatives,

Leaving a Leaky Gut Untreated

If a leaky gut is untreated, it may lead to several complications that can affect various aspects of health and well-being. Some of these complications are:

• Chronic inflammation. Leaky gut may trigger an immune response that causes inflammation throughout the body. Chronic inflammation can damage tissues and organs and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.

• Autoimmune diseases. Leaky gut may contribute to the development or worsening of autoimmune diseases, which occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in the body. Some examples of autoimmune diseases that have been linked to leaky gut are rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), or celiac disease.

• Nutritional deficiencies. Leaky gut may impair the absorption of nutrients from food into the bloodstream. This may lead to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or fatty acids that are essential for various bodily functions.

• Hormonal imbalances. Leaky gut may affect the production, metabolism, or excretion of hormones by altering the gut microbiome, the estrobolome (the gut bacteria that metabolize estrogens), or the liver function. Hormonal imbalances may cause symptoms such as irregular periods, infertility, weight gain, hair loss, acne, or fatigue.

• Mood disorders. Leaky gut may affect the production, metabolism, or excretion of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, or GABA by altering the gut microbiome or creating inflammation in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that regulate mood and cognition. Leaky gut may contribute to mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, or brain fog.

• Skin problems. Leaky gut may affect the health and appearance of the skin by causing inflammation, oxidative stress, or hormonal imbalances. Leaky gut may also impair the detoxification pathways of the skin and liver. Leaky gut may be associated with skin problems such as acne, eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis.

• Allergies and food sensitivities. Leaky gut may increase the risk of developing allergies and food sensitivities by exposing the immune system to foreign substances that trigger an immune response. Allergies and food sensitivities may cause symptoms such as hives, itching, sneezing, runny nose, or anaphylaxis.

These are some of the possible complications that can happen if leaky gut is untreated. However, these complications are not specific to leaky gut and may have other causes. Therefore, it is important to consult with Dr. Armitstead before self-diagnosing or self-treating leaky gut.

Additional Resources

• Leaky Gut Syndrome: What Is It? - WebMD
• How Gut Health Impacts Hormonal Balance - MaxLiving
• Digestion, Leaky Gut, and Lectins - Healing Arts NYC Podcast