What Is Leaky Gut (and How Do You Heal It)?
🌿 What Is Leaky Gut?
You may have heard the term "leaky gut"… but what does it actually mean?
In simple terms, leaky gut (medically referred to as increased intestinal permeability) happens when the lining of your intestines becomes damaged or inflamed, allowing toxins, undigested food particles, and microbes to "leak" into your bloodstream.
This can trigger an immune response and cause symptoms far beyond your digestive system.
Common Symptoms of Leaky Gut
While digestive symptoms are common, many signs of leaky gut show up elsewhere in the body:
Bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhoea
Food sensitivities
Fatigue or brain fog
Skin issues (acne, eczema, rosacea)
Joint pain or inflammation
Headaches or mood swings
Autoimmune conditions
If you've been told "your labs are normal" but you still don’t feel right, leaky gut might be the missing piece.
What Causes Leaky Gut?
From a naturopathic perspective, leaky gut is often a result of long-term stress or inflammation in the digestive system. Common causes include:
❌ Processed, inflammatory foods
– Sugar, gluten, industrial seed oils, and additives can weaken the gut lining.
❌ Chronic stress
– High cortisol levels affect gut immunity and digestion.
❌ Medications
– Long-term use of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), antibiotics, or the Pill can disrupt the gut barrier and microbiome.
❌ Dysbiosis (Imbalanced Gut Bacteria)
– Overgrowth of harmful bacteria or yeast like Candida damages the gut lining.
❌ Toxin exposure
– Environmental chemicals, alcohol, and mold can contribute to permeability.
How I Help Clients Heal Leaky Gut
As a naturopath, my approach to healing leaky gut focuses on restoring gut integrity, calming inflammation, and rebuilding the microbiome. It’s never one-size-fits-all, every gut is unique.
Here’s what a gut healing protocol might include:
✅ 1. Personalised Nutrition Plan
We start by removing triggering foods (like gluten, dairy, refined sugar) and adding in gut-healing nutrients.
✅ 2. Botanical Medicine for Gut Repair
I use targeted botanical medicine formulas to reduce inflammation, fight dysbiosis, and support gut lining repair. Common herbs include:
✅ 3. Microbiome Rebalancing
Once the gut lining is supported, we begin to reintroduce beneficial probiotics and prebiotics, tailored to your needs.
✅ 4. Nervous System & Stress Support
The gut-brain axis plays a huge role. Calming the nervous system is key to long-term gut healing.
Herbal adaptogens
Nervine tonics
Breathwork & lifestyle strategies
✅ 5. Lifestyle & Sleep Optimisation
Gut repair isn’t just about what you eat - sleep, movement, and stress management all impact healing.
Ready to Heal Your Gut?
If you’re struggling with digestive symptoms, food sensitivities, fatigue or skin issues - leaky gut could be the root cause.
I offer personalised gut healing protocols designed to:
✅ Identify your triggers
✅ Support gut repair
✅ Rebalance the microbiome
✅ Restore energy, digestion & skin health
Book Your Naturopathic Consultation Today
Let’s work together to get to the root cause and heal your gut.