Leaky Gut can progress due to any one, (or combination), of the following;
Stress – when you are in constant stress mode, “Flight/Fight” response, your digestive system becomes stressed as well. Check out our web page on “Stress” for a detailed explanation of how this occurs.
Toxins – these can be external, (such as cigarette smoke, plastics), or internal, (such as hormones).
Diet – sugar, dairy and gluten are common causes of leaky gut. In fact, eating gluten causes leaky gut in every single person! However, this does not progress to IBS in everyone.
Drugs – antibiotics, whilst good at killing bad bacteria, will also wipe out your good gut bacteria as well. Certain pain killers can destroy your gut wall lining, leading to ulcers.
Parasites – anything which normally should not live inside you, when introduced, could cause you problems, like salmonella and listeria.
Good bacteria/bad bacteria balance – anything which throws out the balance of your normal gut bugs, puts you into a state known as “dysbiosis”, which inflames your gut lining.
When any of the above occur, your gut will become inflamed, causing the cells lining your gut wall to “leak”, or open up the gaps in between each cell. Then, the contents within your gut gets exposed to your blood stream, and immune system, setting up a chain reaction of inflammation , which can spread right through your body.