When you don't drink enough water, you might cause inflammation of the intestinal lining. This can lead to leaky gut symptoms such as bloating and cramps. If you drink a glass of water after every meal, you will help flush out toxins and help the digestion of the food you've just eaten.
By providing enough plain water, your body will be able to reduce the pain from inflammation in the gut as it can help in transferring the temperature changes happening in the cell.
A balanced diet, complete with all the necessary macronutrients and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) can help fortify your gut. Vitamin D and an amino acid called L-glutamine may specifically help repair your gut lining.
It can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months to fully heal the gut. After all, since Leaky Gut Syndrome does not develop overnight, curing this condition will take some time.
Lemon water has several health benefits thanks to its high vitamin C concentration, flavonoid content, and acidity. Both flavonoids and vitamin C are strong antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory effects, therefore they may protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation in the body.
“[Lemon water] improves gut transit and hydrates the colon,” says Parada, which is why it can help with constipation, especially on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. In addition, lemon, being rich in fiber, also favors gut health.
Increase Your Magnesium Intake
Magnesium can help repair your gut wall, which is particularly important if you're struggling with a leaky gut. In fact, a high magnesium-to-calcium ratio has been linked to reduced intestinal permeability or leaky gut.
If you have leaky gut syndrome, you should avoid these foods: refined carbohydrates, glutinous grains, white sugar, dairy products, vegetable oils, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and caffeine.
“Leaky gut can happen quickly depending on your diet, medications and stress,” says Dr. La Vella. “The good news is the gut can also heal quickly with stress reduction, eating well and not taking medications that damage the gut or weaken the mucosal lining.”
Fatty fish like salmon is another choice that can be cooked in ways that work well for a leaky gut diet. Just be sure not to overcook the meat, as this can make the fibers tough to chew (and digest). Eggs are another protein source that can be cooked in a variety of ways and pair well with other nutritious foods.
Which foods are causes of leaky gut? Inflammatory foods such as gluten and dairy are considered one of the leading causes of leaky gut. Toxic foods including sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods can also cause leaky gut.
An anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, good quality sleep, and probiotics are all strategies to put in place before trying antimicrobials or antibiotics to get rid of bad bacteria.
While there are many uses and health benefits of apple cider vinegar, the way it's thought to help leaky gut is by killing the yeast. If you suffer from candida and it's contributing to your symptoms of leaky gut, a tonic of apple cider vinegar may help restore some balance to your gut.
The biggest way to tell if your leaky gut is healing is when your energy and vitality have returned, you've regained mental clarity, your mood has improved, you've returned to your ideal weight, and you feel like your best self. It's important to remember that, as with most health concerns, gut health is on a spectrum.
"Leaky gut syndrome" is said to have symptoms including bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, and aches and pains.
Symptoms often include bloating, nausea, and cramping, but “because the gut impacts our entire body, it can also cause headaches, rashes, fatigue, and joint pain,” Whyte says.