Yesterday, I introduced this odd term “leaky gut,” which is basically another, simpler way of saying “intestinal hyperpermeability.” In essence, the lining of the intestines is compromised, so proteins that should leave the body are absorbed.

When this happens, your immune system, which is already working hard to keep you healthy, has a new ‘breach in the wall’ that it has to send soldiers to deal with.

This creates more inflammation and problems downstream.

For example, more and more research is suggesting that there is a connection between digestive health and chronic diseases such as diabetes, colitis, Alzheimer’s!

This article touches on a variety of these illnesses and lists a number of studies that might be worth checking out.

At first, people often just experience mild symptoms – bloating, upset stomach, loose stools, reflux, etc.

They treat these with over-the-counter medications which help in the short run, but might make things worse in the long!

As time progresses they become vulnerable to developing more serious conditions like those listed above.

This often leads to taking more medications, which, again, help in some ways, but create new problems in others.

It’s a pretty vicious downward cycle for many folks. And it all started with the gut.

Tomorrow, I’ll share some of my strategies for assessing my patients’ digestive health.