by Dr. Lisa Ballehr
Several factors contribute to the breakdown of your gut lining, leading to inflammation and digestive issues.
🔹 Poor Diet – processed foods, gluten, dairy, sugar, artificial additives
🔹 Chronic Stress – raises cortisol, disrupts gut bacteria
🔹 Toxin Exposure – pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals, mold
🔹 Overuse of Medications – antibiotics, NSAIDs (ibuprofen), acid blockers
🔹 Gut Infections – Candida overgrowth, SIBO, H. pylori
🔹 Food Sensitivities – gluten, dairy, soy, corn, sugar
🔹 Imbalanced Gut Bacteria – low beneficial bacteria, high harmful bacteria
If left untreated, leaky gut can lead to chronic disease, autoimmunity, and neurological issues.
How to Fix Leaky Gut Naturally
1. Remove Trigger Foods 🚫
✔ Eliminate inflammatory foods – gluten, dairy, sugar, processed foods
✔ Avoid alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and trans fats
✔ Limit antibiotics & NSAIDs, as they destroy gut lining
2. Heal the Gut with Nutrient-Dense Foods 🥑
✔ Eat organic, whole foods (vegetables, healthy fats, high-quality protein)
✔ Add bone broth & collagen – rich in amino acids that repair the gut lining
✔ Include fermented foods – sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, yogurt, miso
✔ Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins
3. Reduce Stress & Support Digestion 🧘♂️
✔ Practice deep breathing, meditation, yoga
✔ Get 7-9 hours of sleep for gut repair
✔ Chew food thoroughly to aid digestion
4. Take Gut-Healing Supplements 💊
✔ L-Glutamine – repairs gut lining
✔ Probiotics & Prebiotics – restores beneficial bacteria
✔ Digestive Enzymes – helps break down food properly
✔ Zinc & Vitamin D – reduces gut inflammation
✔ Quercetin & Curcumin – supports immune response
5. Test & Treat Gut Infections 🦠
✔ Check for Candida, SIBO, or H. pylori – a stool or breath test can detect these
✔ Work with a functional medicine doctor to eliminate infections & restore balance
How Long Does It Take to Heal Leaky Gut?
✅ Mild cases – can see improvement in 2-4 weeks
✅ Moderate cases – may take 3-6 months
✅ Severe cases – may require 6-12 months or longer
Healing depends on how much damage has been done and how consistently you follow the protocol.
Get to the Root Cause with Functional Medicine
If you suspect leaky gut is affecting your health, a functional medicine approach can help identify food sensitivities, gut imbalances, and inflammation triggers.
👩⚕️ Dr. Lisa Ballehr specializes in gut health & inflammation – helping patients heal naturally through personalized protocols.
📅 Schedule a consultation today and start your journey to healing your gut & restoring your health naturally.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Leaky gut is caused by poor diet, stress, toxins, and gut imbalances
✔ Symptoms include digestive issues, brain fog, fatigue, skin conditions, and autoimmune disorders
✔ Healing requires removing trigger foods, eating gut-healing nutrients, reducing stress, and supplementing properly
✔ Functional medicine identifies and treats the root cause, not just symptoms
Would you like more guidance on testing or personalized supplements? Let me know how I can help! 🚀
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