Part Two:

Leaky Gut: A Peek Behind the Intestinal Wall

This month, I registered for an intensive digestion program as well as a C.H.E.K. Lifestyle Coaching Certification. I have always been very passionate about getting my clients – of all ages and fitness levels – the results they desire for their health and fitness. After twenty years in the fitness industry, I want to continue digging for answers so I can resolve any barriers my clients may have in losing weight and feeling better. As with anything else, there is no “one size fits all” solution to these issues, especially if a client has digestion problems such as a leaky gut or autoimmune disorder.

So let’s explore what causes a leaky gut. How does one get a leaky gut? I wondered how this happens especially for an active and healthy individual, such as myself, who is a very “clean eater”. My gut problems compelled me to dig a little deeper into digestion, holistic nutrition and gut health. Sexy topics, I know.

My first “aha” moment was this: We are not what we eat but rather what our body can do with what we eat. In short, how we fuel our bodies is dictated by what we can actually breakdown and absorb into our body. What does “breakdown and absorb” mean? What is the function of our digestion system? Andrea from Holistic Nutrition Lab in Portland, OR explains it this way, “Food is the carrier for microscopic nutrition or the chemical component of the food that we eat. The digestion system is the highway for sending the nutrients throughout body to our cells as the final destination.” All cells require energy from the outside in order to grow, repair and respond. So if we are eating foods that our digestive system isn’t able to breakdown, then we are essentially pinching off the air supply to the cellular system. No wonder, then, that our bodies (including our gut!) begin to break down over time.

We have to learn to look at the root cause for our health problems and find the individual solutions and root cause rather than treating a symptom with medications.  Approximately 70% of all Americans will suffer from digestion disease or dysfunction in their lifetime and most people have no idea that they can improve their gut health!

Genetics, leaky gut and bacterial imbalances are all related to our gut health. Our daily diet is fundamental to our gut health, which is connected to organs including thyroid. We need to look at how and what we eat, how we process what we eat, and how we feel from what we eat. Only then can we begin to resolve a multitude of issues.

Up next, we’ll explore how to address and fix a leaky gut.