Your Gut Isn’t Just Leaking Vibes - It’s Leaking Everything
Nutrients, toxins, inflammation, and probably your last shred of patience.
Let’s break it down.
What Even Is Leaky Gut?
“Leaky gut” (or increased intestinal permeability, if you want to sound smart at brunch) is what happens when the lining of your intestines, which should act like a tightly controlled velvet rope, gets damaged.
Instead of just letting the good stuff through (like nutrients), it starts letting in uninvited guests:
• Undigested food particles
• Pathogenic bacteria
• Inflammatory toxins
Once they sneak past the gut lining and hit your bloodstream, your immune system loses the plot. Cue systemic inflammation, skin freak-outs, brain fog, and symptoms that make you question whether your body’s in a feud with itself.
Do You Have Leaky Gut?
You might. But don’t self-diagnose just yet.
Here are some common signs:
• Bloating after meals
• Brain fog
• Food sensitivities
• Skin issues (eczema, acne, rashes)
• Fatigue (like, “I’m tired in my soul” tired)
• Joint pain
• Anxiety and mood swings
• Autoimmune flares
• Candida overgrowth that just. won’t. die.
Still not sure?
Leaky gut needs confirmation from a qualified practitioner, it's not a TikTok trend you can treat with vibes alone. Visit our Practitioner & Wellness Clinics Directory to find a naturopath or functional medicine doctor near you (search under those categories).
Can You Test for It?
Technically yes, but most tests are imperfect or indirect:
• Zonulin blood test (measures a protein that modulates gut permeability)
• Lactulose/mannitol urine test (shows what’s leaking through)
• GI Map or stool tests (flags inflammation, candida, or gut imbalances)
Your symptoms are often the loudest clue. But for a proper diagnosis, we always recommend checking in with a practitioner. Find one in our Wellness Directory.
Related Realness: MTHFR, Candida & Co.
Leaky gut rarely rides solo. It’s usually part of a toxic little squad:
• MTHFR gene mutation = poor detox, slow methylation, gut wall can't repair
• Candida overgrowth = literally pokes holes in your gut lining
• Histamine intolerance = a whole new level of food drama
• Sluggish liver = backup on detox duty
• Adrenal fatigue = no buffer for stress, which flares gut issues even more
If this reads like your medical bingo card, you’re not alone.
Phase 1: Remove Triggers
Start by taking out the most common irritants:
• Gluten, dairy, sugar, and alcohol
• Fermented foods (yes, even kombucha - sorry)
• Lectins (especially from nightshades: tomato, eggplant, capsicum, potato)
• NSAIDs (like ibuprofen, known gut punchers)
• Industrial seed oils (sunflower, canola, soy)
This isn't forever. It's rehab.
Phase 2: Calm the Inflammation
Bring in the soothing troops:
• Bone broth (homemade or powdered, we’re not judging)
• Slippery elm, marshmallow root, and aloe vera (gut-lining MVPs)
• Glutamine powder (fuel for repair)
• Zinc carnosine + quercetin (anti-inflammatory power duo)
• Dandelion root tea (liver-loving and gut-soothing)
• Chamomile or peppermint tea (calm in a cup)
• Omega-3s (fish or algae oil)
• Curcumin (if tolerated, go liposomal)
Phase 3: Rebuild + Rebalance
Once you've cleared the smoke, it's time to fortify the castle:
• Methylated B12 + folate (especially if MTHFR is in play)
• Saccharomyces boulardii (good yeast that fights bad yeast)
• Digestive enzymes or bitters
• Low-histamine probiotics
• Liver support: dandelion root, taurine, milk thistle
What About Histamine?
If your gut is leaky and your detox pathways are sluggish, histamine doesn’t clear properly and everything you eat becomes a drama.
High-histamine foods to avoid:
Fermented anything, aged meats, leftovers, spinach, tomatoes, vinegar.
Low-histamine foods to love:
Fresh protein, coconut, zucchini, blueberries, gut-soothing herbs (like thyme and oregano).
Timeline: How Long to Heal?
If you’re consistent, most mild-to-moderate leaky gut cases see big improvements in 8–12 weeks. Some feel better in as little as 2–3 weeks. If your inflammation’s been partying since the iPod shuffle era, it might take longer.
Eat This
• Steamed veggies (zucchini, kale, carrot, spinach)
• Clean protein (chicken, turkey, lamb, fish)
• Bone broth
• Healthy fats (olive oil, ghee, coconut oil)
• Herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano)
Avoid This
• Gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol
• Nightshades (tomato, capsicum, eggplant)
• Fermented foods
• Seed oils
• Leftovers over 24 hours old (histamine creeps)
What Else Can Help?
While leaky gut isn’t the same as candida overgrowth, the two often show up to the same party and a lot of the things that help one will ease the other. That’s why we’ve created a range of Candida-Friendly Recipes that are low-histamine, gut-soothing, and actually edible. No sad chicken and plain rice here.
→ [Explore Candida-Friendly Recipes]
And if you're ready to start stocking your pantry with tools that won’t backfire, head to our shop for the full list of products. We’re just getting started, but right now you’ll find:
• Dandelion Root
• Marshmallow Root
• Milk Thistle
• Digestive Bitters
• Taurine
• Curcumin (from Turermeric) - low-histamine
• Probiotics and Saccharomyces boulardii
→ [Browse Gut & Liver Products]
Still not sure if this is what you’re dealing with? Don’t guess. Our Functional Medicine & Wellness Clinics can run the right tests, give you real answers, and help you build a plan that’s actually based on you.
→ [Find a Practitioner]
(When you get to our directory, search under naturopath, Doctor, Ingrative GP and Functional Medicine)
Article Dated: 24 May 2025
