What Is The Best Supplements for Leaky Gut?

Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition where undigested proteins like gluten, microbes and even toxins can pass into the bloodstream.

Also known as intestinal permeability, Leaky Gut Syndrome can increase your chances of several chronic conditions if left untreated.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to improve your gut health and tackle the symptoms of a leaky gut, from supplements for leaky gut to changing your diet.

Everyone’s guts are semi-permeable, as the lining of our intestines transfers water and nutrients from our food into our bloodstream, though some people’s guts let in larger, potentially toxic molecules. In a healthy gut, your intestines are resistant to harmful substances and only allow useful nutrients to pass into your bloodstream, but this barrier can break down over time, requiring medical treatment or supplements for leaky gut syndrome.

These ‘leaks’ may be letting toxins into your bloodstream, causing widespread inflammation, which can trigger an immune response if not treated with the best supplements for leaky gut or medical treatment. However, there is no easy way to cure Leaky Gut Syndrome, as it is often linked to chronic gastrointestinal issues, though there are many ways to manage your symptoms.

How do you heal a leaky gut fast?

Leaky gut syndrome is when the tight junctions between cells lining your small intestine loosen, allowing fragments of bacteria and undigested food to enter your bloodstream. These leaks are often due to the protective mucous layer in your gut breaking down due to inflammation, which is often caused by lifestyle factors, so even the best supplements for leaky gut may not help as much as meaningful lifestyle changes.

Adopting a ‘leaky gut diet’ of healthy, whole foods that is low in ultra-processed foods and includes supplements for leaky gut syndrome is one of the most effective things you can do to improve your leaky gut. However, the time it takes to heal a leaky gut will be different for everyone, and while many gut conditions can improve in a matter of weeks, most leaky gut treatments focus on long-term solutions rather than quick fixes.

Other Supplements for Leaky Gut Syndrome

In addition to these three, there are a variety of other supplements that can help treat leaky gut syndrome, reduce inflammation and support the healing of your gut lining, including:

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral with well-known immune-boosting benefits, and a 2001 study found that zinc supplements helped strengthen the gut lining of people with Crohn’s disease.

Collagen peptides

Collagen peptides are a more digestible and bioavailable form of collagen that may prevent the breakdown of the intestinal lining and tackle gut inflammation, making them desirable in gut healing supplements.

Fiber and butyrate

Dietary fiber helps support a healthy gut microbiome and helps your gut flora produce butyrate – an amino acid that supports mucus production and improves your gut lining – though you can enjoy the same benefits by supplementing with butyrate.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL)

Licorice root is a natural laxative with nearly 75 bioactive compounds, including glycyrrhizin (GL), which causes adverse effects in humans. One of the best ways to enjoy its benefits – like reducing gut inflammation – is with glycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) gut cleanse supplements.

Curcumin

Curcumin – the main active compound in turmeric – has anti-inflammatory effects that may help reduce intestinal permeability, though it has not yet been tested in clinical leaky gut treatments.

Berberine

Berberine is a bioactive plant-based alkaloid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that has historically been used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, though there is limited evidence to support claims it is the best vitamin for gut health.

How do I get rid of inflammation in my gut?

You may be accustomed to managing the unpleasant symptoms of common gastrointestinal diseases, but much of this comes down to one underlying factor – inflammation. Fortunately, there’s lots you can do to tackle your gut inflammation that doesn’t involve shelling out for gut health supplements, such as:

Eating an anti-inflammatory diet

Avoid inflammatory food and drink like refined carbs, artificial sweeteners and highly processed foods, opting instead for anti-inflammatory foods like:

• Colourful berries like cherries and grapes
• Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage
• Turmeric, cinnamon and fenugreek
• Olive and coconut oil

Trying an elimination diet

If you suspect certain foods trigger inflammation in your gut, try eliminating foods that may be linked to your gut issues for 2-3 weeks before turning to gut cleanse supplements. Some foods that commonly trigger inflammation include:

• Soy
• Dairy
• Citrus Fruits
• Nightshade Vegetables*
• Gluten

*Nightshade vegetables are a broad group of plants from the solanum and capsicum families, including tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, chilli peppers, eggplants, tomatillos and blueberries.

Lowering your stress levels

Stress, especially frequent or chronic stress, is linked to inflammation, so try to reduce your stress levels with relaxing activities like meditation, yoga, or a walk around the block to reduce inflammation alongside the best supplements for leaky gut.

Taking Probiotics

Probiotics help promote a healthy gut microbiome, which improves your body’s response to inflammation whether you get your probiotics from foods (like yogurt, kimchi or kombucha) or supplements.

Ensure you’re getting enough nutrients

Your body needs plenty of nutrients to fight inflammation, so make sure you’re getting a balanced diet high in anti-inflammatory nutrients like vitamin D, omega 3s and magnesium or take supplements for leaky gut to boost your intake.

Can leaky gut be cured permanently?

Unfortunately, no known treatment or gut health supplements can permanently cure leaky gut syndrome or the gastrointestinal diseases that cause it. Mainstream medicine generally recognizes Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) – AKA increased intestinal permeability – as a symptom of other diseases, not a condition of its own, so research is mainly focused on gastrointestinal diseases, not LGS itself.

Subsequently, most knowledge of leaky gut syndrome stems from research on other conditions, like IBS, Crohn’s disease and colitis, which cannot be permanently cured as far as we know. Because most gastrointestinal diseases are caused by inflammation or genetic factors, the closest thing to a permanent ‘cure’ lies not in supplements for leaky gut, but in being lucky enough not to have a genetic predisposition to LGS and making healthy lifestyle changes like:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Taking probiotics
• Limiting your intake of alcohol and NSAIDs*
• Reducing stress
• Quitting smoking

*Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (or NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen can increase your risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and leaky gut syndrome.

Conclusion

Leaky gut syndrome – or increased intestinal permeability – is often misunderstood, not least because it is medically recognized as a symptom of other gastrointestinal diseases. Fortunately, it can be treated with simple lifestyle changes and supplements for leaky gut, though there is no quick fix or single supplement for leaky gut syndrome or the gastrointestinal diseases that can cause it.

If you suffer from Leaky Gut Syndrome symptoms (especially if these symptoms persist over long periods), you may have an underlying gastrointestinal disease. Many gastrointestinal diseases are best treated early, so consider seeing a doctor about your symptoms rather than relying on leaky gut treatment supplements which are not clinically proven.