So what is a Leaky Gut? Well, imagine sitting outside on a porch with a nice cup of
tea, you’re on the inside; all the bugs, spiders, and mosquitoes are on the outside and
so you’re quite comfortable. Next, imagine that you’re sitting on the same porch but
your screened-in porch has morphed into a chain-link fence, and all the bugs and creepy
crawling things are coming in & out and now able to hurt you possibly…you’re no
longer happy!

The benefits of tight junctions:

The intestinal lining of the gut can be compared to this analogy. When the junctions
are tight, it allows only good substances to pass through. All nutrients are absorbed,
giving your gut healthy bacteria and immune cells to prevent infections, bacteria,
viruses, and fungi. A healthy gut also keeps you happy because many
neurotransmitters are produced in the gut. It communicates with the brain through
nerves and hormones which help maintain your overall wellbeing.

Testing for leaky gut:

One of the most popular tests we provide throughout the US
at our practice, The Olive Leaf, LLC, is the GI map. This test
checks your gut for pathogens (bad guys), opportunistic
organisms (more bad guys), normal flora (good guys), and GI
markers like zonulin, which is a biomarker for increased
intestinal permeability. GI map testing permits us to see the
overall health of your gut microbiome and helps us find out if
you have a condition known as “Leaky Gut Syndrome”.
GI Map Testing and Neurotransmitter Testing.

What is leaky gut syndrome?:

Several years ago, Leaky Gut Syndrome was not considered a true condition within the medical community primarily because medical experts found it difficult to isolate a specific diagnosis. This is understandable because patients experience various symptoms that could fall under many health conditions. Their complaints include various digestive issues: bloating, gas, pain, inflammation, and chronic illnesses. These symptoms are not unique to Leaky Gut; therefore, Leaky Gut Syndrome is not a condition taught in medical school. However, in Functional Medicine and Chiropractic, we are always searching for a cause. We believe that certain underlying conditions are causative and the symptoms are
just the tip of the iceberg. Another test we provide at The Olive Leaf is neurotransmitter testing to check the levels of excitatory & inhibitory neurotransmitters, cortisol, and hormones, especially if someone has anxiety and depression.

Having a leaky gut means that the intestinal lining has become more permeable, allowing unwanted particles and substances to enter the bloodstream and is usually a result of chronic inflammation. It can cause pain, bloating, gas, indigestion, fatigue, and food sensitivities. Also, it is important to remember that all these symptoms can be related to other GI conditions such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, H. pylori (another bad guy), or other serious conditions so you should always have them evaluated by a gastroenterologist.

What to do? 

Once you have identified that you have a “Leaky Gut, ” lifestyle changes can help repair your gut lining. Diet plays a big role, so it is good to figure out what can contribute to your issues. The easiest and
the most cost-effective way to find out is to do a ‘food elimination diet for 30
days. You can find resources for this online. Or, if you would like free access
for an elimination diet that I recommend, you can email
[email protected], mention ‘Xooma Member’ in your subject
line and we will send you a link to an app that will guide you through the
process.

Also, you can start consuming foods that promote the growth of
beneficial gut bacteria, including certain fruits, cultured dairy products,
healthy fats, lean meats, fibrous & fermented veggies (like sauerkraut), and foods high in resistant starches, and pasture-raised eggs. Avoid processed and refined junk foods (the bad guy buddies).
Finding top-quality nutritional health supplements can work wonders when given the potency of specific
ingredients to help combat the challenging symptoms. Several key elements can make a
supplement highly effective for treating leaky gut and combat the main issues that cause leaky gut such
as inflammation, imbalance of bacteria, and a permeable intestinal lining.
30-day Food Elimination Diet

Xooma carries a superb line of GI supplements that are designed to achieve the following:

• Restore a healthy balance of good bacteria.
• Repair and strengthen the intestinal wall.
• Promote normal digestive function.

Restore a healthy balance of good bacteria:

The first product I recommend is Xooma’s “Probiotix™”. I was honored to have
taken part in the formulation of this product and can attest to the effectiveness
of its ingredients. Probiotix contains 8 clinically researched strains to replenish
your gut with beneficial bacteria (the good guys) and 30 billion CFUs per
capsule probiotix contains a prebiotic formula known as NutraFlora® which
is unique to this specific probiotic. Most of us are familiar with probiotics because they are spoken about in our favorite yogurt commercials. Their job is to populate and colonize the digestive tract with beneficial bacterial colonies. Unlike probiotics, prebiotics aren’t as popular but are extremely important! They are the food and nutrients that feed probiotics to stimulate probiotic activity in your GI tract. Probiotics alone cannot keep up with the constant battle against opportunistic bacteria. So basically, the prebiotic is there to encourage the probiotic colonies to thrive, and to promote general well-being. Like Batman and Robin, they ‘tag team’ the bad guys to help keep your gut in good shape.

Repair and strengthen the intestinal wall:

I am also very excited about Xooma’s newest product ‘Xiome 365™’, a comprehensive daily health beverage that tastes great and makes you feel great! I love how Xooma again focuses on the
importance of probiotic nutrients and a specific probiotic strain known as Akkermansia. If you’re on
social media, you see a lot of hype over this specific bacterium regarding gut health and GI permeability.
You can add in artichokes, onions, chicory, garlic (raw rubbed on toast), and leeks
to your food. They can provide a good foundation of prebiotics through food.

Akermansia (a good guy):

These super beneficial gut bacteria were originally identified in 2004 and are a species of bacteria that helps maintain the gut lining and possesses many other health benefits. Akkermansia
(a really good guy) lives in harmony with you because its job is to strengthen
your gut barrier and keep your immune system working well. It lives on the
mucous layer of your gut lining, making it self-sufficient, and its presence is
associated with healthy individuals. Patients who suffer from irritable bowel
disease tend to have lower levels of these beneficial bacteria. If
Akkermansia is low; you have an increased risk of developing ‘Leaky Gut’.
Xiome 365 is an outstanding supportive product for Leaky Gut with many
other benefits that can help you maintain healthy GI function.

Promote normal digestive function:

The optimal way to keep your digestive system and total body function at 100 percent is by staying
hydrated. It does not matter how many supplements you take. If you are dehydrated and your PH is acidic, maintaining wellness will be difficult. There is a free digital app I routinely recommend to my patients called ‘Plant Nanny’ to help remind them to drink their water throughout the day.  Subsequently, many try to drink tons of water all at once to hydrate, but our body can only absorb about 4 ounces of water every hour. Plant Nanny sends you a nice reminder to take a sip of water and in return, grow a little virtual garden. Your app will show you a skull and crossbones if you do not drink enough water.

Benefits of X20 Water sachets:

For those who add X20™, we know that it is a wonderful
way of drinking healthy water that provides 70 trace minerals
and alkalizes water to 9.5. You will never return to ordinary
water again! I have had so many patients rave about how they
have less pain and less constipation when they start drinking
X2O regularly.

On a Personal note:

I feel honored to be part of Xooma’s Scientific Advisory Board and always look forward to sharing health
information with our listeners on their Health Education calls. Xooma’s excellent reputation, high-quality products, external independent monitoring & testing, and an incredible risk-free, money-back guarantee policy, make Xooma a company you want to purchase supplements from. If you aren’t
already, you may want to consider partnering with Xooma to help your family and friends stay healthy.

For additional health tips from The Olive Leaf, LLC, follow
theoliveleaf_naturalhealth on Instagram. And, if you are interested
in a more in-depth approach to finding the root of your health
issues, you can schedule a remote or in-office appointment by
visiting www.theoliveleaf.com and clicking on the Schedule tab.

Yours In Health,
Melissa Bennett, ND
404-997-9989