Leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a condition in which the lining of the intestines becomes damaged, allowing harmful substances to "leak" through into the bloodstream. These substances can include toxins, bacteria, and undigested food particles. The resulting inflammation can lead to a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and fatigue.

There are many potential causes of Leaky Gut, including poor diet, alcoholism, infections, stress, and certain medications. When the gut barrier is compromised, it can lead to a variety of health problems, such as food allergies, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.

Leaky gut is also associated with a number of autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and type 1 diabetes. In fact, some researchers believe that leaky gut may be the cause of these conditions along with other factors. For example, studies have shown that people with celiac disease are more likely to have a leaky gut than those without the condition.

If you suspect that you may have a leaky gut, it is important to get the appropriate testing such as blood or stool test where we can test for zonulin which is an indication of leaky gut. This testing can also reveal potential causes of leaky gut: high histamine, low DAO, antibodies to intestinal cells, and immune activation to bacteria.

A food intolerance is when your body has difficulty digesting a particular type of food. This is different from a food allergy, which is when your body has an immune reaction to a specific food. While food intolerances are not life-threatening, they can cause uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. Food intolerances are often caused by lack of enzymes that help to break down the offending food. For example, someone who is lactose intolerant may lack the enzyme lactase, which breaks down milk sugar. People with food intolerances can often eat small amounts of the offending food without experiencing any symptoms. However, if they eat too much or eat it too often, they may start to experience bothersome symptoms.

Food sensitivities occur when the immune system reacts to a particular protein in food. Common signs and symptoms of food sensitivities include gastrointestinal distress, skin reactions, fatigue and headaches and even joint pain. Not to be confused with food intolerances which are more common or food allergies are more serious, as they can result in anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction. 

Testing for food sensitivities can also help connect the dots when it comes to chronic or unexplained symptoms. Doing an elimination diet or avoiding that food may also help you reach your health goals faster.