Is Leaky Gut Making You Sick? Signs, Causes, and Natural Solutions
- Jared C. Pistoia, ND
- Jan 21
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 23
Do you struggle with bloating, fatigue, brain fog, or chronic inflammation? These symptoms might seem unrelated—but they could all point to one hidden root cause: leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut has become a hot topic in holistic health, and for good reason. When your gut barrier becomes compromised, it can trigger widespread issues throughout your body—affecting everything from digestion and immunity to mood and energy.
In this article, I'll discuss
The most common leaky gut symptoms
What actually causes your gut to become "leaky"
How leaky gut contributes to chronic illness
And simple, natural steps to start healing your gut today!
What Is Leaky Gut?
Your gut isn’t just a digestive tube—it’s a protective barrier. Its job is to absorb nutrients while keeping harmful substances like toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles out of your bloodstream.
When that barrier becomes too porous—a condition known as leaky gut—these harmful substances slip through. This can trigger widespread inflammation, confuse your immune system, and set the stage for chronic health problems.
Modern science refers to this as increased intestinal permeability. But over a century ago, naturopath Dr. Henry Lindlahr called it toxemia—the buildup of toxins due to poor elimination and gut dysfunction.
Common Leaky Gut Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Leaky gut can manifest in ways you might not immediately connect to digestion.
Watch for these signs:
Chronic bloating, gas, or digestive discomfort
Food sensitivities that seem to increase over time
Fatigue or persistent brain fog
Joint pain or generalized inflammation
Skin issues like acne, eczema, or rashes
Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
Autoimmune flare-ups (e.g., thyroid issues, arthritis)
If you're checking off several of these symptoms, your gut barrier could be compromised.
What Causes Leaky Gut?
Several modern lifestyle factors weaken the gut lining and disrupt your microbiome:
Diet high in processed foods, sugar, and refined carbs
Chronic stress
Overuse of medications like NSAIDs, antibiotics, or antacids
Exposure to environmental toxins (pesticides, chemicals)
Imbalance in gut bacteria (dysbiosis)
Dr. Lindlahr warned of this over 100 years ago, referring to these habits as violations of “nature’s laws”—leading to toxemia and chronic disease.
How Leaky Gut Leads to Chronic Illness
A compromised gut doesn’t just cause digestive issues—it can fuel systemic inflammation, which is now recognized as a root cause of many chronic conditions:
Autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
Mood disorders through the gut-brain axis (anxiety, depression)
Skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema
Even neurological concerns like Alzheimer’s disease
When toxins and inflammatory molecules leak into your bloodstream, your body stays in a constant state of defense—wearing down your immune system and vital organs over time.
How to Heal Leaky Gut Naturally
The good news? Your gut has an incredible ability to repair—if you remove the stressors and give it the right support.
Here’s where to start:
Eat whole, unprocessed foods
Focus on vegetables, healthy fats, clean proteins, and fermented foods.
Support your microbiome
Include probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods (like sauerkraut, kefir, garlic, onions).
👉 Learn more about the microbiome here
Avoid common irritants
Reduce gluten, refined sugar, excessive alcohol, and processed foods.
Manage stress
Chronic stress weakens digestion—practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or gentle movement.
Stay hydrated
Water supports detox pathways and keeps digestion flowing.
Honor your body’s rhythms
Rest, move daily, and spend time in nature—just as Lindlahr advised.
Nature Cure Wisdom for Modern Gut Health
Dr. Henry Lindlahr taught that chronic disease often develops when we violate the natural laws of health—through poor diet, inactivity, emotional stress, and disconnection from nature.
But he didn’t stop there. Lindlahr also warned against the suppression of acute illnesses—like colds, fevers, or gastrointestinal infections—using drugs that block the body’s natural healing processes. Unless the acute illnesses threaten our lives, we can likely manage them without drugs.
He believed that these acute reactions were the body's way of cleansing toxins and restoring balance. When suppressed, the risk was that acute conditions could silently evolve into chronic disease.
Today, modern research on the gut microbiome, inflammation, and chronic illness validates much of his insight. Suppressing symptoms—whether through lifestyle habits or medications—can disrupt gut function, immunity, and the body’s ability to detoxify.
By returning to these timeless principles—nourishing your body, calming your mind, supporting natural elimination, and respecting the body’s healing wisdom—you can restore gut integrity and promote long-term wellness.
“The greatest principle of Nature Cure is that every acute disease is the result of a cleansing and healing effort of Nature.” — Dr. Henry Lindlahr
Key Takeaways
Leaky gut is linked to digestive issues, chronic inflammation, and many long-term illnesses.
Poor diet, stress, toxins, and gut imbalances are major contributors.
Healing starts with simple lifestyle shifts—guided by both modern
science and naturopathic wisdom.
Your body wants to heal—you just need to give it the right environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first signs of leaky gut?
Digestive discomfort, food sensitivities, fatigue, skin issues, and brain fog are common early signs.
Can leaky gut cause autoimmune disease?
Yes, research links increased gut permeability to autoimmune conditions due to chronic inflammation and immune system confusion.
How long does it take to heal leaky gut naturally?
Everyone is different, but with consistent lifestyle changes, many people notice improvements within a few weeks to months.
What foods should I avoid with leaky gut?
Processed foods, sugar, gluten, excessive alcohol, and artificial additives are best minimized.
Ready to address the root cause of your symptoms?
Whether you're dealing with digestive issues, fatigue, or chronic inflammation, I can help you develop a personalized plan to restore your gut health.
