Just imagine food you’ve consumed, but not fully digested, instead of passing through the digestive system naturally (where its nutrients are extracted from its waste), passing through perforations in the intestines. And then just imagine toxins from your food and drink doing the same. Doesn’t sound good, does it? Unfortunately, this is exactly what sufferers of leaky gut syndrome know only too well.

Also called intestinal hyperpermeability, this intestinal disorder often develops when the gut has become inflamed, usually thanks to dietary, metabolic or environmental factors. But what can sufferers do to mitigate its symptoms or even prevent the syndrome developing in the first place? Well, tackling the environment factors that could be behind it might for many people be far easier said than done, but another approach is through diet – through trying to introduce into your diet (and replace ‘bad foods’ in your diet with) foods that are especially good for a leaky gut.

Here are five examples to consider:

• Coconut – it’s the medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in coconuts that make them so good for those suffering from a leaky gut. Why? Because digestive systems find MCFAs easier to digest than other fats (healthy fatty acids or not), which means they’re, of course, easier on the gut itself. Plus, the fermented yogurt-esque food that’s coconut kefir also comprises probiotics, with their terrific health-friendly properties (see below).
• Fermented foods – packed full of the ‘good bacteria’ that are probiotics, which are essential for reducing the level of ‘bad bacteria’ in your gut, fermented foods (such as sauerkraut and kimchi) are great for helping to restore gut health.
• Flaxseed oil – an excellent concentrated source of Omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed oil is something of a given for this list. Omega-3s are renowned for the good they do the human body, not least because they can aid in reducing gut irritation, as well as help to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms.
• Low-glycaemic fruits – with their ability to release their glucose slowly and steadily (thus, encouraging a leaky gut to work less hard), fruits low on the glycaemic index (GI) scale are great for those with a leaky gut because they’re also full of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Note: because of their low sugar content, berries are the top option among these sorts of fruits.
• Non-starchy vegetables – these kinds of vegetables that lack starch (such as dark, leafy green vegetables) are also high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and so great for helping reduce irritation in your digestive system, ensuring what you eat is easier on your gut.

Leaky gut supplementation

Yet, what if incorporating into your daily diet non-starchy vegetables or any of the other foods mentioned above (or, indeed, any other foods that are good for leaky gut that your own research might discover), isn’t as easy as you might hope? Some foods just aren’t as easy to get hold of (and/ or as affordable) for some as they are for others. And, of course, sometimes there are specific dietary restrictions – for other health reasons – that can put a spanner in the works when it comes to specialising a diet.

Well, you may find help’s at hand through naturally-derived supplementation. And at The Finchley Clinic we’ve definitely got you covered here, thanks to the following pair of leaky gut-focused supplement kits. Below you’ll find outlined what they contain and what their contents could well do for your gut, but please also click on their links and take a look at the kits – and their products – in more detail:

• The Finchley Clinic Leaky Gut Healing Kit – designed by The Finchley Clinic founder Mark Lester, along with Revive Yourself’s Ryan Martin, this kit is both a comprehensive and affordable offering for treating the effects of leaky gut and improving gut health.

It comprises 1 x Biokult (wide spectrum probiotic), 40 Pau d’Arco teabags (anti-candida), 1 x Restore (ideal for healing gut mucosa), 2 x Marshmallow Formula (suitable for leaky gut, gut inflammation and food intolerance) and 1 x Aloe Fuzion (aloe vera capsules).

• Global Healing Center (GHC) Gut Health Kit – comprises the very best of the most relevant Global Healing Center products so you can follow a dedicated 30-day programme to cleanse your gut, balance its microbiota and lay the foundation for abdominal comfort and peace.

It comprises Oxy-Powder (potent intestinal cleanser), Floratrex (probiotic), VeganZyme (features plant-based, digestive and systemic enzymes), Aloe Fuzion (aloe vera capsules) and Turmeric (optional; high in curcuminoids and natural antioxidants).