Leaky Gut: Fake News or No?

I’ll cut to the chase: Leaky gut is real. The CDC states that 74% of American's are living with digestive problems like diarrhea, gas, bloating and pain. Many of these symptoms can develop from ‘Leaky Gut’, which is essentially where you have small gaps in your intestinal wall that let particles into your body that shouldn’t be able to pass.

So the real question isn’t is Leaky gut fake… the question is: where did leaky gut come from?

While there are several causes, one main cause [for females] that isn’t talked about enough is birth control. It’s not discussed often because most doctors will tell you that your birth control has nothing to do with it. But, did you know that oral birth control is actually really hard on the stomach? Over weeks, months, or years, the pill can increase stomach permeability [leaky gut].

Part of the problem is we can’t reallllllly see it on the outside. Leaky gut that is. 

We may experience cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation,  but we can’t “see” the larger gaps in our stomach lining like we do when we see a cut on our skin. So because we can’t “see” the leak and these symptoms from leaky gut start to just become part of life. When we don’t find a direct connection it can be easy to tell ourselves “it’s just in my head” or ignore the symptoms all together.  

On top of that, it can be really hard to find the answers at the conventional doctors office. First, it’s always fun to say “hey, doc, I’m just not pooping right”😳 And it’s even harder when you are half listened to and sent away with just an IBS diagnosis. It’s very rare that a conventional doctor will throw “leaky gut” into the picture, but honestly, it’s probably where your gut symptoms originated from. 

I will note that many women are fine on birth control and there are several ways you can support your body while on it. However, I think it’s so important to educate women on the effects of birth control so they can decide what is best for their body. While there aren’t a handful of studies on birth control and “leaky gut” specifically, it is a known fact that birth control depletes vital nutrients which can then over time cause problems (because of nutrient deficiency). 

If anything make sure you have a high quality prenatal vitamin while you are on the pill, while you are coming off the pill and while you are in child bearing years REGARDLESS if you are planning to have children or not.

And remember you deserve to not feel like sh*t :) So if you have reoccurring gut symptoms, find a practitioner that will help you dig deep and find the root cause.

Xoxo,
Kelsey

Energy Dietitian