Your gut lining isn’t just part of your digestive system—it’s a gatekeeper that influences your whole-body health. When this protective barrier becomes damaged, tiny gaps can form. The result? Food particles, toxins, and microbes seep into your bloodstream. This condition, known as leaky gut, can trigger widespread inflammation and contribute to a variety of distressing symptoms, from bloating and brain fog to autoimmunity.
What Disrupts the Gut Barrier?
A modern lifestyle can take a big toll on your gut lining. Poor dietary choices, chronic stress, medications (especially antibiotics), and exposure to environmental toxins all play a role. As the lining breaks down, your immune system goes into overdrive, which can disrupt hormone balance, energy levels, and your ability to fight off illness.
“Many people don’t realize their chronic fatigue or skin flare-ups could be rooted in poor gut health,” explains Nikki Burnett, Denver Functional Nutritionist. “When we restore the integrity of the gut lining, we often see surprising improvements across the board.”
Even symptoms you wouldn’t typically connect to digestion—like mood swings or skin issues—can trace back to gut dysfunction.
Nutrients and Habits To Support Your Gut
Restoring your gut health starts with simple but powerful steps:
- Eat whole, anti-inflammatory foods like bone broth, leafy greens, and fermented veggies
- Incorporate gut-targeted nutrients such as L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, and high-quality probiotics
- Vary your fiber sources to support a thriving microbiome
- Reduce inflammation with curcumin, omega-3s, and stress-relieving practices like walking or meditation
Taking supplements can help, but they’re most effective when combined with dietary and lifestyle changes that create lasting improvements. This Gut Immunity Protocol features some of my top supplement recommendations for gut health.
Test, Don’t Guess
Pinpointing what’s really happening in your gut can help accelerate repair. Functional testing, such as the Gut Zoomer, checks for bacteria, parasites, inflammation, and more.
Let’s Get to the Root of It
If you’re ready to understand your symptoms and support your gut for better health, book your complimentary 15-minute Health is Wealth Consultation with Nikki today!