Leaky Gut Syndrome: Ayurvedic Treatment, Causes & Natural Remedies

Damage to the intestinal mucous membrane caused by improper digestion, allowing toxins and undigested substances to be absorbed into circulation.

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Leaky Gut and Intestinal Toxemia

Intestinal toxemia is involved in the development of allergy. Pollution in the large intestine permits irritating chemicals produced by improper digestion to inflame the membrane lining of the large intestine and reduce intestinal mobility.

For example, improper digestion of the amino acid tyrosine produces the corrosive chemical phenol. One drop of pure phenol can burn a hole in your external skin—imagine its effect, even in diluted form, on the delicate internal mucus membrane that lines the digestive tract. When this membrane is sufficiently damaged, your gut begins to leak, and your body begins to absorb substances which otherwise would be excreted.

Toxins in food, metabolically produced toxins, and improperly digested fats, starches, and proteins all act as ama. When absorbed into the system and carried via circulation to other parts of the body, these internal pollutants set up imbalances wherever they go.

Source: Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution, Chapter Seven: Disease

Causes and Associated Conditions

Food allergies, modern medicines including certain antibiotics and heavy doses of aspirin and ibuprofen, excessive drinking, parasitical infections, and compromised immune systems have all been implicated as causative factors for leaky gut.

Modern researchers have found evidence of leaky gut in diabetics, alcoholics, smokers, burn patients, iron-deficient children, schizophrenics, and long-distance runners. Many other classes of people are likely to suffer from leaky gut to less perceptible extents, accumulating ama more slowly and insidiously.

A few of the conditions that leaky gut can promote include: insomnia, obesity, halitosis, asthma, arthritis, eczema, rashes, diarrhea, migraine, and depression. Intestinal toxemia adversely affects brain and consciousness as well as body.

Source: Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution, Chapter Seven: Disease

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.