The Leaky Gut Guide: Causes, Clues & What to Do Next

Have you ever felt bloated, fatigued, moody or just “off” but couldn’t quite figure out why?

It’s easy to overlook the gut when symptoms don’t seem digestive, but more often than not, your gut is quietly at the centre of it all. From energy and immunity to mood and skin health, the gut is foundational to how your body functions. When the gut becomes compromised, particularly through a condition called leaky gut, the effects can ripple far beyond your stomach.

What Is Leaky Gut?

Leaky gut, also known as intestinal permeability, occurs when the tight junctions in the gut wall become weakened or damaged. These tight junctions are designed to act as gatekeepers, deciding what gets absorbed into the bloodstream. When they fail, undigested food particles, toxins, and pathogens can enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation and immune responses throughout the body.

Studies have shown that the majority of autoimmune issues have some level of gut permeability associated with them. However, this issue is not limited to autoimmune concerns. Many people experiencing food sensitivities, migraines, joint pain, bloating, fatigue, skin conditions, low mood and brain fog may unknowingly be dealing with leaky gut.

What Causes Leaky Gut?

Leaky gut can be triggered by a wide variety of factors. These include:

• Poor diet: Processed foods, refined sugars, gluten, alcohol, and food additives can inflame the gut lining.
  
  

• Stress: Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, damaging the gut lining and altering the microbiome.
  
  

• Lack of sleep: Sleep deprivation negatively impacts digestion and gut repair processes.
  
  

• Low-fibre diet: Fibre fuels the production of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid essential for gut lining integrity.
  
  

• Medications: NSAIDs, antibiotics, and certain prescription drugs can irritate the intestinal lining and disrupt microbial balance.
  
  

• Environmental toxins: Exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, plastics, and pollutants can create oxidative stress in the gut.
  
  

• C-section births and antibiotic overuse in infancy: These reduce the initial colonisation of beneficial bacteria, affecting long-term gut health.

Once good bacteria are wiped out or overwhelmed, bad bacteria and fungi (such as candida) begin to dominate. This creates further inflammation, disturbs digestion, and sets the stage for more serious conditions.

Symptoms of Leaky Gut

The symptoms of leaky gut can be varied and seemingly unrelated, which often makes it difficult to diagnose. Common signs include:

• Persistent bloating, gas or digestive discomfort
  
  

• Fatigue and low energy
  
  

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
  
  

• Mood swings, anxiety, or low mood
  
  

• Food sensitivities or intolerances
  
  

• Skin issues such as acne or eczema
  
  

• Joint pain and inflammation
  
  

• Constipation or diarrhoea
  
  

• Sleep disturbances
  
  

• Sugar and carbohydrate cravings
  
  

These symptoms occur because the gut plays a role far beyond digestion. For example, around 90% of serotonin, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, is produced in the gut. When the gut is inflamed or imbalanced, it affects everything from your mental health to your immune function.

Functional Testing: Your Gut Health Blueprint

One of the most empowering things you can do for your health is to stop guessing and start testing. That’s why we developed our Gut Health Starter Bundle, a comprehensive tool to uncover the exact imbalances in your gut.

Whether you’re dealing with persistent bloating, food sensitivities, brain fog, or low mood, this bundle provides detailed insights into your:

• Microbiome health (good vs. bad bacteria)
  
  

• Digestive efficiency
  
  

• Inflammation markers
  
  

• Yeast or fungal overgrowth (e.g., candida)
  
  

Armed with these results, we can create a tailored, holistic plan that targets your unique imbalances and supports true, lasting healing.

The Holistic Approach to Healing the Gut

Healing a leaky gut isn’t about a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all protocol. It involves a thoughtful, consistent approach, something we specialise in at Synergised. Our recommendations typically follow these foundational steps:

1. Remove: Eliminate inflammatory foods, toxins, and harmful pathogens from the gut.

2. Replace: Support digestion with nourishing, nutrient-rich foods and, where needed, digestive enzymes or targeted supplements.

3. Repair: Use key nutrients like L-glutamine, zinc, omega-3s, and antioxidants to heal the gut lining.

4. Rebalance: Restore microbial balance through probiotics, fermented foods, and lifestyle changes that promote a healthy gut-brain axis.

Alongside these steps, we always recommend looking at the bigger picture. Sleep, hygiene, stress management, emotional wellbeing and movement all play a part in gut health. Our Gut Health Bundle includes a one to one consultation, giving you expert, personalised support every step of the way.

Final Thoughts

Your gut is more than a digestive organ, it’s your body's foundation. A leaky gut doesn’t just lead to an upset stomach; it can affect everything from your mood to your immunity.

If you’ve been living with unexplained symptoms, low energy, food sensitivities or chronic inflammation, your gut could be the key to finally getting answers.

Our Gut Health Starter Bundle takes the guesswork out of healing. Combined with expert guidance and a personalised plan, it offers the most powerful place to begin your wellness journey.

Explore the Gut Health Starter Bundle today or book your free lab selection call ll with a Synergised Integrative Health Practitioner to discuss the right test for you.