Healing Leaky Gut

What Is Leaky Gut and What Can I Do to Heal It?

By: Tracy L. Hackett, AP DAOM

What Leaky Gut Is and Steps Toward Healing It

Healing leaky gut is the functional process of reducing the inflammation and resolving the vectors of the causes of intestinal over-permeability. Our bodies are designed to recognize nutrients and absorb “bio-information” through the intestinal lining. After that, the body eliminates waste that is not useful. However, problems begin when the gut lining becomes too permeable. When this happens, undigested food particles, microbes, waste, and toxins can enter the bloodstream.

These particles are not fully digested or filtered out properly and pass into the body directly, so the immune system reacts to them as if they are all intruders. As a result, repeated exposure can lead to food allergies and other chronic symptoms. Over time, these symptoms may become more severe and complex if your immunes system mistakes these unrefined molecules as your body’s own tissues. When this disruption becomes severe or long-lasting, it may lead to conditions such as colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis. This chronic over-permeability is how autoimmune disease often begins. It obviously warrants immediate attention to resolve it.

Leaky gut requires a comprehensive, root-cause approach with consistent and persistent work to overcome it. The method best suited for this integrates time-tested Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles with modern functional medicine insights. Dr. Hackett begins with a thorough intake of the natural history and progression of your health, what you’ve already tried, your lab work and current dietary restrictions.

The combination of TCM differential diagnosis to identify underlying patterns such as: Spleen Qi deficiency (often manifesting as fatigue, bloating, loose stools, and poor nutrient absorption, leading to weakened digestive barrier function), in combination with one or all: Damp-Heat accumulation in the intestines (contributing to inflammation, irritability of the lining, and systemic symptoms, parasitic microbes), Liver Qi stagnation invading the Spleen (exacerbated by stress and emotional factors), or Kidney Qi deficiency in more chronic, constitutional cases affecting deeper resilience and repair.

We first discuss triggers—such as inflammatory foods (your usual suspects) to understand histamine cycles, the nature of your chronic stress types, infection history, how medications like NSAIDs and antibiotics have affected you, and environmental toxins exposures. These are the common factors that lead to compromised tight junctions of the gut lining.

A key updated consideration is addressing histamine dysregulation, which often perpetuates luminal inflammation and barrier dysfunction through mast cell activation and impaired diamine oxidase (DAO) activity. Our histamine regulation protocol typically involves a temporary low-histamine diet (focusing on fresh foods while avoiding aged, fermented, or leftover items), targeted supports that help reduce inflammation and repair the lining, quercetin, vitamin C, and gut-healing nutrients that support stabilization of mast cell production, reduce histamine load, and promote luminal repair—allowing the intestinal mucosa to heal while restoring proper histamine metabolism.

TCM herbs are chosen according to pattern differentiation, such as those that tonify Qi, drain Damp-Heat, and stabilize the exterior and are combined with acupuncture further strengthen the Spleen, harmonize the Middle Jiao, and promote microbiome balance and mucosal integrity. Herbs may not be the first step. Depending upon the severity of your case, single ingredient orthomolecular supplements and homeopathic remedies may be used first.

Other considerations are the impacts to your gut-brain connection (including proteins like Reelin influenced by stress), the benefits of short-chain fatty acids from fiber and fermented foods (introduced gradually post-stabilization), and individualized testing to track progress.

True healing is a dynamic process of restoration and prevention of recurrence, plateauing or backsliding. Dr. Hackett’s focus is on empowering your body’s innate resilience for lasting vitality, reduced systemic inflammation, and improved overall well-being. Schedule your first treatment for a personalized TCM-pattern-based plan with histamine-aware strategies tailored to your unique constitution and health goals.

In some cases, pathogenic microbes, mold, fungal overgrowth, or parasite infestations may also contribute to leaky gut. Therefore, these conditions should be properly evaluated and treated from the perspective of helping the body regenerate its natural integrity with holistic healthcare. Dr. Hackett can help navigate a better protocol with your goals as the end point – healing and moving on.

Symptoms to give you an indication of reactions to food sensitivities. They often appear soon after eating or exposure to irritants. They usually develop slowly and worsen over time with repeated exposure. Most common symptoms:

• sneezing and runny nose
• stomach pain after certain foods
• gastritis, reflux, diarrhea, cramping, gas, abdominal pain
• sudden itchy skin patches or hives
• sudden onset acne
• recurrent mouth sores
• genital or anal itching and irritation
• headaches or migraines
• strong food cravings
• fatigue, brain fog, and low energy
• unusual body or waste odors

Each of these symptoms give clues as to which organs or systems are impacted and where you may need support. Get in touch with Dr. Hackett and start taking your life back.