August 22, 2018

Gut Health

Top 21 Science-Backed Leaky Gut Supplements (Ranked 1 to 21)

Leaky Gut Syndrome is a blanket term that could cover a whole host of gastrointestinal issues. Years ago, physicians believed that they could trace a large number of medical problems back to an imbalance in your digestive tract. They called this hypochondriasis. However, scientists rejected this idea as medicine and their knowledge evolved. They realised that they could look under microscopes and see things like viruses, parasites, and bacteria. The meaning of hypochondriasis slowly changed to hypochondriac. This term described a person who was extremely afraid of getting sick, and one who often had persistent medical problems that had no seemingly rational explanation. But what if a lot of medical problems arise directly from your gastrointestinal tract? If they do, this could offer valuable insight for many chronic diseases. This is where the term "leaky gut" comes into play. So lets delve into what leaky gut is and the leaky gut supplements you should look to get into your diet regime to turbocharge your gut health.

What is Leaky Gut?

Simply put, Leaky Gut Syndrome is a medical issue where undigested proteins like microbes, gluten, and toxins can pass through the intestinal wall into your bloodstream. Another name for Leaky Gut Syndrome is Intestinal Permeability. Your intestinal lining forms an important barrier between your intestines and all of the bacteria, microbes, and food that passes through your intestines. When something damages this lining, it can form small cracks or holes. These weak areas are where all of the undigested particles can pass straight through and enter your bloodstream. When these particles make their way into your bloodstream, your system will respond and trigger system-wide inflammation from your immune system. Inflammation is your body's way of protecting against harmful bacteria, microbes, toxins and things that aren't supposed to be in your system. This inflammation will continue as long as the things pass through your intestinal wall and into your bloodstream. Over time, complications can start to show up. You might start to notice that you develop more food sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), arthritis, hypothyroidism, skin problems like eczema, depression, ADHD, anxiety, adrenal fatigue, autoimmune disease, and malabsorption. Although most physicians will tell you that repairing your Leaky Gut Syndrome takes time and that it can be a difficult process, there are things you can do to help the healing process along. Changing your diet is a good start. Combine this diet change with the right supplements for Leaky Gut, and you have a powerful tool to help you heal this problem. These are the 21 best Leaky Gut treatment supplements ranked from 1 to 21. If you believe you have Leaky Gut Syndrome, you may want to consider adding them to your diet.

21 Science-Backed Leaky Gut Supplements (Ranked 1-21)

1. Organic Bone Broth

Bone broth with anti-inflammatory herbs can help heal leaky gut. The herbs will help to reduce the inflammation that is present. Bone broth also contains an amino acid called glutamine, as well as collagen proteins. Glutamine helps tissue to repair itself naturally. Since leaky gut's main causes are holes or weak spots in the intestinal lining, glutamine is essential. Also, the anti-inflammatory agents in the herbs can help calm down your intestinal lining. Read more about the science backed benefits of bone broth here (51 in total)

Why Does Bone Broth Heal Leaky Gut?

One study showed that bone broth contains anti-inflammatory agents that can calm down the inflammation that leaky gut brings about. When this inflammation goes down, the glutamine in bone broth can start to work. A study with piglets showed that regular supplements of bone broth helped to improve their immune systems, and it helped to add a protective coating to their intestinal walls.

2. Collagen Peptides

Collagen is the substance that acts like a "glue" for your body. It makes up around 30% of the protein content in your body. It helps to ensure that your body regenerates and maintains tissues, skin, ligaments, tendon, cartridge, and bone. When you break collagen's molecular bonds apart and down, you get collagen peptides. They're highly digestible, soluble in cold water and they're ready to be absorbed by our bodies quickly and efficiently. If you want to learn absolutely everything you need to know about collagen peptides, check out this definitive guide (With Free Infographics)

Why Do Collagen Peptides Heal Leaky Gut?

Your intestinal lining is made out of tissues. Collagen peptides act as a magnet for these tissues. They are attracted to the damaged cells, and it helps to stimulate more collagen production at the source. This rebuilds and strengthens the damaged tissue. Studies prove that collagen peptides can boost your body's gastric juice levels and help to repair the mucosal lining of the intestines.

3. Probiotics

Probiotics are strains of good bacteria that are naturally occurring in your digestive tract. They help to keep your digestive tract balanced and healthy. It also helps to encourage the healthy day-to-day function of your digestive tract. This can reduce buildup, and they also help to break down any food that passes through the intestines. Probiotics can also increase the absorbency rate of your intestines, so you get more nutrients. If you want to know what is the best probiotic for you, here is an ultimate guide (with Free Infographics)

Why Do Probiotics Heal Leaky Gut?

Scientists found in a study that probiotics can help to crowd out bad bacteria. This reduces the number of microbes that make it past your intestinal lining. They also stimulate the production of enzymes that are key to destroying bad bacteria. This can help heal leaky gut by balancing the pH levels in your GI tract, and it'll boost your body's immune health to take the inflammation levels down.

4. Digestive Enzymes

Your pancreas can secrete up to eight cups of pancreatic enzymes each day, and these enzymes are instrumental in helping your body break down and process carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Lipase breaks fat molecules down so your body can absorb them. Protease breaks down proteins and helps regulate bacteria levels. Finally, Amylase works to break down starch or carbohydrates so your body can absorb them more quickly. You can find a comprehensive guide to digestive enzymes here (with Free Infographics)

Why Do Digestive Enzymes Heal Leaky Gut?

Your digestive tract experiences a lot of inflammation with Leaky Gut Syndrome. Researchers performed a study that showed having adequate amounts of pancreatic enzymes in your body can help heal inflammation. It does this by taking a lot of strain off of your intestines by breaking down the nutrients so your body can absorb them better.

5. Zinc Carnosine

Zinc Carnosine is a chelate compound that is made of zinc and carnosine that scientists bind together in a one-to-one ratio. It has a long history of use in Japanese medicine to help heal digestive tract problems. It plays a key role with RNA and DNA synthesis, and this is critical in tissue repair. It also has several antibacterial effects that are useful when it comes to promoting cell health and healing.

Why Does Zinc Carnosine Heal Leaky Gut?

Researchers performed several trials and studies to determine how effective this agent is at healing leaky gut. They found that Zinc Carnosine coats the walls of your intestines and prevents it from getting further damage due to lesions or perforations. It also is thought to have antioxidant properties that can encourage good cell growth and tissue repair.

6. L-Glutamine

L-Glutamine is a naturally-occurring protein that you find in amino acids. In fact, it's so important that it's called a conditionally essential amino acid, and it makes up between 30% and 35% of the amino acid nitrogen in your bloodstream. This protein is a popular supplement choice for people who have issues with their digestive tract because it promotes healing. L-Glutamine comes in two forms, and the Alanyl-L-Glutamine form is easier to digest.

Why Does L-Glutamine Heal Leaky Gut?

Multiple clinical studies prove that L-Glutamine is a cell fuel source. The study had 20 participants supplement L-Glutamine into their diets. They found that this protein can reduce intestinal permeability. It can also help to preserve the intestinal villi's number and height, and this helps to ensure that everything moves smoothly through your intestines. Finally, it can help prevent further damage to the intestines.

7. Curcumin

You may not have heard of Curcumin before, but you've most likely heard of Tumeric. Tumeric is a popular spice in Asian dishes, and Curcumin is a natural substance found in Tumeric. It has several medicinal properties. Curcumin has been a popular herbal remedy for decades with certain cultures, and it's starting to catch on as more and more people find out the various benefits that come with taking this supplement. If you want to increase the benefits of curcumin by 2000% then having it with piperine (found in black pepper) will do so.

Why Does Curcumin Heal Leaky Gut?

One of the most important functions that Curcumin does is that it has the ability to reduce inflammation rapidly. Researches took 53 patients and put them through a 12-week study where they ingested 325mg of Curcumin each day. They started to show reduced inflammation in two weeks. The researchers found that Curcumin could potentially be as effective as some pharmaceuticals without the side effects.

8. Berberine

Berberine is classed as a quaternary ammonium salt. You find Berberine naturally in plants, and it is a powerful bio-active substance that has several notable medicinal properties. It travels through your bloodstream and goes directly into your cells. Once Berberine gets into your cells, it starts healing and strengthening them. It can also mimic pharmaceutical drugs and bind different molecules together to reorganise their functions and improve them.

How Does Berberine Heal Leaky Gut?

Berberine can slow your body's natural absorption process, and it can also help regulate it to prevent problems like diarrhoea. Scientists put five randomised groups of mice on different supplements to test the supplement's effectiveness. One group of mice got an injection of Berberine. The scientists found that this group had fewer problems with disruption of tight junctions and that the mice also had a thicker mucus barrier.

9. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)

Originally a treatment for ulcers, Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice has many medicinal properties that can help you internally. It is marketed as an antacid supplement in Canada, Europe, and South Africa. You can use this supplement a few times each day to help treat Leaky Gut Syndrome. It is marketed as having very few side effects, and the side effects that do present are rare. It's available as an OTC medication.

Why Does Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Heal Leaky Gut?

One trial took 17 participants with various digestive issues and had them take DGL a few times a day for a period of six days. The patients that got DGL reported less pain and irritation in their symptoms. DGL is important for helping your body maintain the mucosal lining in your stomach and intestines, as well as soothing irritation and inflammation.

10. Green Banana Flour

Places like Jamaica and Africa have a long history of using green banana flour because it's cheaper than traditional wheat flour. They peel, dry, chop and grind up green bananas to make the flour. It is gluten-free and very popular for people with various digestive disorders, like Celiac disease and Leaky Gut, because it's easier to digest. It also won't set off any further inflammation because it's easier to break down.

Why Does Green Banana Flour Heal Leaky Gut?

Green banana flour can help improve and heal Leaky Gut because it contains high levels of butyrate. This short-chain fatty acid has several studies that show that it can help reduce oxidative stress, improve nutrient absorption, promote immune health and cell healing, fight bad bacteria and help to calm inflammation and inflammatory agents. leaky gut supplements

11. Marshmallow Root

Chemists take the Marshmallow plant and make medicines and supplements out of the leaves and roots. This plant has centuries of use by various groups of people for its healing properties. This plant is native to Western Asia, Northern America, and Europe. You can find Marshmallow Root in teas, tinctures, skin products, cough syrups and capsule form. People use it to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases and symptoms.

Why Does Marshmallow Root Heal Leaky Gut?

Marshmallow Root contains a high quantity of mucilage, and this mucilage is packed full of vitamins, nutrients, and components that promote healing. One study showed that Marshmallow Root is a natural antihistamine with powerful antioxidant properties. The mucilage coats the weak areas in your intestines and forms a barrier to prevent further damage. The antioxidants also promote organ health.

12. Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant pigment otherwise known as a flavonoid. You can find it in green leafy vegetables, grains, fruits, red wines and more. One of the most common sources with the highest amounts of Quercetin is buckwheat tea. It has several medicinal properties that help to make it a popular dietary staple and supplement. It also has a long history of medicinal uses with very few side effects or issues.

Why Does Quercetin Heal Leaky Gut?

Quercetin performs two powerful functions in regards to Leaky Gut Syndrome. The first thing it does is stabilise mast cells and help to prevent a histamine response that is common with this condition. The second thing Quercetin does is help seal any tight junctions that you may have in your intestines. With these sealed, fewer contaminants can pass through your intestinal wall and get into your bloodstream.

13. Slippery Elm

The Slippery Elm or Soft Elm tree is native to the eastern North American region. Additionally, it has a long history of medicinal uses dating back to Medieval times. The bark has several powerful properties that herbalists prize. It's a very hardy tree species that does very well in a variety of environments. It's also relatively easy to cultivate and maintain, and this can contribute to its popularity.

Why Does Slippery Elm Heal Leaky Gut?

The name "Slippery Elm" is appropriate because when you take a supplement with this component, it encourages your gastrointestinal tract to create mucous. This mucous lines the walls of your intestines and helps to push food through. Additionally, a study also suggested that its antioxidant properties can promote healing.

14. Hydrochloric Acid (HCL)

When most people think of acid, they immediately think of a liquid that can eat through a variety of substances. However, your stomach produces Hydrochloric Acid naturally, and it's a key piece in the digestion process. When you eat food, it goes into your stomach. Once it gets to your stomach, the hydrochloric acid will start breaking it down and making it easier for your intestines to extract the nutrients from your food.

Why Does Hydrochloric Acid Heal Leaky Gut?

Having a good amount of HCL in your stomach can help it effectively break down food before it gets to your intestines. Research shows that it also starts the digestion process, helps kill bad bacteria and kick-starts enzymes found in the food to absorb into your body. This can take a lot of stress off of your digestive system, and it can give your intestines time to heal and repair any tissue damage.

15. Cat's Claw

Cat's Claw is a woody vine that you can find growing in the Amazon, as well as tropical locations in the South and Central America. People used this woody vine for hundreds of years for various medicinal uses. Chemists use the roots and bark of this vine to create capsules, tea, tablets and liquid extracts. It's starting to catch on as a popular and natural dietary supplement with big health benefits.

How Does Cat's Claw Heal Leaky Gut?

Researchers have performed several controlled trials to see how effective Cat's Claw is when treating digestive disorders like Leaky Gut Syndrome and Crohn's Disease. The studies with rats showed that Cat's Claw was effective in protecting against inflammation and cell death. Other studies show that it has powerful antioxidant properties.

16. Krill Oil

A healthy extract taken from Antarctic Krill, this oil comes packed with healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. These fats perform a variety of functions in the body, including regulating swelling, lowering cholesterol levels and making blood platelets less sticky and prone to forming clots. You can take krill oil in a capsule once a day to experience these benefits. There hasn't been an extensive study on krill oil, but the FDA considers it generally safe to ingest.

How Does Krill Oil Heal Leaky Gut?

The Omega-3 fatty acid content that you find in krill oil can help to lubricate the inner walls of your intestines. Studies show that krill oil's ingredients can also help to balance and improve the bacterial levels in your GI tract. It can help increase the good bacteria levels while decreasing the bad bacterial levels.

17. Colostrum

Your colostrum is the first milk any mammal produces straight after they give birth. Generally, colostrum has much high protein and antibody content than typical breast milk. These increased levels give newborns a nutrient boost. Colostrum also has a higher fat content than traditional milk, and there are a variety of health benefits associated with it. This makes it a popular supplement to help combat Leaky Gut Syndrome.

How Does Colostrum Heal Leaky Gut?

One double-blind controlled trial tested Colostrum's ability to help repair intestinal permeability. In the study, 16 athletes split into two groups with one being a control group with a placebo, and the other getting 500mg of Colostrum supplements per day. They found that the group who got the Colostrum has significantly lower intestinal permeability than the group that got the placebo.

18. Moringa

Moringa is a tree that is more widely known as the Drumstick tree because it has slender and long triangular-shaped seed pods. It thrives in Southwestern India in very dry and hot climates, as well as in subtropical and tropical climates. The seed pods, leaves, roots, flowers and oil from the mature seeds are edible. They're a rich source of iron, and people commonly use them to combat malnutrition.

How Does Moringa Heal Leaky Gut?

Moringa has a very high antioxidant content. These antioxidants can perform several functions including helping with nutrient absorption and helping to prevent damage from free radicals throughout your body. Additionally, antioxidants can promote healing. One study showed that a woman who consumed 7g of Moringa leaf each morning for 90 days had significant increases in her antioxidant levels in her blood.

19. Caprylic Acid

Fatty acids are naturally found in the milk of various mammals, and Caprylic Acid is no different. One popular use for this fatty acid is a pesticide for commercial operations because it has strong antimicrobial properties associated with it. It's also a popular dietary supplement that can help you lose weight and burn excess calories, and it's popular with athletes because it may help to increase their endurance. However, these benefits need more research.

How Does Caprylic Acid Heal Leaky Gut?

Caprylic Acid's antibacterial and antimicrobial properties are powerful tools to help with Leaky Gut Syndrome. It can make its way to your digestive tract and go to work balancing your bacteria levels. It can help to kill off any bad microbes present. Research showed that this acid was effective in killing different strains of bacteria in a clinical setting.

20. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an acidic and fermented juice that comes from crushed apples. It contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals. You see chemists use it a lot as a base for several medicines, and it's also a flavouring agent. A lot of people like the taste of apple cider vinegar on its own. However, it's also very easy to incorporate into your cooking or beverages without altering the desired taste too much. You can also take supplements, and you can take it on an empty stomach without a problem.

How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Heal Leaky Gut?

Several studies showcase the uses of Apple Cider Vinegar for digestive health. The vinegar's acetic acid content can help to stimulate the production of stomach acid, and help regulate how fast or slow your stomach empties. It may also help you absorb nutrients better and smooth out the digestion process. In turn, this can take any additional stress and strain off of your GI tract and promote healing.

21. Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that is naturally found in your body, as well as in several different foods. Magnesium is also a popular dietary supplement. It is a required element of energy production, and it is also present in over 300 enzyme systems in your body. This mineral plays a vital role in almost all of the systems in your body. It helps keep your bones strong, regulates your digestive system, protects your brain from oxidative stress and stimulates energy production.

How Does Magnesium Heal Leaky Gut?

Trials show that Magnesium can help with Leaky Gut by helping your muscles relax in your digestive tract. This can help move food and waste along more quickly, so it doesn't sit in your intestines and build up. Other studies show that Magnesium could reduce the amount of stomach acid present and help to safely balance your acid levels.

Final Thoughts On The Science-Backed Leaky Gut Supplements

These 21 best supplements for Leaky Gut give you a wide variety to test out and choose from if you're considering trying something new to help with your problem. All of the supplements on this list have very few reported side effects, and they have the studies and research to prove their effectiveness. It's always a good idea to talk to your physician before you start any new regimen. However, these natural Leaky Gut supplements could help you feel better.