Leaky Gut Tests Are Wasting Your Time. Do this Instead.
Leaky Gut Isn’t the Problem — Here’s What Is
You’ve been told your gut problems are all about leaky gut.
So, you Google it.
“What is leaky gut? Leaky gut symptoms? Leaky gut treatment?”
You dive into rabbit holes about supplements, diets, and probiotics promising to heal leaky gut in 2 weeks.
But here’s the kicker.
Leaky gut isn’t the root cause.
It’s a symptom. A sign. A consequence.
And if you stop at “leaky gut,” you’ll miss the REAL problem keeping you sick.
Let’s talk about what actually causes leaky gut — and how to fix it for good.
What Is Leaky Gut? (Yes, It’s Real)
First things first — let’s bust a myth.
Leaky gut is real.
Doctors might roll their eyes. But science doesn’t lie.
The clinical name? Increased intestinal permeability.
Your small intestine has a lining only one cell thick.
Those cells are glued together by “tight junctions” — like Velcro. They’re supposed to let in nutrients and keep out everything else.
But when those tight junctions break down?
Food, toxins, and pathogens sneak into your bloodstream.
Your immune system freaks out.
Inflammation goes up.
And you feel like crap.
Leaky Gut Syndrome Symptoms (That Most People Miss)
Here’s where it gets tricky.
Leaky gut doesn’t always show up in your gut.
Yes, you might have:
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Gas
- Reflux
- Diarrhea
But many of my clients don’t.
Instead, they show up with:
- Joint pain
- Skin rashes or acne
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Hormonal imbalance
- Autoimmune flares
If you’re struggling with unexplained chronic symptoms, you’re probably dealing with leaky gut disease — whether your gut feels “off” or not.
And if you’re still asking, “Leaky gut — is it real?”
Let me be clear: It is. And it could be behind everything you’re feeling.
Why Testing for Leaky Gut Is Useless
Now here’s where I lose some people.
I don’t test for leaky gut.
And if your practitioner does? You might be wasting your money.
Here’s why.
Tests like lactulose-mannitol or zonulin tell you that your gut is leaky.
That’s it.
Not why.
They won’t tell you what to do next.
They won’t reveal the actual causes of bloating, constipation, fatigue, or food sensitivities.
They’re non-specific.
You already know something’s wrong.
You don’t need a test to confirm it.
You need to find what’s damaging your gut lining in the first place.
So What Is Damaging Your Gut?
Now we’re getting to the good stuff.
If you want real leaky gut treatment, stop looking for the perfect leaky gut diet or leaky gut supplements.
Start asking, “What’s attacking my gut lining?”
Common culprits include:
- Pathogens: parasites, bacteria like H. pylori, yeast overgrowth
- Food sensitivities (especially gluten or dairy)
- Environmental toxins like mold or heavy metals
- Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation
- Glyphosate and pesticides in non-organic foods
- Antibiotic overuse or NSAIDs like ibuprofen
- Lectins and inflammatory food proteins
Each of these can damage your gut wall faster than your body can repair it.
And here’s the thing:
Your body’s trying to heal.
The gut lining regenerates every 3–5 days — if you remove what’s constantly harming it.
Why Leaky Gut Probiotics Aren’t Enough
Let’s talk about all those supplements you’ve seen on Instagram.
- L-glutamine
- Probiotics
- Digestive enzymes
- Leaky gut revive powder blends
- Bone broth
- Aloe vera
They’re not bad.
But they’re not enough.
If you’re still eating foods you’re sensitive to…
Still living in mold…
Still harboring an infection or parasite…
No supplement will “fix” leaky gut.
You can’t supplement your way out of a gut still under attack.
Real healing means removing the root cause.
Why Natural Constipation Remedies Don’t Work (Until You Do This)
Let’s say you’re bloated and constipated.
You’ve tried:
- Drinking more water
- Eating fiber
- Taking magnesium
- Using probiotics
- Doing castor oil packs
Some are helpful. But none of them are true natural constipation relief.
Because again — you’re not fixing the root cause.
Constipation is a SYMPTOM.
Of gut inflammation.
Of nervous system overload.
Of toxin buildup or a sluggish liver.
Natural constipation remedies only work if you create a body that actually wants to poop.
That starts with clearing infections, balancing your microbiome, and supporting detox.
The Hidden Causes of Bloating and Constipation
If your belly is always tight, puffy, or painful…
You’re not crazy.
And no, you don’t just “need more fiber.” 🙄
Common causes of bloating and constipation include:
- Bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Candida or yeast overgrowth
- Parasites
- Food sensitivities
- Mold toxicity
- Poor stomach acid or bile flow
- Nervous system dysregulation
Notice something?
They all lead back to gut inflammation. And — you guessed it — leaky gut.
So if you want real bloat relief, stop taking Gas-X or sipping peppermint tea.
Start with testing.
My Personal Leaky Gut Protocol (That Actually Works)
Back in 2015, I had leaky gut, though I didn’t know it.
I had:
- Constipation
- Daily bloating
- Joint pain
- Brain fog
- Skin issues
- Crushing fatigue
I tried probiotics, elimination diets, fermented foods, leaky gut powders…
Nothing worked.
What changed?
I stopped treating leaky gut like the problem.
And started treating it like the symptom.
That’s when I:
- Ran root-cause functional lab tests
- Identified H. pylori and multiple gut pathogens
- Discovered mold exposure in my home
- Cleared toxins and rebuilt gut function — layer by layer
I used targeted functional medicine, not guesswork.
That’s how I help clients now.
The Leaky Gut Protocol You Actually Need
Forget the one-size-fits-all “leaky gut protocol.”
There’s no single food list, supplement, or smoothie that works for everyone.
You need a personalized path.
But here’s what I recommend as a foundation:
- Test your gut: Look for pathogens, inflammation, enzyme function, and more
- Support digestion: With enzymes and stomach acid if needed
- Remove triggers: Pathogens, mold, food sensitivities
- Support detox pathways: Especially liver, lymph, and bile
- Calm your nervous system: Because your gut can’t heal in fight-or-flight
- Rebuild the gut lining: With nutrients like glutamine, zinc carnosine, collagen, and butyrate
Want to know what tests I recommend?
👉 Go to betterbellytherapies.com/training
I break down the exact Five Toxin Trap framework I use with clients.
Can You Heal Leaky Gut in 2 Weeks?
Let me be blunt.
No.
You can feel better in 2 weeks.
You can start pooping daily.
You can experience real bloat relief.
You can regain your energy and mental clarity.
But complete leaky gut repair takes time.
Why?
Because healing means rebuilding your gut, nervous system, immune system, AND detox organs.
And those systems didn’t break overnight.
Plan on 3–12 months for real, lasting results.
But the upside?
It’s worth it.
Because you’re not just fixing your gut.
You’re reclaiming your life.
You Don’t Need a Perfect Diet — You Need the Right Strategy
I see it all the time:
“I eat so clean!”
“I’m already gluten-free!”
“I’ve done Whole30, Paleo, Vegan, AIP…”
But still sick.
Here’s the truth:
Clean eating doesn’t fix a toxic body.
It helps. But it’s not enough if:
- You’re still living in mold
- You’re still full of pathogens
- You’re missing key minerals
- Your nervous system is fried
Stop tweaking your diet like it’s the holy grail.
Start looking under the hood.
Ready to Fix Your Gut? Here's What to Do Next
You don’t need another probiotic.
You don’t need to test your zonulin levels.
You don’t need to live on bone broth.
You need a clear, root-cause strategy.
✅ Start by learning the Five Toxin Trap I teach in my free gut training
✅ Discover the hidden reasons behind your constipation, bloating, fatigue, and more
✅ Learn how to heal leaky gut naturally — and stop guessing
👉 Watch the free training at betterbellytherapies.com/training
You don’t have to live in fear of food.
You don’t have to settle for “normal labs” with zero answers.
And you definitely don’t have to guess your way to healing.
Let’s get to the root.
Let’s get your body working again.
Because once you fix your gut?
Everything changes.
Would you like a version of this blog formatted for email or turned into an SEO-optimized landing page next?
EPISODES MENTIONED:
- 47// The Gut-Sinus Connection
- 45// The Gut-Skin Connection: Is your gut flaring up your skin?
- 254// The Gut-Brain Axis: Why Healing Your Nervous System Isn’t Working
- 26// Is your period out of whack?! 3 Pathways that Link Gut Health to Hormonal Health – with Sophie Shepherd FDN-P
- 267// The Best Food Sensitivity Test for You, with Vibrant Wellness
HEAL YOUR GUT TODAY!
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