Leaky Gut

Leaky Gut Syndrome

Healing the Gut Wall, Restoring Whole-Body Health – Dr. Brenda Marshall, MD

Your gut isn’t just for digestion—it’s central to your immunity, mood, hormones, skin, and energy. When the lining of your gut becomes compromised, it can allow harmful substances to “leak” into your bloodstream, triggering inflammation and chronic symptoms.

Dr. Brenda Marshall helps patients identify and repair leaky gut using targeted testing, nutritional therapy, and gut-healing protocols that restore resilience from the inside out.

What Is Leaky Gut?

Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, occurs when the tight junctions in your intestinal wall become loose or damaged. This allows undigested food particles, toxins, and microbes to enter the bloodstream—sparking immune responses and systemic inflammation.

Signs You May Have Leaky Gut

• Bloating, gas, or food sensitivities
• Fatigue or brain fog
• Joint pain or muscle aches
• Chronic skin issues (acne, eczema, rashes)
• Seasonal allergies or sinus congestion
• Headaches or migraines
• Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
• Hormonal imbalance or autoimmunity

Leaky gut often plays a hidden role in conditions like fatigue, depression, thyroid dysfunction, ADHD, food sensitivities, and hormonal imbalance.

What Causes Leaky Gut?

Dr. Marshall helps patients explore root contributors, including:

• Processed foods and refined sugar
• Chronic stress or overtraining
• NSAID use (ibuprofen, aspirin)
• Antibiotics or acid-blocking medications
• Gut infections (yeast, parasites, H. pylori)
• Gluten or casein sensitivity
• Environmental toxins or mold exposure

Dr. Marshall’s Gut Healing Plan

1. Testing for Clarity

• Stool analysis for pathogens, inflammation, enzymes, and diversity
• Food sensitivity panels (IgG, IgA)
• Zonulin, LPS, and intestinal permeability markers
• Micronutrient testing to evaluate absorption

2. Remove, Replace, Repair, Rebalance

• Remove triggers (inflammatory foods, infections)
• Replace digestive support (enzymes, stomach acid, bile)
• Repair lining with nutrients (L-glutamine, zinc, collagen, aloe)
• Rebalance the microbiome with probiotics and prebiotic foods

3. Full-Body Integration

• Hormone and immune support as the gut heals
• Blood sugar and stress management for long-term repair
• Guidance on reintroducing foods safely and sustainably

“The gut is your frontline of defense. When it heals, so does your mood, your energy, your skin—even your hormones.” – Dr. Brenda Marshall

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do I know if I have leaky gut?
A: Symptoms like bloating, fatigue, brain fog, and food sensitivities often point to intestinal permeability. Dr. Marshall confirms through specialized testing and clinical history.

Q: Is leaky gut a real medical condition?
A: While not always recognized in conventional practice, intestinal permeability is well-documented in functional medicine and linked to many chronic health conditions.

Q: What tests are used to diagnose it?
A: Dr. Marshall may use zonulin, LPS, IgA, stool panels, or advanced food sensitivity tests to evaluate the gut lining and inflammation.

Q: Can I reverse leaky gut?
A: Yes—with the right support. Most patients experience symptom relief and improved resilience by following a structured gut healing plan.

Q: Will I have to eliminate a lot of foods forever?
A: Not likely. The goal is temporary removal of triggers, then careful reintroduction once healing is underway. Long-term restriction isn’t the end goal—freedom is.

✅ 5 Steps to Begin Healing Leaky Gut

☐ Eliminate inflammatory triggers (gluten, refined sugar, alcohol, processed foods)
☐ Add gut-healing nutrients like bone broth, L-glutamine, zinc, and aloe vera
☐ Include prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods to nourish your microbiome
☐ Focus on stress relief—deep breathing, light movement, and downtime
☐ Prioritize sleep and circadian rhythm to aid overnight gut repair

You don’t have to do it all at once—just start with what feels manageable.

‍