Natural solutions for your digestive needs
Targeted care for gut healing.
Natural solutions tailored to your unique digestive needs. When bloating, fatigue, and brain fog trace back to leaky gut, we find the why and rebuild your gut barrier from within.
Leaky gut syndrome
Restoring digestive health naturally.
Understanding the why to heal from within.
When your digestive system isn’t functioning optimally, it can lead to symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and brain fog. These issues may be linked to increased intestinal permeability, commonly known as leaky gut. At Flora Naturopathics, we focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of your digestive concerns, guiding you toward effective, natural solutions to restore balance and well-being.
The gut barrier
What is leaky gut?
Leaky gut syndrome, or increased intestinal permeability, occurs when the protective barrier of your small intestine becomes compromised. This barrier is lined with “tight junctions” that control what passes from your gut into your bloodstream. In a healthy gut, these junctions act like a secure filter, keeping harmful substances out while allowing nutrients and water to be absorbed.
When these tight junctions weaken or loosen, larger particles such as undigested food, toxins, and bacteria can pass through into the bloodstream. This triggers an immune system response, leading to widespread inflammation and a host of symptoms throughout the body. Research connects leaky gut to various health conditions, including autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 1 diabetes. At Flora Naturopathics, we rely on scientific evidence, advanced testing, and personalized treatments to address this complex issue and help you feel better.
Symptoms
Symptoms of leaky gut.
Leaky gut can manifest in surprising ways, often affecting more than just your digestive system. Recognizing these diverse symptoms is a critical first step toward healing.
Digestive issues
Bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation are common and often the first signs of an imbalanced gut.
Skin conditions
Eczema, psoriasis, or persistent rashes may emerge, signaling underlying inflammation.
Brain fog & fatigue
Frequent complaints that make it difficult to concentrate and leave you feeling constantly drained.
Mood disorders
Anxiety, depression, or unexplained irritability, often linked to the gut-brain connection and the impact of inflammation on mental health.
Autoimmune diseases
Rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or Crohn's disease can be exacerbated or triggered by a compromised gut barrier.
Weight & metabolic challenges
Unexplained weight gain or difficulty managing weight may stem from imbalances in gut health.
Root causes
What causes leaky gut?
A variety of factors can contribute to leaky gut — including undiagnosed food sensitivities. Addressing these triggers comprehensively helps restore intestinal integrity and overall wellness.
Diet
Processed foods, sugar, and alcohol can irritate the gut lining, leading to inflammation and increased permeability.
Food allergies
Often go undiagnosed and exacerbate gut inflammation, further weakening the intestinal lining.
Medications
Antibiotics, NSAIDs, and birth control disrupt the balance of gut bacteria and weaken the gut barrier over time.
Stress
Raises cortisol levels, which impairs gut integrity and slows tissue repair.
Toxins
Pesticides, heavy metals, and environmental pollutants place extra strain on the gut, making it more vulnerable to damage.
Underlying infections
Bacterial imbalances, yeast overgrowth, and parasites can directly harm the gut lining.
Flora Labs
Testing for leaky gut.
Accurate testing is essential for diagnosing leaky gut and crafting effective treatment plans. Together, these diagnostics enable us to design personalized treatment plans that restore gut function and support long-term health.
- 01
Mannitol-lactulose test
You drink a solution containing two sugars, and over six hours their absorption is analyzed through a urine sample to assess whether your gut barrier is functioning properly or needs support.
- 02
Comprehensive stool analysis
Evaluates the gut microbiome, identifying bacterial imbalances, yeast overgrowth, parasites, and markers of inflammation contributing to intestinal permeability.
- 03
Food sensitivity & organic acids testing
Identifies dietary triggers, detects imbalances in gut bacteria, and measures exposure to environmental stressors such as pesticides and heavy metals.
Our approach
Treating leaky gut: the 4R approach.
At Flora Naturopathics, we use the 4R approach to treat leaky gut. This comprehensive method targets the root cause of your symptoms while repairing and restoring your gut health.
Step 01
Remove
Eliminate triggers that harm the gut lining — irritants like gluten, dairy, and processed foods — using targeted testing or an elimination diet, with natural antimicrobials for bacterial imbalances or infections.
Step 02
Re-inoculate
Replenish beneficial bacteria with high-quality probiotics and fiber-rich foods — vegetables, legumes, and whole grains — that fuel short-chain fatty acids to strengthen the gut lining and support immune health.
Step 03
Repair
Rebuild the gut barrier with L-glutamine, soothing herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow root, and antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, with quercetin to help tighten the tight junctions.
Step 04
Restore
Restore digestive function with broad-spectrum enzymes, bile acids, and hydrochloric acid where needed, so food is fully broken down, nutrients are absorbed, and overgrowth is kept in check.
Moving forward
Your path to gut health.
Healing your gut takes time, but with the right support, you can experience a profound transformation in your health and well-being. At Flora Naturopathics, we believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. Leaky gut also rarely travels alone — it often overlaps with SIBO and food sensitivities, and your plan accounts for all of it.
Take the first step toward a healthier gut by scheduling a consultation today. Let’s work together to rebuild your health from the inside out.
Patient feedback
Hundreds of patients, in their own words.
4.9/5
from 213 Google reviews
Your symptoms are signals
Let's turn them into a plan.
Book your first telehealth visit and start uncovering the root causes behind how you feel, with a plan built around your history, labs, and goals.
Free e-books
Doctor-written guides you can start reading today.
Download free e-books from Flora's doctors and take the first steps toward better health at home.
Cleaning Up Your Environment & Optimizing Your Fertility
by Dr. Shannon Iselin
A practical guide to reducing everyday environmental toxins while preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy.
Get the free e-book
The Troubled Tummy
by Dr. Maura Henninger
Five keys to reversing pain, embarrassment, and discomfort so you can enjoy happy, healthy digestion.
Get the free e-book