Gut Health and Leaky Gut
Gut problems come to us in two ways. Some people come in specifically for digestive symptoms: bloating, gas, loose stools, constipation, or pain after eating that they have been managing for years. Others come in for something else entirely, fatigue, skin problems, brain fog, or recurring infections, and when we start digging, the gut turns out to be a central piece of what is going on. The gut affects far more than digestion, and that connection is often what conventional workups miss.
What leaky gut means
The lining of the small intestine is designed to be selectively permeable: it lets nutrients through and keeps other things out. When that barrier is compromised, a condition called intestinal permeability or leaky gut, particles that should stay in the gut get into the bloodstream and trigger an immune response. Over time that immune activation contributes to inflammation, food sensitivities, autoimmune conditions, and symptoms that seem completely unrelated to digestion.
The most common causes we look into include bacterial imbalances, too much of the wrong bacteria and not enough of the right ones, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO, fungal overgrowth, parasites, inadequate stomach acid or digestive enzymes, food sensitivities, and chronic stress, which directly affects gut motility and permeability.
How we assess it
Standard GI workups rule out serious disease and stop there. In functional medicine, we go further: looking at the bacterial environment, the integrity of the gut lining, immune markers, and stool analysis to understand what is actually happening in the digestive tract. A GI-MAP stool analysis is the primary tool. It identifies pathogens, bacterial imbalances, markers of gut lining integrity, and digestive function in one test.
How we treat it
The plan follows what we find, not a one-size protocol. That might mean addressing an overgrowth, supporting the gut lining with targeted nutritional support, identifying food triggers through elimination or testing, or working on the stress and nervous system factors keeping the gut in a reactive state. Acupuncture supports gut motility and the nervous system regulation of digestion directly. Read more about acupuncture.
Gut work often connects to other systems: thyroid, hormones, skin, mood. We look at the whole picture. Read more about our functional medicine approach.
Common questions
How do I know if I have leaky gut?
There is no single definitive test, but a combination of symptoms, history, and functional lab work gives a clear picture. Common signs include bloating after meals, food sensitivities that keep expanding, fatigue, brain fog, and skin conditions like eczema or acne that do not fully respond to topical treatment.
What is the difference between IBS and leaky gut?
IBS is a diagnosis based on symptoms. Leaky gut describes a mechanism, a breakdown in the gut barrier. The two often overlap, and addressing the gut lining is frequently part of what helps IBS symptoms improve.
How long does it take to see improvement?
Meaningful changes in digestion often come within four to eight weeks of consistent work. Full resolution of chronic gut issues takes longer and depends on how long the problem has been building.
My GI doctor said everything looked normal. Why would I come to you?
A normal colonoscopy or endoscopy rules out structural disease. It does not tell you what your gut bacteria look like, whether your gut lining is intact, how well you are digesting and absorbing food, or whether low-grade inflammation is present. Those are different questions that require different tests.
Do you offer telehealth consultations?
Yes. Functional medicine consultations are available via telehealth across North Carolina. Read more about telehealth.
Related: IBS and SIBO, food sensitivities, autoimmune conditions
Serving Mooresville and the Lake Norman area, including Huntersville and Statesville.
Schedule an appointment or call 704-663-2010.
