Leaky Gut Syndrome

Leaky Gut Syndrome is a major cause of dysfunction and disease in our society today. For this reason, it’s important to understand its root cause and how to treat it. So, what is Leaky Gut Syndrome? And is it a cause of disease or a symptom?

Leaky gut is also known as escalated intestinal permeability. It is a digestive condition where bacteria and toxins leak through the intestinal walls.  

Scientists and health experts are often divided on the implications of leaky gut syndrome. For example, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology  discusses the theory that increased permeability is a symptom of chronic diseases such as Celiac disease and type 1 diabetes. 

On the other hand, some studies show that gastrointestinal permeability is often present before the onset of chronic diseases associated with leaky gut syndrome.  

What Causes Leaky Gut? 

Our bodies usually have an extensive intestinal lining that covers more than 4000 square feet. When this lining is working optimally, it can form an ideal barrier that can help control what gets absorbed into the bloodstream.  

However, there are instances when this lining can become unhealthy. It may have cracks or even holes that allow penetration of partially digested food and toxins into the tissues around it. This might lead to inflammation and change the gut flora which may lead to digestive problems.

With leaky gut, the cells of your intestines will not produce enzymes for proper digestion. This can make your body fail to absorb essential nutrients. The result is a weakened immune system and hormonal imbalance. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Leaky Gut? 

The following are symptoms and signs of a leaky gut: 

  • Headaches, memory loss, brain fog 
  • Excessive Fatigue 
  • Nutritional deficiencies. 
  • Poor immune system 
  • Skin complications such as eczema, acne, and rosacea 
  • Anxiety and depression 

Risk Factors 

Several factors may increase the risk of developing leaky gut. These include: 

  1. Excessive sugar intake: If your diet is high in sugar, this may cause damage to the intestinal wall. This may lead to a leaky gut. 
  1. Excessive intake of alcohol:  Too much alcohol may increase intestinal permeability, leading to a leaky gut.  
  1. Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamin D, A and zinc can increase intestinal permeability causing a leaky gut.
  1. Stress: Stress is a common risk factor leading to a leaky gut.
  1. Yeast overgrowth: It is worth noting that your gut usually has some yeast growing in it. However, if there is an overgrowth of yeast you are likely to experience a leaky gut. 

Acupuncture for Leaky Gut?  

It’s important to promote a healthy gut to reduce the risk of leaky gut syndrome. This calls for lifestyle changes such as limiting the use of NSAIDs, eating high fibre foods, eating foods with probiotics, and limiting your intake of sugar and alcohol. 

Navel Acupuncture

You can also explore acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM addresses the root cause of a disease by aiming to balance of Qi (energy/life force) and organ function.  Your acupuncture practitioner places needles on specific acupoints that correspond to relevant energy channels. With leaky gut syndrome, acupuncture treatment focuses on addressing imbalances in the kidneys, liver, and spleen. 

Call Centre of Balance Hamilton on 07 846 7956 to book an initial exam. Your practitioner will advise you on dietary and lifestyle changes that may help leaky gut, as well as giving you a treatment plan.

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References 

Odenwald, M. A., & Turner, J. R. (2013). Intestinal permeability defects: is it time to treat? Clinical Gastroenterology and hepatology, 11(9), 1075-1083. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758766/  

Meddings, J. B., Jarand, J., Urbanski, S. J., Hardin, J., & Gall, D. G. (1999). Increased gastrointestinal permeability is an early lesion in the spontaneously diabetic BB rat. American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 276(4), G951-G957. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10198339/  

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Monica

I am originally from Hebei province in China. I hold a NZ bachelor’s degree of health and science with a major in acupuncture. I am honoured to be an acupuncturist at Centre of Balance. Helping patients to alleviate their pain brings me the greatest joy. Chinese medicine emphasises the unity of human beings and nature. During the treatment, I hope to not only relieve your pain but also help you to understand the principles behind acupuncture’s effectiveness, as well as the significant impact of diet, emotions, lifestyle habits, and living environments on disease recovery. Self-healing is an ability that our bodies are naturally endowed with.

I studied acupuncture in New Zealand and completed one and a half years of supervised clinical internship before graduating. In the early stage of my training, I mainly worked with patients experiencing neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. Under the guidance of senior clinical tutors, I gradually developed hands-on experience and confidence in treating musculoskeletal pain conditions.
As my clinical exposure expanded, I began treating a wider range of internal conditions. Alongside traditional acupuncture, I was introduced to Umbilical Acupuncture and Tungs-acupuncture Points. What interested me most about these approaches is that they often do not require needling directly at the painful area, yet can still achieve very effective results.
I was especially inspired by observing my supervisor use Umbilical Acupuncture to treat common conditions such as insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and even rheumatoid arthritis, with very positive outcomes. Another supervisor was highly skilled in Tungs-acupuncture Points and achieved excellent results in treating pain, infertility, menstrual disorders, and a variety of women’s health conditions. After completing my studies and entering clinical practice, once I observed Dr. Szenan Phua using Tungs-acupuncture points to help cancer patients relieve pain, which further strengthened my trust in this treatment method.
I later completed training in Dr. Tan Balance Acupuncture, which had a strong influence on the way I approach treatment. One of the most noticeable features of this method is how quickly patients often feel improvement, especially with pain conditions. Dr. Szenan Phua’s New Balance Acupuncture combines meridian regulation with structural adjustment and internal organ balancing, including techniques such as pulse balancing and spinal adjustment.
From my clinical experience, pain is rarely just a local issue. It often involves underlying organ weakness or structural imbalance. When these aspects are addressed together, treatment can be more thorough and longer-lasting. I also apply this approach to internal conditions, particularly in fertility and women’s health. This includes supporting natural conception, IVF preparation and embryo transfer, pregnancy support, early-pregnancy nausea, and late-pregnancy labour induction. I combine these treatments with concepts learned from a few additional fertility training, which has given me a broader and more flexible clinical perspective. This has reinforced my belief that acupuncture should be adapted to each individual rather than applied through fixed formulas.
Two other areas of study that have been very helpful in my clinical work are Tongue Diagnosis and Dr. Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture. Although tongue diagnosis is taught in my standard Chinese medicine training, further study allowed me to deepen and refine my diagnostic skills.
My first formal training was in Li’s Tongue Diagnosis, which looks not only at organ patterns, but also at how different areas of the tongue reflect the body’s structure. This system also explores personality traits and changes during pregnancy, making it both clinically useful and engaging. I later attended online lectures on Yin’s Tongue Diagnosis and studied the related materials independently. this learning has helped me make clearer and more accurate pattern differentiation, allowing my acupuncture treatments to be more targeted. It covers a wide range of conditions, including skin disorders, oncology-related presentations, mental health patterns, and joint or limb problems. In practice, tongue observation often provides valuable insight even before a patient begins describing their symptoms.
In addition to the methods above, I regularly use local bloodletting techniques, which can be very effective for improving circulation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. I also incorporate auricular (ear) acupressure and stimulation, which I commonly use for allergies, insomnia, headaches, stress management, and various internal conditions.
In my clinical work, I value taking the time to listen carefully to each patient and to understand their overall health, lifestyle, and concerns. Based on each individual’s condition, I also provide personalised dietary guidance and lifestyle or wellness advice to support overall health and long-term wellbeing. I commonly support patients with musculoskeletal pain, such as neck, shoulder, knee, and back pain, as well as stress-related conditions, sleep issues, migraines, digestive concerns, and women’s health and fertility-related conditions.