Leaky Gut, Food Sensitivities, & Autoimmunity: Connecting the Dots to Chronic Inflammation
Autoimmune disease doesn’t happen overnight. It often begins with chronic inflammation—fueled by hidden triggers like leaky gut and food sensitivities.
In functional medicine, we see these issues not as isolated problems but as interconnected root causes of immune dysfunction.
This blog breaks down how intestinal permeability contributes to food intolerance, systemic inflammation, and the development of autoimmune conditions—and most importantly, what you can do about it.
What Is Leaky Gut?
Also known as intestinal permeability, leaky gut occurs when the tight junctions in your intestinal lining become damaged. This allows:
Undigested food particles
Bacterial toxins (like LPS)
Inflammatory compounds
to “leak” into the bloodstream—triggering a chronic immune response.
Leaky Gut → Food Sensitivities → Inflammation
When the gut barrier is compromised:
The immune system is exposed to foreign particles.
It tags certain proteins (often from food) as dangerous.
The body mounts an IgG or IgA immune response, creating chronic, low-grade inflammation.
This inflammation can become systemic—affecting joints, brain, skin, thyroid, and more.
Common symptoms of food sensitivities include:
Bloating and gas
Brain fog
Fatigue
Joint pain
Skin rashes
Mood swings
Over time, this constant immune activation can contribute to autoimmunity.
How Leaky Gut Drives Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.
Functional medicine research, including Dr. Alessio Fasano’s work, has shown that three factors are typically involved in autoimmune development:
Genetic susceptibility
Environmental trigger (like gluten, toxins, infections)
Leaky gut
Without healing the gut, autoimmune flares often continue—no matter what medications are used.
Triggers That Contribute to Leaky Gut & Autoimmunity
Common examples include:
Diet: gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol, processed foods
Toxins: pesticides, mold, heavy metals
Stress: chronic cortisol imbalance
Infections: candida, parasites, H. pylori, viruses
Medications: NSAIDs, antibiotics, PPIs
Dysbiosis: imbalance of good vs. harmful gut microbes
Why Conventional Medicine Often Misses It
Traditional medicine tends to treat symptoms (e.g., joint pain, rashes, fatigue) without asking why the immune system is activated in the first place.
Functional medicine looks upstream—at the gut, toxins, infections, and food sensitivities—as potential drivers of inflammation.
Functional Medicine Approach to Healing Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity
Step 1: Identify Triggers
Food sensitivity testing (IgG, IgA, ALCAT)
GI-MAP or stool testing for infections
Toxin panels (mold, metals, glyphosate)
Step 2: Remove Offenders
Eliminate reactive foods (e.g., gluten, dairy, soy)
Treat gut infections and dysbiosis
Detox environmental triggers
Step 3: Repair the Gut
Nutrients: L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, aloe vera, collagen
Probiotics and prebiotics
Bone broth and anti-inflammatory herbs
Step 4: Rebalance the Immune System
Vitamin D, omega-3s, curcumin, medicinal mushrooms
Nervous system support (vagal tone, breathwork, HRV)
Personalized stress management tools
Success Stories Are Possible
When the gut is healed and the immune system is no longer on high alert, symptoms improve and autoimmune activity can quiet down.
Many people experience:
Fewer flares
More energy
Better digestion
Clearer skin and thinking
Improved labs and antibody levels
Conclusion: Heal the Gut, Calm the Immune System
Leaky gut is more than a digestive issue—it’s a root cause of inflammation that can drive autoimmune disease.
The good news? It’s reversible.
With a functional medicine approach, you can identify your unique triggers, heal your gut, and support lasting immune balance.
Want to Know If Leaky Gut Is Driving Your Autoimmune Symptoms?
Book a root-cause consultation today.
Let’s test, not guess—and build a personalized plan to heal your gut and calm inflammation from the inside out.
You can also complete our online “Gut Repair Program” to get you started!