Digestive & Immune

Leaky Gut Treatment in Greenville, SC

Leaky gut treatment in Greenville, SC. Dr. Hendry's functional medicine approach heals intestinal permeability and resolves its downstream symptoms. Call (864) 365-6156.

What Is Leaky Gut?

Intestinal permeability — commonly called 'leaky gut' — refers to increased permeability of the intestinal epithelial barrier, allowing bacteria, toxins, and partially digested food particles to pass through the gut wall into the bloodstream. This triggers systemic immune activation and low-grade inflammation that manifests as symptoms far from the gut: brain fog, joint pain, skin problems, fatigue, and autoimmune activity. The medical literature now firmly establishes intestinal permeability as a real, measurable, and treatable condition.

Common Symptoms

Chronic digestive symptoms — bloating, gas, and irregular bowel habits
Food sensitivities that seem to multiply over time
Brain fog and cognitive difficulties
Fatigue that doesn't respond to rest
Joint pain and muscle aches
Skin problems — eczema, psoriasis, acne
Autoimmune conditions or a family history of them
Mood disturbances — anxiety and depression with unclear cause

Root Causes: A Functional Medicine Perspective

The tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells maintain the gut barrier. These junctions are weakened by: gluten (gliadin directly triggers zonulin release, opening tight junctions), chronic NSAID use (NSAIDs damage the gut lining), alcohol, antibiotics (disrupting the microbiome that supports barrier integrity), chronic stress (cortisol directly impairs gut barrier function), excessive sugar and refined carbohydrates (feeding inflammatory microbiota), and pathogenic bacteria and parasites.

SIBO creates particularly significant leaky gut — bacterial toxins from overgrown small intestinal bacteria damage the epithelial lining directly and through inflammatory mediators.

How We Treat Leaky Gut at IHP

The 5R gut restoration protocol systematically addresses leaky gut: Remove offending foods and pathogens, Replace digestive enzymes and stomach acid where deficient, Reinoculate with beneficial bacteria through pre and probiotics, Repair the gut lining with glutamine (the primary fuel for enterocytes), zinc carnosine, collagen, and vitamin A, and Rebalance lifestyle factors including stress, sleep, and dietary patterns.

Acupuncture regulates gut motility, reduces intestinal inflammation, and supports mucosal immunity — complementing the physical gut healing protocol with neurological regulation of the gut-brain axis.

Dr. Hendry's Approach

Dr. Hendry tests intestinal permeability using validated laboratory markers (zonulin, lactulose/mannitol ratio) to objectively confirm increased permeability and monitor healing progress throughout treatment. This data-driven approach provides both diagnostic clarity and objective evidence of improvement.

Treatments We Use for Leaky Gut

Leaky Gut Treatment
Gut Health Testing
Nutritional Counseling
Functional Medicine Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions About Leaky Gut

Yes. Intestinal permeability is documented in the peer-reviewed medical literature in connection with celiac disease, IBD, IBS, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and many other conditions. While 'leaky gut syndrome' isn't a standard ICD code, the underlying pathophysiology is scientifically well-established.
The lactulose/mannitol urine test measures how much of these non-digestible sugars pass through the gut barrier into urine — elevated ratios indicate permeability. Serum zonulin (a protein that regulates tight junction permeability) provides a complementary marker. Dr. Hendry uses both to assess and monitor gut barrier integrity.
Mild to moderate intestinal permeability typically improves significantly within 8–12 weeks of a comprehensive gut healing protocol. Severe or long-standing permeability associated with active autoimmune disease may take 6–12 months of sustained effort. Reassessment with lab testing allows objective monitoring of progress.
Bone broth contains collagen, gelatin, and glycine — all of which support gut lining repair. It's a useful food-based tool but insufficient as the sole intervention. The full 5R protocol is needed for significant intestinal permeability. However, bone broth is a worthwhile component of a gut healing dietary approach.
Yes. Cortisol directly reduces tight junction protein expression, increasing intestinal permeability. This is one of the pathways by which psychological stress drives physical illness — including autoimmune flares, IBS exacerbations, and food sensitivity development. Stress management is therefore a core component of gut healing.

Related Conditions

IBS & Gut Issues
Food Sensitivities
Autoimmune Disease
Chronic Fatigue

From the IHP Blog