Doctor Doni
16 Supplements, Nutrients and Herbs to Heal Leaky Gut
Dr. Doni Wilson's Team
8 years ago
Dr. Doni lists the best nutrients, herbs, and natural supplements that can help heal
Leaky Gut, and explains what they do and who should take them.
Part 14 of Dr. Doni’s Series on Leaky Gut
Over the past few blog posts we have been looking at everything to do with Leaky Gut and
how to manage, heal, and prevent it. We’ve covered everything from IBS to depression,
weight gain, Hashimoto’s, and many other health issues. If you’ve missed any of the series,
you can read all the articles here.
Let Dr. Doni help you take action now with her Leaky Gut and Digestive Solutions
Package. More info >>
In this article, as I wrap up this blog series, I want to list and explain some of
the key supplements, nutrients, and herbs* that I most frequently
recommend when treating patients with Leaky Gut. Before we look at
those supplements, I want to offer a few words of advice about using them.
First, it’s important to pay attention to your body’s response whenever you take a new
supplement. Some people are sensitive to supplements, especially when Leaky Gut is
present. Therefore, in these situations it’s better to start off with one ingredient at a time,
and if needed, gradually add others one at a time. This allows you time to see whether you
might be experiencing a negative reaction or sensitivity to a specific supplement before
adding another.
The other reason why it’s important to introduce supplements one at a time is that if you
take too many new supplements at once, you won’t know which IS working and which is
not. It’s just as important to know what works well for you as it is to know what does not.
You’ll want to work with your naturopathic doctor to help you know in which order to add
in supplements to heal Leaky Gut. For you, the order of starting supplements may be very
different than for another person.
For example, for a person who has a lot of heartburn or nausea, you might need to start with
just licorice (DGL) for a few weeks before adding in other support. Whereas someone who
experiences a lot of bloating may need to start with digestive support before moving on to
probiotics.
Bearing that in mind, here’s a list of my “Top 16” herbs and supplements that can help
heal and prevent Leaky Gut and related issues. I’ve grouped them into three different
categories:
1. Supplements that help with digesting food
2. Supplements that heal the intestinal lining
3. Supplements that balance bacteria in the gut
Top 16 Supplements and Herbs to Help with Leaky Gut, by
Category
Supplements That Help with Digesting Food
1. Pancreatic Enzymes (protease, amylase, lipase)
What they are and what they do: Pancreatic enzymes help to digest food including
protein, carbohydrates, and fats with three main enzymes: protease digests proteins,
amylase digests carbohydrates, and lipase digests fats. When food is better digested, it is
not able to trigger an inflammatory response, nor to be fermented by bacteria, and so
supports a healthy intestinal lining. Stress decreases the production of pancreatic enzymes
by your pancreas.
Who should try them: Anyone who feels they are not digesting food well, or who feels
bloated after eating. If you have Leaky Gut, taking pancreatic enzymes is a good way to
prevent food reactions and to support healing. Just be sure to check the other ingredients
in the product for anything you may react to.
Who should avoid them: There are not many contraindications for pancreatic enzymes,
although if you have healthy digestion and Leaky Gut has healed, then you don’t need to
take them. Some people worry that taking pancreatic enzymes will inhibit the production
of enzymes by your body, but I have not found that to be the case. If you have an
inflammatory bowel disease or have had recent intestinal surgery then you may need to
avoid them (check with your practitioner). If you have allergies to protease, amylase, or
lipase, you should avoid pancreatic enzymes.
Alternative options: You can support your body to make pancreatic enzymes by
decreasing your stress load, eating in a calm environment and taking time to chew your
food, and eating foods that are bitter (arugula, for example).
I recommend: Enzyme Support because it contains enzymes that specifically help digest
casein and gluten in case you are exposed, and will help digest all other food with
protease, lipase, and amylase. Take 1 capsule with meals (during or after eating)—take 2
capsules with larger meals.
2. Hydrochloric Acid
What it is and what it does: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is present in the stomach to aid with
the digestion of proteins in your food – we know it as stomach acid. Contrary to what you
might think, it is quite common to be low in stomach acid, and this can increase Leaky Gut
because undigested proteins trigger immune responses which cause damage to the gut
lining thus making it leaky. When taken as a supplement, hydrochloric acid increases
stomach acid to help you digest the proteins in your food.
Who should try it: Anyone who has symptoms of low stomach acid such as: bloating,
burping, or who feels they are just not digesting food well.
NB: You only want to take hydrochloric acid if you really need to as too much stomach acid is
also a big problem and can cause heartburn.
Who should avoid it: Anyone who suffers from heartburn, reflux, or stomach pain. Also
avoid hydrochloric acid if you have an ulcer or if you experience heartburn after you take
it.
Alternative options: As mentioned under pancreatic enzymes, taking time to chew and
eat your food calmly will enhance your body’s production of a healthy amount of stomach
acid. Bitter herbs (such as gentian and chamomile) are also used to support stomach acid
production.
I recommend: Betaine HCl. Start with 1 capsule with food that contains protein (poultry
or meat). You may increase the dose to 2 capsules with food as long as you don’t
experience burning after taking it. Don’t take HCl on an empty stomach and don’t open the
capsules. Don’t take HCl if you have heartburn, GERD or ulcers.
3. Bile Support
What it is and what it does: Bile support supplements such as bile (from an animals
source) or taurine, Vitamin B6 or glycine help with the digestion of fats which is incredibly
important for healthy digestion and the absorption of fats needed for healthy cells. There
are three treatment options: one is to support your body to make better bile by taking the
nutrients your body uses to make bile (taurine, glycine, vitamin B6); take herbs that
support bile production (beets, artichokes, dandelion root, and milk thistle); take a
supplement containing ox bile.
Who should try it: Anyone who feels worse after eating foods that have a high fat
content. If you have had your gall bladder removed, bile support is essential. It can also be
helpful if you have dysbiosis or SIBO (an imbalance of the bacteria in your digestive tract).
Who should avoid it: Anyone who feels unwell (or worse) at all after taking supplements
to support fat digestion. Ox bile is not vegetarian, so vegetarians would choose a nutrient
and herbal product instead.
I recommend: Ox Bile with pancreatin. Start by taking 1 with meals and increase to 2 or 3
if needed.
Supplements That Heal the Intestinal Lining
4. Glutamine
What it is and what it does: Glutamine is an amino acid used as fuel by the cells that line
the intestines to keep them healthy. It has been shown to heal Leaky Gut.1 Glutamine levels
can be depleted when the body is under prolonged stress leaving you vulnerable to Leaky
Gut.
Who should avoid it: Anyone who feels anxious or worse in any way after taking
glutamine.
Alternative Options: You can get glutamine in poultry and meat, as well as in bone broth
and cabbage juice.
I recommend: Glutamine powder or capsules. Glutamine can also be taken in a
combination formula, such my Leaky Gut Support formula, which combines glutamine
with herbs we are about to discuss below. Take between 500 mg to 5000 grams of
Glutamine per day (in a single dose or split in two doses daily).
5. NAG (N-acetyl glucosamine)
What it is and what it does: NAGs are known to help heal the “tight junctions” – the
spaces between the intestinal cells. When these tight junctions are affected by
inflammation they stop being so ‘tight’ allowing food particles to travel through the
intestinal lining–this is what is known as Leaky Gut.
Who should avoid it: NAG products are usually derived from shellfish so anyone who is
vegetarian or allergic to shellfish should not try them.
I recommend: NAG in a combination formula such as GI Repair Nutrients. A common
dosage range is 100 to 1000 mg per day.
6. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
What it is and what it does: Sulfur molecules, such as those in MSM, help create healthy
“tight junctions” between the intestinal cells.
Who should avoid it: If you have an allergy to sulfur-containing substances, you should
avoid MSM. Additionally, anyone who tends to react to products containing sulfur should
start with a low dose and observe for any negative response when taking MSM. Of course
stop taking any product if you notice a negative response to it.
I recommend: MSM in a combination formula such as GI Revive and GI Response. A
common dosage is 100 to 250 mg per day.
7. Zinc Carnosine
What it is and what it does: Zinc carnosine is known to be healing to the stomach and
intestinal lining.2
Who should avoid it: Anyone with elevated zinc levels in blood tests.
I recommend: Zinc carnosine by itself or in a combination formula such as Optimal GI
powder. A common dosage is 75 mg per day.
8. Aloe Vera
What it is and what it does: Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory and healing to the intestinal
lining.3
Who should avoid it: Anyone following a FODMOP diet or who responds negatively to
starchy fruits/vegetables.
I recommend: Aloe as an aqueous extract in a combination product such as Leaky Gut
Support.
9. Slippery Elm
What it is and what it does: Slippery Elm is a demulcent herb, which means that it is
anti-inflammatory and healing to the intestinal lining. It helps your body produce
protective mucus along your intestinal lining. When I hear “demulcent” I think “soothing.”
Who should avoid them: Anyone following a FODMOP diet or who responds negatively
to starchy fruits/vegetables.
I recommend: Slippery elm by itself, in a tea, or in combination product like GI Encap.
10. Licorice
What it is and what it does: Licorice is a demulcent herb like slippery elm, and so is antiinflammatory and healing to the intestinal lining. It is also known to be healing to the
esophagus and stomach, so can help heal your digestion from top to bottom. It is often
used in the DGL form to avoid affecting blood pressure levels.
Who should avoid them: Anyone following a FODMOP diet or who responds negatively
to starchy fruits/vegetables. Avoid regular licorice if you have high blood pressure (take
DGL instead).
I recommend: DGL as a powder or in a combination product like GI Encap or Leaky Gut
Support. A common dosage is 500 mg of the extract one to three times per day.
11. Turmeric/Curcumin
What it is and what it does: Turmeric or curcumin is an anti-inflammatory herb that
helps heal the intestinal lining by decreasing inflammation (cytokines).
Who should avoid it: If you have an inflammatory bowel disease, check with your
practitioner before taking curcumin. It is also important to check with your practitioner if
you have a tendency to kidney stones or if you need to decrease consumption of oxalates.
I recommend: For digestive purposes, a powder or capsule form can be used at a dose of
250 to 500 mg per day, such as in a combination product.
12. Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
What it is and what it does: Cat’s Claw is a healing herb that has been shown to help heal
a leaky intestinal lining.
Who should avoid it: If you have an autoimmune condition, high blood pressure, or if
you are taking medications that thin your blood, then you should check with your
practitioner prior to taking Cat’s Claw.
I recommend: Protectagen 11 capsules or in a combination product like Optimal GI.
13. Quercetin
What it is and what it does: Quercetin is an anti-oxidant, healing herb that is shown to
help heal a leaky intestinal lining.4
Who should avoid it: Negative responses and interactions are uncommon, but if you feel
worse at all after taking quercetin, you should stop taking it.
I recommend: Quercetin by itself or in a combination such as Optimal GI.
14. Colostrum
What it is and what it does: Colostrum is made from cow or goat milk and supports the
healing of the digestive system as well as other areas of the body.
Who should avoid it: Anyone who has a severe reaction to casein should speak with the
manufacturer and your practitioner before trying it.
I recommend: Sovereign Labs because it is liposomal and so better absorbed, and less
likely to trigger a casein (milk protein) reaction.
Supplements That Balance Bacteria in the Gut
15. Probiotics
What they are and what they do: Probiotics help repopulate your large intestines with
good bacteria with the hope that they will stabilize the balance of bacteria, promoting the
growth of helpful bacteria and preventing the growth of abnormal bacteria, yeast and
parasites.
Who should avoid them: Anyone who reacts negatively after taking probiotics should
start by healing their digestion before taking probiotics. Anyone who has histamine-type
reactions (hives, itchy skin, swelling) should consider avoiding certain forms of
lactobacillus that can trigger histamine. If you have Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
(SIBO) be sure to check with your practitioner about which probiotic would be most
appropriate for you at this point in time.
I recommend: Probiotic Support is a good place to start when addressing Leaky Gut.
16. Prebiotics
What they are and what they do: Prebiotics provide food for the bacteria living in your
gut, helping them flourish. Probiotics are often made of a form of carbohydrate or fiber
such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), larch arabinogalactans, or inulin.
Who should avoid them: People who react negatively to probiotics, fiber and/or
FODMAPs. You may need to start by healing your digestion and perhaps taking probiotics
prior to adding in prebiotics.
I recommend: Galactomune and/or 400 to 800 mg of Arabinogalactans alone or in a
combination.
Closing Thoughts
Wow, that’s a lot of information! Please don’t try to take it all in at once, especially if you
have severe Leaky Gut. It is better to start with one product from each of the three categories
above and then move on to additional ingredients as you feel your body is ready.
Paradoxically, it is with less severe Leaky Gut that your body will be able to respond well to
more support.
My hope is that you’ll use this as a reference to check back with along your path of healing
Leaky Gut. And, because we are all susceptible to Leaky Gut all the time, it is really a guide to
supplements that you may want to use in varying amounts at various times of your life.
I encourage you to always choose high quality supplements. It is simply not worth taking a
supplement from a company that is not holding themselves to high standards of testing and
review. And you definitely don’t want supplements to have a long list of unnecessary “other
ingredients” that may even aggravate Leaky Gut, such as sugar, sorbitol, and/or gums and
waxes. You can find what I consider to be top quality supplements at DrDoniStore.com and
receive free shipping with orders over $99.
I’d also like to emphasize that diet change and stress reduction is always the first step;
supplements can speed up the process, but without lifestyle changes they won’t be a “magic
bullet” for you. You can do a test at home for food sensitivities with this Home Test Kit to
discover which foods to eliminate. This will also give you a sense of the severity of
Leaky Gut.
You may also want to consider following my guided program, the Stress Remedy Program,
to assist with exactly this situation—healing Leaky Gut. You can learn more about the
Stress Remedy Program here.
Contact me if you are interested in my comprehensive treatment program, so I can help you
with diet changes as well as with supplements that make sense specifically for your case.
If you’d like to find out whether you have Leaky Gut and have
my help with healing it, you may want to check out my Leaky
Gut Solutions Package. It includes consultations, the food
sensitivity panel that I mentioned above, and support for
implementing dietary changes and integrating supplements to
help heal leaky gut.
I’ve also decided to offer another way to work with me to
help you solve leaky gut and your digestive issues.
It is an online course which includes 2 group sessions, one 30minute solo session with me, the 48 food panel, as well as the
Stress Remedy Program materials and 10% discount on
supplements for 1 month. It’s called Healing Leaky Gut with
Dr. Doni (Online Course).
Register Here
And to receive my next blog post right to your email box, be
sure to sign up for my Weekly Wellness Wisdom e-newsletter
here.
That wraps up the Leaky Gut Blog Series—hope you enjoyed it!
Even more importantly, I hope that it has helped you make progress in identifying Leaky Gut
and taking steps to address it. You deserve to feel good!
–Dr. Doni
6th November 2015
*Please keep in mind that any and all supplements—nutrients, herbs, enzymes, or other—should be used with
caution. My recommendation is that you seek the care of a naturopathic doctor (with a doctorate degree from a
federally-accredited program) and that you have a primary care physician or practitioner whom you can
contact to help you with individual dosing and protocols. If you ever experience negative symptoms after
taking a product, stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor right away.
References:
1. Bertrand J1, Ghouzali I1, Guérin C1, Bôle-Feysot C1, Gouteux M1, Déchelotte P2, Ducrotté
P3, Coëffier M4. Glutamine Restores Tight Junction Protein Claudin-1 Expression in Colonic
Mucosa of Patients With Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome. JPEN J Parenter
Enteral Nutr. 2015 May 13.
2. Mahmood A1, FitzGerald AJ, Marchbank T, Ntatsaki E, Murray D, Ghosh S, Playford RJ. Zinc
carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel integrity and stimulates
gut repair processes. Gut. 2007 Feb;56(2):168-75.
3. Hamman JH1. Composition and applications of Aloe vera leaf gel. Molecules. 2008 Aug
8;13(8):1599-616.
4. Suzuki T1, Hara H. Quercetin enhances intestinal barrier function through the assembly of
zonula occludens-2, occludin, and claudin-1 and the expression of claudin-4 in Caco-2 cells.
J Nutr. 2009 May;139(5):965-74.
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