Is there no amount of sleep that gives you a good restful night? When would you ever get a deep sleep? After food, are you feeling exhausted? Can’t get through the day or think you’re “fishing for food” – and there’s nothing wrong with what you’re eating?

If you’ve had that experience, you may be hearing from your guts.

Millions of human beings face this syndrome: leaky gut fatigue – but no one has ever made the connection between fatigue and digestive health. There are many people who do not know that their internal intestinal system can actually nurture their energy levels or deplete them, on a daily basis.

Here are some of the essential things that you need to know about what a leaky gut is, how it robs you of your vitality and the signs to look out for in a leaky gut and the steps you can take to begin feeling better. No confusing words – straightforward, understandable information to help you to understand your body.

What Is Leaky Gut – In Simple Terms?

Imagine your gut lining is similar to a fine mesh screen. It is made to allow the good stuff in, your food and only let into the body the things you should let in, nutrients, and exclude things you shouldn’t have, harmful particles, undigested food or toxins.

Once that “screen” wears out, or comes with small holes, things begin to slip through that they shouldn’t. Your body recognizes them and enters a state of alert, seeking to fend them off. It consumes a huge amount of energy for this continuous reaction – energy which should be utilized to help you remain energetic, alert and feeling well.

So that’s a very basic definition of a leaky gut. One of the most common cause of leaky gut fatigue is a constant battle between the systems.

Leaky Gut Symptoms: What to Watch For

To understand the fatigue link we need to understand in full detail what the symptoms of a leaky gut are, as fatigue does not typically occur by itself.

These are some of the common symptoms associated with poor gut health:

• Constant tiredness – Trouble getting to sleep, or if you can, difficulty staying asleep
• Brain fog – Difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, feeling “slow” mentally
• Bloating and gas – Particularly following meals
• Digestive sensitivity – Abdominal cramps, irregularity, or stomach pain
• Skin problems – Acne, redness or unknown rashes
• Food sensitivities – Sensitivity to certain foods that are normally eaten without a problem
• Mood swings or irritability – Anxiety or low mood for no good reason
• Weakened immune system – Prone to frequent sicknesses
• Knee pain – Soreness or stiffness without an apparent reason

If you’ve heard several of these, it’s time to take a closer look at your gut and energy levels as a team.

Does Leaky Gut Cause Fatigue? Here’s What’s Really Happening

If you’re asking, will it work? – yes

Does leaky gut cause fatigue? Yes – and here is why in layman’s terms.

When your gut lining isn’t working properly, your body constantly responds to the particles leaking through. This means you are constantly stressed, and that’s bad for your immune system. Protecting against that stress all day long is a tremendous effort for the body – and all the fatigue sets in as the daily tiredness you feel.

Furthermore, in case there is damage to the gut, it won’t absorb nutrients the way it should. You could be getting a balanced diet even though you’re eating a healthy diet, but your body may not be getting the vitamins or minerals that it requires for making energy, this includes such as iron, B12, magnesium and vitamin D.

The result? You’re tired, sluggish, worn out, no matter what you do “right”.

Leaky Gut Fatigue After Eating: Why Your Energy Crashes at Mealtime

Ever have a feeling that you are not energized by food, but drained? The “food coma” that many people experience after eating is often considered as such, but for those with gut problems it may be a whole lot more.

Leaky gut fatigue after eating occurs when your digestive system is overworked during a meal, as well as in response to gut wall permeating by ingested particles. At the same time, your digestive system starts ticking over in a healthy way, your digestive blood circulation rises to the gut and your immune system might respond.

This combination produces a lot of energy loss. Others say that it’s a heavy, sleepy or “brain fog” feeling that sets in 30 minutes to an hour after food. Some report that they experience bloating, unevenity or irritability along with fatigue.

Being able to notice if the fatigue comes and goes or if it increases after eating can be a key sign that something is wrong with your gut.

Leaky Gut and Extreme Fatigue: When the Tiredness Becomes Overwhelming

Fatigue, for some, is not just an inconvenience, it’s a life disrupting. Exhausting and not feeling well can be a sign of a leaky gut.

• Having difficulty staying awake after 8-9 hours of sleep
• Requires the need for daytime naps in order to function
• Exhausted following a brief period of physical and or mental activity
• A general, non-lifting dullness, whatever you do

Signs of this fatigue level are that your body is telling you that it’s overloaded. As your gut continuously works hard, your body scales up the effort required to maintain digestive balance and all other duties become secondary.

When you feel this type of fatigue, it is crucial that you don’t ignore it or try to work through it. Your body is talking to you and it needs listening.

Leaky Gut Chronic Fatigue: A Long-Term Drain on Your Energy

Tiredness is not synonymous with prolonged fatigue – exhausted for years, or months, due to months of hard work is not the same thing. Leaky gut chronic fatigue is the chronic fatigue that becomes “normal” as in as a chronic pattern where no matter what you do, you feel tired.

When the gut turmoil is not addressed over an extended period of time, the body remains in a constant state of stress response. This can lead over time to imbalance of hormones, quality of sleep, mood and the capacity of recovery after simple work.

Becoming aware of the fact that chronic fatigue is not solely mental, and it is not one that you just need to deal with, is important. Focusing on the source (your gut) can be a huge factor in your quality of life.

Gut Health and Energy: The Connection You Might Be Missing

There’s more to your gut than just digestion. It is a key component in the energy production and utilization of one’s body. The short version:

Since gut health and energy levels are inextricably linked, here’s why:

1. Absorption of nutrients – A gut that absorbs fuel. When this happens to the gut, it is lacking in vital nutrients, and you aren’t getting them
2. Gut-Brain Connection – Your gut and brain go hand in hand. If your “gut” is off your balance, you won’t look good, think clearly, or feel motivated; any of which will have an impact on your level of energy
3. Immune load – Your immune system is continually trying to break down the gut related stress, leaving less “energy” to focus on other matters
4. Quality of sleep – A poor gut health is likely to affect serotonin’s role in sleep regulation. Poor sleep leads to – you guessed it – more fatigue

One of the best ways to promote overall energy and well-being is to maintain a healthy gut.

How a Leaky Gut Fatigue Coach Can Help

Getting started on gut health can be very daunting. It’s very confusing what to do and what to say in all the information that’s available.

A leaky gut fatigue coach is an individual who focuses on educating others on the gut and energy relationship and provides a practical and personalized approach to feeling better. They are going to figure out what are some patterns in your diet, lifestyle and even symptoms, and a little bit of sustainable change is taking place in order to support your gut and to bring your energy levels back.

Coaching will help you eliminate the what-if scenarios and provide a framework and accountability that will actually help you achieve success.

Simple Steps to Support Your Gut and Restore Your Energy

Most every story is unique, but there are some things that could be helpful in the beginning:

• Fill up with nutritious whole foods – Make sure to get your fruits, veggies, lean proteins and healthy fats. Consume less processed food and refined sugars as they can trigger gut problems
• Drinking water – Keeps your body supplied with an important nutrient and helps rid itself of what it doesn’t require
• Make sleep a priority – Rest allows your gut to heal. Keep your nighttime rest and health your gut keeps intact
• Handle everyday stress – Stress is directly linked to gut health. Walking, breathing or time outdoors can help, as can simple practices
• Eat food that supports the gut – Consider probiotic-healthy foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut and kefir to help nourish a healthy gut
• Look after yourself – healing takes time. They’re the little things that count