Leaky Gut in Kids: Preventing Small Intestine Damage
The first few years of a child’s life are vital to the development of their bodily functions. Sometimes the overlooked culprit is the gut. Functional medicine practitioner and educator Ravina Thomas on MissPoppins, The Art of Parenting, describes leaky gut in simple terms: “Much like if we think about a hose where it’s supposed to start in our mouth and end at our anus. For some of us, we get little holes in our small intestines… instead of being a hose, it becomes like a soaker hose.”
Those “holes” refer to microscopic gaps in the intestinal lining that allow food particles, microbes, or toxins to escape into the bloodstream. The process, known as increased intestinal permeability, can potentially set off inflammation throughout the body (Fasano, 2012).
Gut and Brain Work Together
Ravina points out that the gut isn’t just about digestion. “Because right beside the gut within the small intestine lines the immune system… there is a direct gut-brain axis communication system where gut microbes influence our brain function and mood.”
“If we don’t have enough serotonin, we’re not going to feel optimal,” Ravina says. “Serotonin actually is converted into melatonin, which helps us stay asleep. So if we don’t have enough serotonin, we’re going to have a child who’s not only unhappy but also not sleeping well.”
Conclusions from our conversation highlighted the interconnection between gut barrier integrity and affected mood, cognition, and sleep patterns in children/individuals.
Common Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrient deficiencies, environmental toxins, and diet patterns can all contribute. “Whether it’s mold in the house… or maybe there’s a dairy insensitivity and the parents don’t realize this, it’s critical to understand there is such a correlation between what we eat and the child’s behavior,” Ravina says.
One study performed on mice demonstrated a correlation between early-life exposure to pollutants and highly processed foods to a weakened gut barrier and an altered immune response (Chassaing et al., 2015).
Supporting Gut Health at Home
Ravina’s recommendations:
Address food sensitivities. Identify and limit triggers such as dairy, gluten, or high-sugar foods
Focus on nutrient density. Include magnesium-rich foods, fermented products, and a variety of vegetables
Consider the environment. “If the goldfish is sick, do we medicate the goldfish or change the water?” she asks. “We have to look at the child’s environment before we try to medicate symptoms away.”
Nutrient, environment, and food absorption are the main factors contributing to a healthy gut. Always be sure to consult with a medical professional if you think issues arise elsewhere for proper treatment.