As a colonic hydrotherapist, trainer, and board member of RICTAT, I spend a great deal of time talking to people about digestion, often in far more detail than they ever expected to discuss their bowels with another human being. It is not first-date conversation material, but it is genuinely life-changing when the digestive system starts working as it should.
One topic that comes up repeatedly in clinic is leaky gut. It is a term that has gained popularity in recent years and, unfortunately, no small amount of confusion. Some people are convinced they have it, others have been told it does not exist, and many are simply living with symptoms they have learned to tolerate.
So let us clear things up calmly, factually, and without fear-mongering, and talk about what leaky gut actually is, how it may show up, and how you can support your digestive health safely and sensibly.
As a RICTAT-registered colonic hydrotherapist and trainer, I work with clients every week who are navigating long-standing digestive issues, confusion around gut health advice, and frustration from being passed between conflicting opinions. This article is informed by both clinical experience and current research, with the aim of offering clarity rather than quick fixes.
What Is Leaky Gut?
“Leaky gut” is the commonly used term for increased intestinal permeability.
Your gut lining is designed to act as a selective barrier. It allows nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to pass through into the bloodstream, while keeping unwanted substances such as toxins, bacteria, and undigested food particles safely inside the digestive tract.
When the tight junctions between the cells of the gut lining become compromised, larger particles may pass through more easily than they should. This increased permeability can stimulate immune responses and contribute to systemic inflammation.
Importantly, leaky gut is not a diagnosis, and it is not a disease. It is a functional change in gut barrier integrity that has been widely discussed in gastroenterology and functional medicine research.
This information is provided for educational purposes and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Ongoing or severe symptoms should always be discussed with a GP or qualified healthcare professional.
What Can Contribute to Leaky Gut?
In clinical practice, leaky gut rarely appears in isolation. It often develops alongside long-term digestive stressors, including:
- Diets high in ultra-processed foods and refined sugars
- Chronic psychological or emotional stress
- Regular alcohol consumption
- Repeated use of antibiotics
- Long-term use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen
- Food intolerances or sensitivities
- Gut infections or imbalances in gut bacteria
- Chronic constipation or irregular bowel habits
In short, modern life is not always kind to our digestive systems, and the gut often lets us know when it has had enough.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Leaky Gut
Symptoms associated with increased intestinal permeability can vary widely. Some people experience digestive discomfort, while others notice effects elsewhere in the body.
Digestive Symptoms
- Bloating and excess wind
- Constipation, diarrhoea, or alternating patterns
- Abdominal discomfort or cramping
- Food sensitivities
- Acid reflux or indigestion
Whole-Body Symptoms
- Persistent fatigue
- Brain fog, that “why did I walk into this room?” feeling
- Joint or muscle aches
- Skin issues such as eczema, acne, or psoriasis
- Headaches or migraines
- Low mood or anxiety
These symptoms do not automatically mean you have leaky gut. However, they can indicate that your digestive system may need attention.
How Is Leaky Gut Identified?
There is currently no single NHS diagnostic test for leaky gut. However, practitioners may assess gut health using a combination of:
- A comprehensive health and symptom history
- Stool testing to assess gut bacteria and inflammation
- Zonulin markers used in some functional medicine settings
- Elimination diets to identify food triggers
Symptoms should always be discussed with a GP or qualified healthcare professional, particularly if they are persistent, worsening, or unexplained.
Supporting Gut Health Safely and Effectively
Gut healing is not about drastic cleanses or extreme protocols. In fact, the gut generally prefers consistency, patience, and a bit of kindness.
1. Eat to Support the Gut Lining
A nutrient-dense, whole-food diet can support normal gut barrier function. Helpful foods include:
- Fibre-rich vegetables and legumes
- Healthy fats such as olive oil, oily fish, and seeds
- Fermented foods containing live cultures
- Adequate protein intake
Reducing sugar, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods often makes a noticeable difference over time.
2. Support a Healthy Gut Microbiome
A balanced gut microbiome plays an important role in maintaining intestinal integrity. This may be supported through:
- Greater dietary diversity
- Prebiotic fibres that feed beneficial bacteria
- Probiotic foods or supplements where appropriate and professionally advised
3. Manage Stress (Yes, Really)
The gut and nervous system are deeply connected via the gut-brain axis. Chronic stress can influence gut permeability and bowel function.
Even small stress-reducing practices such as walking, breathing exercises, or prioritising sleep can have a positive effect on digestive health.
4. Address Bowel Regularity
Regular bowel movements are essential for digestive health. When waste remains in the colon for extended periods, it can contribute to discomfort, bloating, and feelings of sluggishness.
And no, going “every few days” is not ideal, even if it has always been that way for you.
Where Colonic Hydrotherapy May Offer Support
Colonic hydrotherapy does not treat or cure leaky gut, and it is important to be clear about that.
However, when delivered safely and professionally, it may provide supportive benefits for individuals addressing digestive health as part of a broader lifestyle and nutritional approach.
In clinical practice, some clients report supportive benefits such as:
- Encouraging regular bowel function
- Reducing bloating and abdominal discomfort
- Supporting waste elimination
- Improving awareness of bowel habits
- Supporting clients during dietary or lifestyle changes
Colonic hydrotherapy should always be delivered by a suitably trained, insured, and registered practitioner, and is most effective when used alongside evidence-based nutritional guidance and medical care where appropriate.
As a RICTAT-registered practitioner, all sessions are preceded by a full consultation to ensure colonic hydrotherapy is appropriate, safe, and tailored to the individual.
Think of colonic hydrotherapy as one supportive tool, not the whole toolbox.
When Might It Be Helpful to Book In?
You may consider booking a colonic hydrotherapy session if you:
- Experience chronic constipation or incomplete bowel movements
- Feel persistently bloated or uncomfortable
- Are beginning a gut-support programme and want additional digestive support
- Want to better understand your bowel health
Colonic hydrotherapy should always form part of a holistic approach that includes nutrition, hydration, movement, stress management, and appropriate medical advice.
A Final Word (From Someone Who Talks About Guts All Day)
Your gut is not just about digestion. It influences energy, immunity, mood, and overall wellbeing. When it is unhappy, it has a habit of letting you know in creative and inconvenient ways.
The good news is that with informed choices, professional support, and realistic expectations, digestive health can often be improved over time.
And remember, if your gut could talk, it probably would not ask for another fad cleanse. It would ask for consistency, nourishment, and perhaps a little less stress.
About the Practitioner
Tracy Johnson is a RICTAT-registered colonic hydrotherapist, trainer, and educator with extensive experience supporting digestive health in a clinical setting. Her approach prioritises safety, informed consent, and realistic, sustainable gut health support grounded in both professional practice and current research.
References & Evidence-Based UK Resources
- Bischoff SC et al. Intestinal permeability: a new target for disease prevention and therapy. BMC Gastroenterology, 2014
- Fasano A. Leaky gut and autoimmune diseases. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 2012
- Camilleri M et al. Intestinal barrier function in health and disease. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 2012
- NHS UK. Digestive health and gut conditions
- British Society of Gastroenterology. Gut health resources