Best supplements for leaky gut and RA

Dia duit agus fáilte – that’s Irish for hello and welcome – to this blog about how to reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases naturally. Today we’re discussing best supplements for leaky gut.

You might be wondering why this post is called “Best supplements for leaky gut” when this is a blog for women living with RA and autoimmune disease. Well, it turns out that leaky gut and rheumatoid arthritis, or any autoimmune disease, are intertwined. See this post for more info.

In this post, you are going to learn about the best supplements for leaky gut, which also means the best supplements for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases; I hope you find this info helpful as you navigate your way towards full health and return to your live-out-loud life.

Quick note

First, I need to remind you: I am not a physician and you should talk to your doctor with any questions you have regarding alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Also, even after 7 years, I am still learning how to treat rheumatoid arthritis naturally and know that most alternative treatments for RA take time which can be frustrating. Often, I experiment with “treatments” for my own body regularly and am usually delighted to find a new way of being in the world that allows me to reduce the occurrences of RA flare-ups.

Overview of best supplements for leaky gut and rheumatoid arthritis

No pill or single supplement is going to miraculously cure your RA or your leaky gut but research has shown that several supplements can have a big impact on your health. When you include supplements as part of your overall natural approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis (and any autoimmune disease), they can produce positive results. Be sure to consult with your doctor regarding dosages and any possible interactions with any medications you may be taking.

I have written this post in order of supplement importance, according to the treatment plan my own functional medicine practitioner prescribed. I have listed the other recommended best supplements for leaky gut alphabetically.

Please note: I am not recommending any dosages for you; that is between you and your doctor. I am simply sharing what supplements I take for my rheumatoid arthritis and leaky gut.

L-Glutamine

My doctor told me L-Glutamine was the #1 best supplement for leaky gut which made it a no-brainer for me. It is a simple drink each morning upon waking and right before bedtime. The only “bad news’ was the amount of time she said it could take to health my damaged intestines – up to 5 years (that’s a LONG time!!).

L-Glutamine is an amino acid that is broken down from proteins; it is considered fundamental to the well-being of the digestive system.

If you’re a science geek, here’s more info.

L-Glutamine is found naturally in many of the foods we eat. For those of us living with rheumatoid arthritis other autoimmune diseases, the best food sources include: eggs, fish, chicken, legumes (lentils, chick peas, black beans etc…) and leafy greens.

Omega 3s, aka Fish Oils (or a vegan replacement)

I’ve been taking Omega 3 fatty acids supplements for many years and was not surprised that my doc recommended this supplement for rheumatoid arthritis and leaky gut. After all, in studies, fish oil has demonstrated some of the same anti-inflammatory benefits as NSAIDS without the tummy trouble.

This study calls Omega 3s “an attractive adjunctive treatment for joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis” In addition to being a great alternative treatment for RA, Fish oil:

You’ll find an abundance of naturally occurring fish oil in cold water, fatty fish such as salmon and tuna. (Because tuna often has high levels of mercury, be sure to source this fish carefully.)

Caution: Fish oil can slow blood clotting; talk to your physician if you are on blood thinners.

Vitamin D3

Also known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D definitely falls into the list of top 10 supplements for rheumatoid arthritis. Because it is known to increase bone strength and because people living with RA often have lower bone density due to inflammation and inactivity, Vitamin D is often recommended as a supplement for rheumatoid arthritis. Benefits include:

There seems to be a more profound impact of Vitamin D when it is obtained directly from sunshine but many of us don’t live in sunny climes or spend little time outdoors. Plus, too much sun exposure can also be detrimental to your health. Be sure to slather on non-toxic sunscreen, like this one, when you plan to be outside. A general guideline for safe sun exposure is 20-30 minutes, 1-3 days per week on as much skin ass possible. (Permission granted for nude sunbathing!!)

One additional benefit – according to studies, (read here) Vitamin D “confirmed that vitamin D supplementation can help protect against acute respiratory infections” (including flu)

Foods that include Vitamin D are salmon, sardines, egg yolks (preferably pasture-raised) and mushrooms.

Licorice root extract

Let me start by saying, I dislike the taste of licorice and balked at taking this supplement. I found a way to do so that worked for me – I added it to my L-Glutamine drink each morning and evening and chugged the concoction down without really tasting it.

Licorice is not a supplement you want to be on for an extended period of time; I was on it for about 6 months. Be sure to look for the DGL form of licorice root. This form of licorice is much safer with fewer risks but only comes in chew form.

These tabs don’t have the same strong licorice taste I dislike so much!

Caution: Do not use if have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure

Probiotics

As you learned in this article, the gut is full of bacteria and we want to increase the good guys and reduce the bad guys whenever possible. Probiotics are basically a collection of good guys in a little pill – sounds like the perfect supplement for rheumatoid arthritis, if you ask me.

Probiotics:

The three best food sources of probiotics are yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut. Given that I limit dairy and don’t like the latter 2, I choose to take a supplement and follow the suggested dosage. It is recommended to rotate different brands in order to get a wide variety of bacteria strains. And be sure to choose a product with a USP label.

5 more supplements for leaky gut and RA:

Boswellia

Boswellia is the Latin name for Frankincense and I first came across it as an aromatherapist; I was quite surprised when I saw the long list of benefits offered by Boswellia in essential oil form. These benefits include:

• relieves tension and anxiety
• soothes coughs, bronchitis and laryngitis
• reduces fevers and nervous conditions

Boswellia is the resin of a tree and is not available in food form. You will find it in capsule and powder form and also, using the pure essential oil in a carrier for massage is a very pleasant way to “ingest” its healing properties. Do not ingest Boswellia essential oil through the mouth.

Blend Frankincense in your favorite carrier oil (almond is my fave) for a hand and foot massage oil. I use it in the evenings while we’re watching telly. It feels better if someone else does the foot massage!!

Calcium

Calcium is one of the most important elements in the body; it is used to:

It is much better to get enough calcium from your food rather than from a supplement. However, many of the drugs used to treat RA increase your chances of developing osteoporosis and the chronic pain of a debilitating disease like RA often prevents the weight bearing exercises essential for good bone health, meaning that a supplement may be needed to support your skeletal system. Ask your doctor if a calcium supplement is a good idea for you and your bones.

Sourcing enough calcium from your food is quite easy. While much hype is made of calcium in dairy, we already know that dairy can irritate rheumatoid arthritis and thus, it makes sense to avoid dairy when possible. Instead, load up on leafy green veggies, nuts and seeds, legumes, cornmeal, edamame and sardines or salmon.

Notes:

• Calcium needs Vitamin D in order to be processed properly in the body.
• Too much calcium can cause constipation, gas and bloating.
• Taking calcium and magnesium together can enhance efficacy.

Glucosamine & Chondroitin

These two supplements are often touted as effective treatments for joint health but studies are mixed. See here.

That said, anecdotally, they have proven highly effective for many people. Glucosamine is considered a pain reliever and also has cartilage protective properties while chondroitin is believed to help the body maintain fluid and flexibility in the joints. 

Neither glucosamine nor chondroitin is readily available in food and many supplements available are made from animal shells or cartilage. However, you can now find vegan options if desired.

Do not take glucosamine or chondroitin if you are:

• diabetic
• allergic to shellfish (unless you take a vegan option)
• pregnant or nursing
• on blood thinners

Turmeric

Turmeric is commonly used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It is a well-known anti-inflammatory, making it a good alternative treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmune diseases and leaky gut. Along with reducing gut permeability, it can also relieve acid reflux and is full of antioxidants.

Curcumin is the magical compound in turmeric and 1 teaspoon of powdered turmeric contains 200mg of curcumin. Its helpful sidekick is black pepper; when combined these 2 spices increase your body’s ability to fight inflammation.

Turmeric is a common ingredient in Indian food and this is, by far, the most delicious way to add this powerful anti-inflammatory supplement to your diet. You can also use fresh turmeric to make smoothies and golden milks if preferred. Just be sure to leave out those ingredients that may increase inflammation – dairy, sugars etc…

Turmeric may not be safe if you have certain health conditions such as diabetes, gallbladder disease, and bleeding disorders. Check with your doctor.

Zinc

I first took Zinc supplements as part of the Walsh Protocol for depression and its underlying cause – undermethylation. I learned more about it after I was diagnosed with RA.

Zinc is well known for its ability to boost the immune system and it has been shown to repair and stabilize gut permeability and reduce diarrhea (both signs of leaky gut) as well as improve metabolism function and reduce oxidative stress.

Supplements and herbs to avoid

There are several supplements to be wary of when you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Arnica is a commonly used pain reliever but it is considered safe only in highly diluted forms of homeopathic remedies. Be sure to consult with a knowledgeable practitioner before using arnica. It can also negatively affect the liver which becomes more of an issue if you are taking an RA medication such as Methotrexate.

Cat’s Claw is also an anti-inflammatory. But because of its side effects, you might want to try one of the suggested options above. Side effects include:

Kombucha is promoted as a detox and immune booster but studies don’t support these claims. There are several reasons to rethink drinking that sweet fizzy fermented tea.

Final thoughts

To take or not to take, that is the question. And it is a personal one. This article is simply for information purposes and I hope I have given you food for thought.

When I chose to take the natural route to address rheumatoid arthritis and its crappy symptoms, I knew it would take longer and perhaps be a little less predictable than taking a pharmaceutical. I also felt confident that my body knows how to be healthy if I just give it the right treatment and support.

In order to heal, I changed my diet and habits, shifted my perspectives and ideas, I altered how we clean the house and how I cook. In other words, I changed most things in my life and adding a supplement regimen was simply one of those steps.

As you travel your journey back to full health and your live-out-loud life, you will be faced with many decisions and probably too much advice. Please remember – the more you learn about your body, the better the decisions you will make. You know what you need to heal (even if you don’t want to do it!) and I wish you all the best along the way.