Everyone seems to be diagnosed with "leaky gut" - What Ayurveda really says about digestive disorders

It seems like everyone today is being diagnosed with leaky gut the moment their digestion isn’t perfect.

But let’s pause and look deeper - because Ayurveda offers a much more complete understanding of gut health, digestion, and inflammation than what the modern “leaky gut” label suggests.

Why is "leaky gut" such a popular diagnosis?

This therm is really everywhere. From functional doctors to wellness influencers - everyone seems to be diagnosed with it. The idea is this: undigested food particles somehow “leak” through your intestinal lining, float into the bloodstream, and trigger inflammation or even autoimmune reactions. But here’s the catch...

Even modern science hasn’t fully explained how this process works on a biochemical level. And most people chasing this diagnosis end up in a loop of endless food restriction and expensive supplements - without real, long-term healing.

Ayurvedic practitioners see it differently!

We don't talk about “holes” in your gut lining. We talks about toxins. Not visible ones, but ones formed when your digestion weakens. This toxic residue is called Ama (it’s sticky, heavy, and confusing to the body).

It builds up when we eat:

❌ too much

❌ too often

❌ wrong food combinations

❌ food which is not suitable for our unique constitution, history and predispositions ... Especially when the digestive fire is already weak.

When Ama circulates, it can reach your vital essence, the subtle nourishment meant for your heart, brain, and immune system. That’s when symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, low immunity, and autoimmune conditions start showing up.

Why “leaky gut” won’t heal with probiotics and food fear?

I’ve seen it so often: People start cutting gluten... then legumes... then grains... then fruit... and suddenly they’re afraid of everything.

And yes, Ayurveda does recommend avoiding certain foods temporarily. But not forever and not because the food is the enemy per se. Here’s the truth: You can’t heal with fear. You can’t nourish yourself by shrinking your plate. And no probiotic in the world can process food your digestive fire can’t handle (not even the fancy ones!)

How Ayurveda understands IBS, Crohn’s disease, and other gut disorders

While Western medicine divides digestive disorders into different categories (IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.), Ayurveda sees them as different expressions of one underlying cause: a disturbed digestive fire and accumulation of toxins.

Each condition reflects a unique doshic imbalance:

Vata-type gut disorders (IBS, constipation, bloating)

• IBS: Vata governs movement, flow, and the nervous system, including peristalsis (the movement of food through the intestines). When Vata becomes aggravated - through irregular eating, worry, overthinking, cold foods, travel, or exhaustion - digestion becomes erratic: sometimes fast, sometimes slow. Typical Vata-type IBS symptoms include alternating constipation and diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain that shifts location, and bloating. These are the effects of excess dryness and movement disturbing the colon (Apana Vata). Some people with IBS have burning, inflammation, or loose stools, more like an inflammatory gut reaction. In this case, Pitta is the main culprit.

• Constipation and bloating: These are classic signs of dry, light, cold, and mobile Vata qualities disturbing the colon. They often appear in people who skip meals, eat late, or live in a constant rush. Over time, this weakens Samana Vata (responsible for digestion and absorption) and Apana Vata (responsible for elimination). The result? Irregular appetite, trapped gas, and incomplete elimination - which, if left untreated, can lead to fatigue, skin issues, and even anxiety.

Pitta-type gut disorders (Crohn’s, colitis, acid reflux)

• Crohn's and colitis: Pitta governs transformation, heat, and acidity. When excessive heat accumulates in the small intestine, it leads to inflammation, ulcers, and loose stools - mirroring the pattern of Crohn’s and colitis in Western medicine. This imbalance often appears in people who are ambitious, perfectionistic, and driven — the classic Pitta constitution. Stress, spicy food, alcohol, coffee, and irregular eating intensify the heat and worsen symptoms.

• Acid reflux: Known in Ayurveda as Amlapitta, this disorder arises when the digedtive fire burns too intensely, causing food to “cook” too quickly and turn acidic. Instead of transforming food into nourishment, Pitta’s heat backfires sending acid upward. Symptoms often include heartburn, sour belching, nausea, or a burning sensation in the throat or chest after meals.

  
  

Kapha-type gut disorders (slow metabolism, mucus, heaviness, weight gain, accumulation of toxins)

• Kapha is heavy, slow, and moist by nature. When aggravated, it leads to sluggish digestion and a feeling of fullness even after light meals. The digestive fire becomes weak (Manda Agni), which allows Ama - undigested residues - to accumulate in the stomach and upper intestines.

The real solution - correcting your digestive fire!

When your digestive fire is weak or imbalanced for a long time, even healthy foods can turn into Ama - feeding inflammation instead of nourishment.

All these gut disorders (whether labeled IBS, Crohn’s, acid reflux, or sluggish digestion) arise when the digestive fire (Agni) loses its rhythm and toxins (Ama) begin to form.

The healing lies not in another label, but in restoring balance through the right qualities: warmth for Vata, cooling for Pitta, and stimulation for Kapha.

This is what true Ayurvedic digestive healing means - supporting the fire so your body can transform, absorb, and thrive again.

For me, the focus is always on:

• Rebuilding the strength of your inner digestive fire;

• Removing the foods and practices which are causing the production of toxins, so your body can actually handle what you eat;

• Calming the nervous system - because no digestion thrives in fight-or-flight;

• Reintroducing foods as the body becomes stronger.

Do you want to heal your gut?

Whether you’re struggling with IBS, Crohn’s, or a “mysterious” leaky gut diagnosis, this approach offers long-term healing through understanding your body’s constitution, restoring digestive fire, and aligning lifestyle and emotions with natural rhythms!

This is what I help my clients do: build real, grounded digestive strength from the inside out.

If you’re struggling with chronic symptoms and receiving another label doesn’t feel like a satisfying answer anymore... I’d love to guide you through the Ayurvedic approach!

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAL MY GUT SAFELY AND NATURALLY!