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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has revealed a long-hidden health battle that disrupted his life for years, as he shared for the first time that he had been silently suffering from a digestive condition commonly referred to as "leaky gut."
Known for his muscular build and intense work ethic, the 53-year-old actor and former WWE champion frustration with an undiagnosed issue that persisted despite his otherwise good physical health.
"I feel great - and that's the odd thing - but I just can't crack it," Johnson said on The Mark Hyman Show, describing a confusing period when he appeared healthy on the outside but continued to struggle internally.
For years, traditional medicine failed to provide answers but that changed in late 2023, when his longtime business partner, Ari Emanuel, recommended he explore functional medicine.
That is a form of care that seeks to identify and treat the root causes of health problems rather than simply addressing the symptoms, and was something the Hollywood star was unaware of.
"I had no idea what functional medicine was," Johnson itted, but all the same he connected with Dr. Hyman, a leading figure in the field, and began a detailed diagnostic process that included extensive blood work and stool testing.
The results revealed that The Fast and Furious actor's digestive issues were linked to prior courses of antibiotics that had severely disrupted his gut microbiome by wiping out a vital bacteria known as Akkermansia.
It plays an essential role in maintaining the intestinal lining and regulating inflammation and its absence had left Johnson vulnerable to gut permeability-a condition often labelled as "leaky gut."
"I was just getting ready to launch into what would become a nine-month workload for me - nonstop work," Johnson said. "And I was thinking, 'Holy s**t, how am I going to get through this with my gut issues?'"
Was Johnson's treatment plan a success?
Ahe managed to power on through his packed 2024 schedule, that included promoting Moana 2, filming The Smashing Machine biopic, and continued WWE appearances, with a personalized treatment plan and the help of Dr. Hyman.
He was put on targeted probiotics, anti-inflammatory plant compounds such as cranberry and green tea extracts, and a specialized shake designed to intestinal healing, and it worked a success.
The results have been significant. While Johnson has not wrestled since WrestleMania 40, he has remained active in the entertainment world and, more importantly, has reported feeling stronger and more stable than he has in years.
"We basically rehabbed your gut," Dr. Hyman explained, during the episode. "And now you're thriving."
His decision to share this journey publicly was motivated by a desire to shed light on health challenges that are often overlooked or misunderstood, and he emphasized the importance of persistence and a willingness to look beyond conventional approaches.