A hypothetical condition that nowadays is not recognized as a medical diagnosis and is based on the concept of increased intestinal permeability is called leaky gut syndrome. Most of the time, it happens along with other gastrointestinal diseases.
Theoretically, this syndrome is not a symptom of another gastrointestinal disease, but an underlying cause that develops independently. When the intestinal barrier is impaired, it allows toxins and other potentially harmful substances to enter the bloodstream. As a result, this process may trigger an inflammatory process. Nowadays, there is no evidence that this syndrome is a condition in itself or that it happens due to other causes.
What is Intestinal Permeability?
Normally, the intestines are semi-permeable because the mucous lining of the bowels is designed to absorb nutrients from food and water into the bloodstream. In any case, some people may have increased intestinal permeability or hyperpermeability. This medical term means that the intestines allow more water and nutrients to pass through them.
Furthermore, some studies have shown that chronic (long-term) gastrointestinal diseases have leaky guts that allow larger molecules to pass through the intestinal lining. However, this lining acts as a protective barrier that does not let bacteria, toxic molecules, and other potential infectious agents through.
What Health Conditions Are Often Associated with Leaky Gut Syndrome?
While there are some conditions that are often associated with leaky gut syndrome, some of them are known as possible disease associations. For example:
Known Disease Associations
Generally, intestinal permeability is a feature of several inflammatory and autoimmune disorders that negatively affect the digestive system. Some examples include celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, in this case, experts consider leaky gut syndrome as a symptom of the previous conditions. It happens because these disorders cause long-term inflammation in the intestines, which often leads to erosion of the intestinal barrier over time.
However, doctors have identified intestinal permeability in some people who do not have the previous health conditions. That’s why it leads to some speculation that this condition develops independently, and the previous digestive system disorders are a contributing cause.
Possible Disease Associations
However, there are other health conditions that may cause this syndrome. Experts think that “toxins” from the intestines may begin to leak into the bloodstream, which causes an inflammatory response. Moreover, long-term low-grade inflammation could be a factor in multiple disorders. These include metabolic disorders (such as arthritis, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, and fibromyalgia).
Some experts have measured higher levels of gut bacteria production in the blood in some people with gastrointestinal disorders that are known to cause intestinal permeability. Thus, inflammation happens due to other causes, but the excessive bacteria may worsen the condition. Furthermore, healthcare providers have measured levels of bacteria production in the intestines of people with liver disease. These bacterial products may pass from the gut to the liver through the portal vein, which often contributes to liver disease, but not necessarily causes leaky gut syndrome.
Risk Factors
Nowadays, experts think this condition happens due to systematic erosion of the intestinal lining. In normal circumstances, the intestinal lining has multiple protective layers. While some of them can be temporarily injured, they are designed to repair themselves. Commonly, to penetrate the lining of the intestines, it is required to have serious health conditions or damage that happens regularly, which affects its ability to regenerate itself. Examples include chronic disorders, chronic drug use, misuse of alcoholic drinks, or radiation therapy (a treatment used to treat cancer).
Generally, leaky gut syndrome is a condition that happens when anything causes damage to the intestinal lining, causing intestinal permeability. Moreover, environmental factors (such as stress and diet) may also contribute to intestinal injury.
How Does Leaky Gut Syndrome Affect My Body?
To understand better how this syndrome affects our bodies, we should remember that intestinal lining erosion and intestinal permeability are different things. Sometimes, people who have the following symptoms think they have leaky gut syndrome, but they are very similar to those of other gastrointestinal diseases. These include abdominal (belly) pain, food sensitivities, bloating, and indigestion.
Intestinal Lining Erosion
This problem usually appears when the intestinal lining is constantly injured, and it does not have enough time to recover. It may occur due to chemical irritants, abrasive particles, or certain bacteria inside the bowel. Usually, it happens in people with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and peptic ulcer disease. It is considered that the wrong type of bacteria negatively affects other bacteria that should balance them, which leads to damage to the intestinal lining. Furthermore, certain enzymes and erosive acids that normally should protect the gut lining may also contribute to erosion.
In addition, some people think that intestinal lining erosion does not cause other health problems besides the previous symptoms. However, it may also affect the digestion, immune system, and sensitivity to pain. That’s why you should visit a doctor if you have any gastrointestinal disease symptoms.
Intestinal Permeability
While some people have increased intestinal permeability, it is not possible to separate symptoms caused by this condition from the inflammation that happens before. Usually, the bacteria pass the intestinal barrier when the intestinal lining is more permeable. Moreover, some recent studies suggest that bacterial products may pass from the intestines to the liver and contribute to liver disease. Discuss it with your doctor for more details.
What Are The Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Generally, there are no specific symptoms directly linked with leaky gut syndrome, but increased intestinal permeability often causes symptoms very similar to those of other gastrointestinal disorders. Examples include:
- Diarrhea
- Bloating and gas caused by fermentation and overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines
- Reduced energy
- Gastrointestinal mucositis
- Painful indigestion that often happens due to a loss of intestinal mucosa
- A burning feeling of ulceration in the intestines
Do not hesitate to see a doctor if any of the symptoms listed above occur. Leaving this condition untreated may lead to serious complications.
Causes
Check below for the most direct causes of intestinal permeability:
- Food allergies
- Misuse of alcoholic drinks or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including Aspirin and Ibuprofen
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Other health conditions that may cause damage to the intestinal lining (such as HIV/AIDS)
- Chronic (long-term) inflammatory states (such as celiac disease or IBD)
Diagnosis
This condition can be difficult to diagnose because there are no standard tests that can confirm or exclude it. In any case, there are several tests that may look for intestinal permeability in patients. Examples include:
- Urine test – This test is often used to measure sugar levels in the urine, which helps determine whether it has passed through the intestinal wall.
- Blood tests – These tests are used to check for bacterial products in the blood. When they are present in the blood, it often indicates intestinal permeability.
- Tissue biopsy – During this procedure, doctors will take a small sample of the affected tissue for testing.
- Confocal endomicroscopy – This test allows physicians to check the intestinal lining in high resolution and magnification. Doctors may also inject a contrast fluid to determine if there is a gap in the lining.
Treatment
Nowadays, researchers continue to study this condition as well as possible treatments. While there is no treatment for this syndrome, doctors may recommend the following options to relieve the symptoms, prevent serious complications, and improve your quality of life. Check some examples below:
- Probiotics – There are some probiotics that are tested separately for their ability to restore the intestinal barrier. However, probiotics are designed to maintain the health of the intestinal lining and prevent overgrowth of the bacteria (especially in the small intestine).
- Prebiotics – These are food for the good bacteria in the intestines. For example, vegetables, fruits, and others.
- Limit or avoid dietary fats and sugars – It often helps improve the growth of good bacteria in the intestines and release harsh dietary emulsifiers that can cause inflammation.
- Nutrition – Physicians also recommend a balanced diet that contains all necessary macronutrients and micronutrients (including vitamins and minerals). Moreover, vitamin D and an amino acid known as L-glutamine may help repair the intestinal lining.
- Low FODMAP diet – It is a specific diet often recommended by doctors for people with IBS and who have certain food sensitivities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a leaky gut?
Generally, this is not a medical diagnosis, but it is usually characterized by chronic digestive problems (including gas, diarrhea, bloating, and others), prolonged fatigue, and skin rashes (including eczema, acne, and others).
What is the fastest way to cure leaky gut syndrome?
This condition can be cured only when it is caused by an underlying condition, and it is treated. When the cause cannot be identified, unfortunately, you may need treatment for a long time. For more details, discuss it with your physician.
What foods should be avoided by people with leaky gut syndrome?
Most of the time, doctors recommend avoiding the following foods if you have this syndrome. These include friend and fast foods, conventional dairy products, refined sugar, gluten-heavy grains, legumes with high anti-nutrients, processed vegetable oils, alcohol, and others. Ask your healthcare professional if you have additional questions.
