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Alternative Names: Intestinal Hyper-Permeability; Increased Intestinal Permeability.
Leaky gut - or leaky gut syndrome (LGS) - is a poorly recognized but very common problem, which is rarely tested for. This condition results from an overly-permeable intestinal lining with spaces between the cells of the gut wall. These spaces allow "foreign" material (bacteria, toxins and food) to leak into your body where they should not be, placing an additional burden on the immune and detoxification systems.
The barrier maintained by a healthy intestinal mucosa is an incomplete one to begin with. Small numbers of molecules of different sizes and characteristics do cross the intact epithelium by both active and passive mechanisms. Generally, the larger the molecule, the less likely it is to be allowed across. Once the gut lining becomes inflamed or damaged, it becomes more difficult to keep foreign, larger particles out. As the spaces between cells open up, larger particles are allowed to be absorbed into the body.
Normally the body sees only tiny food antigens and limited amounts of bacteria. When it sees these new, larger ones, it considers them foreign invaders. Antibodies are then produced against once harmless foods and your immune system becomes increasingly occupied with chores it should not have to be performing. Your health becomes more difficult to maintain as increasing numbers of foods must be avoided for you to feel well.
Even though the gut is becoming leakier, vitamin and mineral absorption becomes reduced - not increased, as you might expect - because some carrier mechanisms of absorption become damaged as part of the process. Many nutrients have to be carried across the barrier and will not otherwise be absorbed.
The junctions between cells not only need to be 'tight' but the surface area of the small intestine must be large for normal nutrient processing to occur. Continued irritation and inflammation of the gut lining causes an even greater malabsorption by reducing the overall surface area of the lining. Even when consuming the healthiest of diets, inadequate nutrient absorption may compound the problem of having to deal with all these new foreign invaders.
Causes & Development
Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) occurs when the wall of the GI tract is damaged. A healthy intestinal wall allows only nutrients to pass into the bloodstream; when it is damaged, larger molecules--such as incompletely digested fats, proteins and toxins slip through, as well. Your body, recognizes these substances as foreign and forms antibodies to them, which is why you suddenly become allergic to foods you've always eaten without a problem. LGS also causes "environmental allergies", causing the individual to responds to various inhalants from the environment. Furthermore, one can form antibodies to proteins similar or same as human proteins, and then your immune system starts to attack parts of the body. This is how autoimmune diseases, like MS or arthritis "work". Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals are common with persons with LGS because, they lack cells to move minerals and vitamins from the gut to the blood.
Candida albicans is a major cause. If you have Candida overgrowth in GI tract you also have Leaky Gut Syndrome. Candida overgrowth causes LGS : when Candida changes from yeast to fungal form it forms rhizoids, a root like structure, that breaks the intestinal walls. Even when you get Candida in balance and heal the gut, your food allergies will remain for a while because you will still have the antibodies to that food.
Stress. The intestinal lining replaces itself, on the average, every 14 hours. To replace intestinal walls you need blood and the first organ to lose blood during stressful situations is intestinal tract. If you experience a lot of stress, your intestinal lining will not regenerate and LGS becomes likely.
Antibiotics and steroids decrease number of friendly bacteria, allowing Candida to proliferate, which causes LGS.
Hormonal imbalance allows Candida to proliferate, a primary cause of LGS.
Alcohol and caffeine decrease number of friendly bacteria, and again allow Candida to proliferate.
Parasites or bacteria such as Giardia or H. Pylori.
Food allergies aggravate LGS.
Enzyme deficiencies e.g. celiac disease, lactase deficiency causing lactose intolerance.
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, etc. interfere with mucus production.
Chemicals in fermented or processed food.
Complications
If the gut is not healthy, the rest of the body cannot be either. LGS makes it increasingly difficult to maintain a sense of wellness. Chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia and escalating food allergies are among the many manifestations of a leaky gut.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut:
Conditions that suggest Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut:
Risk factors for Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut:
Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut suggests the following may be present:
Recommendations and treatments for Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut: | | | | | Amino Acid / Protein |  Glutamine |
Diet |
 Gluten-free Diet | Removal of wheat and dairy products from the diet will produce temporary relief of some of the symptoms of increased intestinal permeability. Patients suffering from this condition as well as reduced amounts of normal gut flora have high levels of antibodies to gliadin and casein. |
Dairy Products Avoidance| | See the link between Intestinal Permeability and a Gluten-free diet. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link |  | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Allergy (Allergies)
Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences.
Antibody (Antibodies)
A type of serum protein (globulin) synthesized by white blood cells of the lymphoid type in response to an antigenic (foreign substance) stimulus. Antibodies are complex substances formed to neutralize or destroy these antigens in the blood. Antibody activity normally fights infection but can be damaging in allergies and a group of diseases that are called autoimmune diseases.
Antigen (Antigenic, Antigens)
A substance, usually protein or protein-sugar complex in nature, which, being foreign to the bloodstream or tissues of an animal, stimulates the formation of specific blood serum antibodies and white blood cell activity. Re-exposure to similar antigen will reactivate the white blood cells and antibody programmed against this specific antigen.
Anti-inflammatory (Antiinflammatory)
Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin.
Arthritis (Arthritic)
Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness, and resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other causes. It occurs in various forms, such as bacterial arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, is characterized by a gradual loss of cartilage and often an overgrowth of bone at the joints.
Ascaris lumbricoides (Ascariasis, Intestinal Roundworm)
The adult A lumbricoides is a large, cream-colored worm. Adult males are 6-12 inches (15-30cm) in length, and adult females are 8-14 inches (20-35cm) in length. Signs include passage of adult worm(s) from mouth or anus; wheezing (early infection); mild abdominal tenderness (established infection). Uncommon in the US (approximately 1.5% of people are infected, mainly in the rural southeast), it affects more than 25% of the population of Third World nations.
Autoimmune Disease (Autoimmune, Autoimmunity)
One of a large group of diseases in which the immune system turns against the body's own cells, tissues and organs, leading to chronic and often deadly conditions. Examples include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, Bright's disease and diabetes.
Bacteria (Bacterial, Bacterium)
Microscopic germs. Some bacteria are "harmful" and can cause disease, while other "friendly" bacteria protect the body from harmful invading organisms.
Candidiasis (Candida)
Infection of the skin or mucous membrane with any species of candida, usually Candida albicans. The infection is usually localized to the skin, nails, mouth, vagina, bronchi, or lungs, but may invade the bloodstream. It is a common inhabitant of the GI tract, only becoming a problem when it multiplies excessively and invades local tissues. Growth is encouraged by a weakened immune system, as in AIDS, or with the prolonged administration of antibiotics. Vaginal symptoms include itching in the genital area, pain when urinating, and a thick odorless vaginal discharge. Candidiasis is also known as: Candida; Candida albicans; Candida Related Complex; Chronic Candida Syndrome; (Chronic) Systemic Candidiasis; Monilia; Candidiasis Hypersensitivity Syndrome; Candidosis; (Chronic) Mucocutaneous Candidosis; Thrush (oral or vaginal); Moniliasis; Polysystematic Candidiasis.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Sensitivity)
A digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten. Common symptoms include diarrhea, increased appetite, bloating, weight loss, irritability and fatigue. Gluten is found in wheat (including spelt, triticale, and kamut), rye, barley and sometimes oats.
Enzymes (Enzyme)
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Fibromyalgia (FMS)
Originally named fibrositis, it is a mysteriously debilitating syndrome that attacks women more often than men. It is not physically damaging to the body in any way, but is characterized by the constant presence of widespread pain that often moves about the body. Fibromyalgia can be so severe that it is often incapacitating.
Gastrointestinal (GI, GI Tract)
Pertaining to the stomach, small and large intestines, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Giardiasis (Giardia)
An intestinal tract infection caused by Giardia lamblia, a flagellate protozoa now common to much of the world. It is not normally a very serious infection, but nevertheless unpleasant.
Helicobacter Pylori (Pylori)
H. pylori is a bacterium that is found in the stomach which, along with acid secretion, damages stomach and duodenal tissue, causing inflammation and peptic ulcers. Although most people will never have symptoms or problems related to the infection, they may include: dull, 'gnawing' pain which may occur 2-3 hours after a meal, come and go for several days or weeks, occur in the middle of the night when the stomach is empty and be relieved by eating; loss of weight; loss of appetite; bloating; burping; nausea; vomiting.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Lactase
An enzyme that aids the body in converting lactose to glucose and galactose. It is also necessary for digestion of milk and milk products.
Lactose Intolerance (Lactose Intolerant)
A condition caused by a lack of an enzyme called lactase, which, in turn, causes the body to be unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk products. Common symptoms, which begin about 30 minutes to two hours after consuming foods or beverages containing lactose, may include: nausea, cramps, bloating, gas and/or diarrhea. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of lactose consumed and the amount that an individual can tolerate.
Malabsorption
Improper utilization of needed and available nutrients, either from impaired digestive function (such as B12 being unabsorbed because of gastritis), impaired absorption (poor Vitamin E absorption because of an inflamed ileum) or impaired transport (the diminished blood proteins of the advanced alcoholic). There are other causes as well.
Mineral (Minerals)
Plays a vital role in regulating many body functions. They act as catalysts in nerve response, muscle contraction and the metabolism of nutrients in foods. They regulate electrolyte balance and hormonal production, and they strengthen skeletal structures.
Mucous Membranes (Mucosa, Mucous Membrane, Mucus Membranes)
The membranes, such as the mouth, nose, anus, and vagina, that line the cavities and canals of the body which communicate with the air.
Mucus (Mucous)
The viscous, slippery substance that consists chiefly of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and is secreted as a protective lubricant coating by cells and glands of the mucous membranes.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, causing patches of sclerosis (plaques) in the brain and spinal cord, manifested by loss of normal neurological functions, e.g. muscle weakness, loss of vision, and mood alterations.
NSAID (NSAIDs)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Parasite (Parasites, Parasitic, Parasitical)
An organism living in or on another organism.
Protein (Proteins)
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.
Small Intestine (Small Bowel)
The small intestine lies between the stomach and the large intestine. It is about 6 meters (20 feet) long and its primary function is to digest (break down) food and absorb nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats). The small intestine makes up more than 70% of the length and 90% of the surface area of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Steroid (Steroids)
Any of a large number of hormonal substances with a similar basic chemical structure containing a 17-carbon 14-ring system and including the sterols and various hormones and glycosides.
Syndrome
A medical condition characterized by a collection of related symptoms (what the patient feels) and signs (what a doctor can observe or measure).
Yeast
A single-cell organism that may cause infection in the mouth, vagina, gastrointestinal tract, and any or all bodily parts. Common yeast infections include candidiasis and thrush.
Last updated: May 11, 2008
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