Leaky gut syndrome - when your gut is leaky

Veröffentlicht am: October 29, 2024
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann

General practitioner

Have you ever heard of leaky gut syndrome? The disease is just as unhealthy as the name "leaky gut" sounds. 

Briefly explained, leaky gut syndrome causes small holes to form in the intestinal wall. This increases the permeability of the intestinal mucosa and not only nutrients but also harmful substances such as bacteria and toxins enter the bloodstream. 

Read this guide to find out more about the disease, the symptoms and the natural treatment options available. 

Contents

What is leaky gut syndrome? 

Leaky gut syndrome refers to an unhealthy condition of the intestine in which the intestinal walls are permeable. In German, the condition is often referred to as leaky gut. 

When food enters a healthy gut, tiny, healthy nutrients, digested fats, proteins and starches are released into the bloodstream via the intestinal wall. These substances can pass through the intestinal wall in different ways. 

Chloride, potassium, magnesium, sodium and free fatty acids diffuse through the intestinal cells. Amino acids, fatty acids, glucose, minerals and vitamins pass through the cells by a mechanism called "active transport". 

The third and undesirable possibility, in which toxins, poisons and bacteria can enter the blood circulation, requires an irritated intestinal mucosa. The substances, some of which are toxic, can then enter the bloodstream unhindered through the spaces between the cells that line the intestine and which are normally closed (tight junctions). These foreign substances are not recognized by the immune system and are subsequently combated, triggering an antibody reaction.

What symptoms can occur with leaky gut syndrome? 

As the gut is the center of our health, different symptoms can occur that affect the whole body: 

  • Abdominal pain
  • Asthma
  • Chronic joint and muscle pain
  • Bloating
  • Digestive disorders
  • Mood swings
  • Nervousness
  • Frequent colds
  • Recurrent vaginal infections
  • Skin rashes and allergic reactions
  • Diarrhea, recurrent bladder infections
  • Constipation, flatulence
  • Irritability and tiredness

The diagnosis of leaky gut syndrome is made using a mannitol and latulose test. 

Both are water-soluble molecules that cannot be utilized by the body. People with a healthy intestinal lining can easily absorb mannitol, whereas lactulose is only absorbed to a very limited extent. To test for leaky gut syndrome, the person concerned drinks a solution containing the two molecules. The excreted urine is then collected for six hours. 

A healthy test shows high mannitol and low lactulose levels. If high levels of both molecules are found, this indicates a leaky gut. If low levels of both molecules are found, this indicates general malabsorption (poor absorption) of all nutrients.

What are the causes of leaky gut? 

Unfortunately, there is insufficient clarity about exactly how leaky gut is triggered. However, studies have shown that chronic diseases such as coeliac disease and type 1 diabetes can severely disrupt the gut microbiome. In addition, the use of some anti-inflammatory drugs over a long period of time has also been discredited as having negative effects on gut health. 

If the intestine is not healthy, tears or holes can form in the intestinal mucosa at the cellular level, allowing toxins and foreign bodies to easily enter the bloodstream. 

  • According to a 2020 study from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, leaky gut is most commonly found in people who are older, have chronic diseases or lead a stressful lifestyle. The same study also found evidence of the possible cause of leaky gut - a fault in the molecular mechanism that helps the gut lining to function properly. 

If this mechanism is under stress, it can lead to chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. These are then further triggers for intestinal damage and other health problems. The immune defense reaction can also lead to the body's own inflammation, which can manifest itself in a variety of the physical symptoms mentioned above. 

In addition, intestinal infections, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, excessive alcohol consumption and poor nutrition are considered possible triggers of leaky gut syndrome.

What signs can indicate leaky gut syndrome? 

1. digestive problems

A study published in the journal Intestinal Research in 2015 found a direct link between the intestinal barrier and the progression of irritable bowel disease. This means that flatulence, diarrhea, bloating or other digestive problems can be a sign of a leaky gut. 

2. hormone imbalance

The regulation of oestrogen levels is influenced by the intestinal microbiome. If this is not healthy as a result of leaky gut syndrome, the natural hormone balance cannot function properly and diseases such as endometriosis and PCOS can be the result. 

3. autoimmune diseases

It can happen that the body's natural immune defense is impaired. This results in autoimmune diseases in which the body fights itself. A combination of genetic and biological factors can cause this disturbance of the immune defense. According to several studies, the dysfunction of the intestinal mucosa can also be a trigger for this dysfunction and thus cause autoimmune diseases. 

4. chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia

Do you suffer from constant fatigue? Do you have unidentifiable muscle pain? 

Then these symptoms could also indicate a permeable gut. Both chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have been linked to an altered composition of gut microbes, probably as a result of damaged intestinal barriers. 

5. joint pain 

A 2014 study published in the journal FEBS Letters found that rheumatoid arthritis (when your joints are persistently swollen and painful) is associated with dysbiosis in the gut microbiome. 

6. problems with the skin

Less surprisingly, your gut is also linked to the appearance of your skin. Acne, rosacea and eczema can all be exacerbated by inflammation in the digestive tract, indicating a potential problem such as leaky gut.

What natural treatment helps with leaky gut syndrome? 

The key to treating a leaky gut is to change your diet and avoid foods that your body considers harmful. 

The following points can play an important role in restoring your intestinal mucosa and supporting it in general: 

  • Avoid stimulants such as sugar, caffeine, nicotine, sweeteners and alcohol. 
  • Try to avoid dairy products.
  • Eat a healthy diet! Above all, an alkaline or vital substance-rich, high-fiber diet can strengthen your body. 
  • Drink plenty of water! 
  • Try to reduce stress. 

There are some natural remedies that can support and rebuild a healthy intestinal mucosa. These include: 

  • Probiotics and prebiotics to restore healthy gastrointestinal bacteria
  • The amino acid L-glutamine to rejuvenate the lining of the intestinal wall
  • Bitter substances (bitter cucumber, turmeric) to improve digestion and support the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract
  • Antioxidants to protect the intestinal cells: OPC, astaxanthin, curcumin, glutathione, pomegranate extract
  • Intestinal cleansing capsules to eliminate harmful substances and improve nutrient absorption 

Conclusion: 

Leaky gut syndrome describes an increased permeability of various substances in which not only desired substances enter the bloodstream, but also toxins and other undesired substances. The triggered defense reaction of the immune system can lead to symptoms that can occur in different ways. Prebiotics, probiotics, bitter substances and antioxidants can be taken to promote intestinal health and support the development of healthy intestinal flora. 

In addition, more attention should be paid to a healthy diet.

 

Sources (in English): 

Lee S. H. (2015). Intestinal permeability regulation by tight junction: implication on inflammatory bowel diseases. Intestinal research, 13(1), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2015.13.1.11

Baker, J. M., Al-Nakkash, L., & Herbst-Kralovetz, M. M. (2017). Estrogen-gut microbiome axis: Physiological and clinical implications. Maturitas, 103, 45–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.06.025

Fasano A. (2012). Leaky gut and autoimmune diseases. Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology, 42(1), 71–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-011-8291-x

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