Leaky Gut Syndrome: Leaky Gut Syndrome

• Although unrecognized by some mainstream medical doctors, “leaky gut syndrome” refers to the bowel lining becoming irritated and leading to intestinal permeability.
• Undigested food particles, bacterial toxins and germs pass through the gut wall and into the bloodstream, triggering the immune system and causing persistent inflammation throughout the body. These issues may be related to food allergies, migraines, chronic fatigue, asthma, autoimmune disease, skin conditions and autism.
• Causal factors may include an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria in the bowel, a poor diet, chemotherapy and immuno-suppressant medicines and the overuse of antibiotics.
• Other causes could be diseases such as Crohn’s disease, infectious disease such as salmonella, celiac disease, kidney disease, type 1 diabetes and sepsis.

The inside of the bowel is lined by a single layer of cells that make up the mucosal barrier (the barrier between the inside of the gut and the rest of the body). This barrier is effective at absorbing nutrients, but prevents most large molecules and germs passing from inside the bowel into the bloodstream and potentially causing widespread symptoms. In some circumstances, this barrier can become less effective and “leaky.” — NHS.uk