Leaky Gut Syndrome (Increased Gut Permeabilty)

Unless specifically investigated, Leaky Gut Syndrome often goes unrecognized, yet this is quite a common health problem. This condition has been associated with many serious diseases and can often lead to an inappropriate immune response, giving rise to an allergic reaction (see references 12). The Gastro Clinic’s approach to this condition has been featured in The Guardian newspaper (see references 13).

Leaky Gut Syndrome is often caused by exposure to substances, which damage the integrity of the gut lining of the small intestine. The most common causes of increased gut permeability are extensive use of antibiotics, which disrupt the gut flora (see references 14) by causing an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria and yeast; anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief - NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), which are said to increase intestinal permeability by damaging the villi in the intestine and blocking prostaglandins that stimulate tissue repair (see references 15); steroids, which are said to suppress the immune system, kill 'friendly' bacteria and cause the proliferation of yeast in the gut (see references 23), all of which contribute to inflammation and the development of a leaky gut; alcohol, which is an irritant to the gut lining; stress; infection by virus, bacteria or parasite.

Symptoms Associated with Increased Intestinal Permeability

• Allergies
• Chronic Fatigue
• Bloating
• Excessive flatulence
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Swollen lymph glands
• Insomnia
• Recurrent infections
• Poor immunity
• Poor exercise tolerance
• Poor memory
• Muscle cramps
• Malnutrition
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Gluten intolerance
• Fevers of unknown origin
• Sluggishness
• Recurrent skin rashes
• Difficulty learning
• Joint pain
• Depression
• Anal irritation
• Foggy brain
• Muscle pain
• Sluggish liver
• Multiple chemical sensitivities
• Abdominal spasms
• Diarrhoea

The small intestine is where food is digested. The lining of the small intestine is rather like a fine sieve, which allows only the breakdown products of digestion to pass through the gut wall and into the bloodstream and keeps undigested food molecules and toxins out. When an area becomes inflamed, the actual structure of the lining changes and gaps appear between the cells, allowing undigested food molecules and toxins to escape into the body. This puts the immune system on red alert and it produces antibodies to locate and attack what is perceived as an invader. This can initiate allergic reactions. Large amounts of this material can overwhelm the system and a cascade of inflammatory events may ensue that can trigger autoimmune disease.

Leaky Gut Syndrome overburdens the liver because it floods it with additional toxins. When it cannot cope with this high level of toxins, the liver expels them back into the bloodstream. The circulatory system then pushes the toxins into the connective tissues and muscles, where the body stores them to prevent major organ damage.

Conditions Associated with Leaky Gut Syndrome (Increased Intestinal Permeability) include:

• Coeliac disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Autism
• Psoriasis
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Anyklosing spondylitis
• Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
• Asthma
• Fibromyalgia
• Schizophrenia
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Alcoholism
• Arthritis
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
• Eczema
• Colon cancer
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Malnutrition
• Liver dysfunction
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Crohn's disease
• Dermatitis
• Allergies
• Candidiasis
• Hives
• Food allergies
• Accelerated Aging
• Acne
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Endotoxemia
• Chronic allergic rhinitis

Many patients, who we diagnose with increased gut permeability, have sensed for years that something is wrong yet were unable to find any answers to their worrying and uncomfortable condition. Patients presenting with symptoms, which suggest leaky gut, are tested (non-invasive) to ascertain the integrity of their gut wall and also to measure the extent of any increased permeability. Retesting can monitor how the patient is progressing and eventually demonstrate that the gut lining is back to normal.