Leaky gut syndrome (or leaky gut syndrome) means that microscopic "holes" form in the small intestine through which unwanted substances, such as toxins, enter the body. At least that's what people who believe in this "disease" say. It turns out that such a disease does not exist in medicine. What are the purported causes and symptoms of leaky gut? What is the treatment? What should a leaky gut diet be like?

Leaky Gut Syndrome(akaLeaky Gut Syndrome ) means that there are gaps in the small intestine through which poisons can pass through other substances dangerous to the body - so say people who believe that such a "disease" exists. How is the small intestine supposed to leak? Initially, the mucosa of the small intestine becomes inflamed and irritated. As a consequence, it weakens and the gaps between the cells that compose it become larger and larger. Through these microscopic "holes" undesirable substances enter the body, incl. not fully digested protein fragments from food, toxins.

Leaky Gut Syndrome - Causes

Alleged causes of leaky gut syndrome could be:

  • chronic stress
  • improper diet (mainly alcohol, spicy spices, preservatives, gluten)
  • certain medications (e.g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, birth control pills, steroids)
  • acid deficiency in the stomach
  • bacterial (e.g. H. pylori), fungal and parasitic infections
  • hormonal imbalance
  • hypothyroidism
  • radiation and chemotherapy
Important

The existence of leaky gut syndrome is highly controversial. In conventional medicine, leaky gut syndrome is not considered a disease (it has not been included in the International Classification of Diseases and He alth Problems). However, it is of interest in the field of natural medicine.

Leaky Gut Syndrome - Symptoms

Digestive symptomsSkin symptomsnervous system symptomsOther
  • flatulence
  • constipation or diarrhea
  • painsbelly
  • nausea
  • food allergies
  • reflux
  • heartburn
  • rash
  • acne
  • eczema
  • eczema
  • dry skin
  • chronic fatigue
  • insomnia
  • memory and concentration disorders
  • mood changes
  • sinusitis, chronic runny nose
  • itchy and watery eyes, sometimes photophobia
  • weight gain or weight loss
  • fever
  • inflammation of the urinary tract

In addition, leaky gut syndrome can be accompanied by diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, colon diverticulosis, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis.

Important

Leaky Gut Syndrome - Effects

A leaky gut, even with a proper diet, leads to a disturbance in the absorption of nutrients, which results in the weakening of the body. In addition, leaky gut syndrome also reduces the production of digestive enzymes.

Leaky Gut Syndrome - diagnosis

Because leaky gut syndrome is not considered a disease and is not listed in the International Classification of Diseases and Related He alth Problems, there are no studies to detect it. However, people from the circles of believers in unconventional "treatment" often propose to perform thesugar absorption test (TAC) , which consists in introducing mannitol and lactulose into the gastrointestinal tract, then determining their concentrations in the portion of urine collected in within 5 hours and calculation of the intestinal permeability index (concentration ratio lactulose / mannitol). If your urine has low levels of mannitol and high levels of lactulose, this is supposed to mean that your intestinal permeability is normal. In the case of a leaky gut, both compounds are expected to be present in high concentrations. In turn, their small amount is to indicate malabsorption. However, there is no scientific evidence for this.

Leaky gut syndrome - treatment and diet

There is no cure for leaky gut syndrome. People who believe in the existence of this disease recommend the use of probiotics that help restore the balance of the intestinal flora.

In addition, an appropriate diet is necessary, from which you should eliminate products that may adversely affect the tightness of the intestinal barrier, such as sugar, affinates, alcohol and gluten. Some also recommend a dairy-free and egg-free diet.Leaky gut dietshould be rich in meat, fish,fruits, vegetables.

Category:

Gastrology