Are You Suffering with Leaky Gut?
posted 30th June 2025
What is Leaky Gut?
The lining of our intestinal tract is composed of cells which sit side by side joined together by tight junctions. These tight junctions act as a barrier between the inside of the intestinal tract known as the lumen and the blood vessels within our body that surround the intestinal tract. When our intestinal lining is healthy, we absorb vital nutrients through the wall of our digestive tract into our bloodstream but keep harmful substances and larger molecules out. Think of the digestive lining as a defensive wall around the city of our body. It keeps out invaders but allows in essential supplies to feed the inhabitants of the city. Leaky gut occurs when there is a breach in this wall and the tight junctions between cells become compromised, allowing invaders and pathogens into our blood circulation.
What Causes Leaky Gut?
There are many different factors that can result in leaky gut:
- Gluten- Eating foods containing gluten can cause the gut cells to release a substance called zonulin. This is a protein that breaks apart tight junctions in the intestinal lining which can lead to leaky gut. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where this occurs in a severe way but many people also suffer from Non Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity and can also react to gluten.
- Dairy - The milk protein casein in dairy can also contribute to an immune reaction in certain individuals. In addition to this, a number of people can be genetically lactose intolerant. This is when they lack the enzyme to make lactase which digests the sugar lactose found in dairy. Inflammation can result in the corresponding poor digestion of dairy.
- Processed Foods and Inflammatory Fats - A diet high in processed foods and inflammatory fats can also result in leaky gut. The digestive tract struggles to digest these foods and the resulting inflammation affects the tight junctions.
- Infections - Certain bacteria, viruses, yeasts and parasites can result inflammation in the gut lining which leads to leaky gut.
- Dysbiosis - A healthy balanced gut microbiome helps maintain the mucin lining of our intestines. Imbalances in the gut microbiome can lead to degradation of this gut lining and consequent inflammation and leaky gut.
- Chronic Stress - Ongoing stress can deprive the digestive tract of blood and compromise the function of the gut lining. Stress also reduces digestive secretions like gastric acid which allows in more invading pathogens and reduces our ability to effectively digest our food. This can all contribute to leaky gut.
- Chemical Injury - Certain chemicals and medications such as alcohol, painkillers (especially aspirin), steroids or the oral contraceptive pill can all increase susceptibility to intestinal permeability and leaky gut.
- Age- As we get older our intestinal tract becomes less robust and our ability to make a plentiful supply of digestive enzymes decreases. This can lead to poor digestion of food, microbial overgrowth and subsequent inflammation and leaky gut.
What are the Symptoms of Leaky Gut?
Allowing undigested food particles and pathogens through the gut wall can trigger an immune response and chronic inflammation in our body. This can lead to many symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Indigestion and bloating
- Fatigue
- Allergies
- Mood swings
- Skin problems
- Joint pains
- Headaches
- Poor memory and brain fog
- Recurrent infections, low immunity or autoimmune conditions
How To Support a Leaky Gut?
Functional testing including a Gut Microbiome Test or Food Inflammation Test can identify markers relating to leaky gut, as well as dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and specific foods that can be contributing to overall inflammation. Working with a Nutritional Therapist to identify these root causes and introduce gut healing foods into the diet can make a huge difference to overall health outcomes.
If you suspect that leaky gut may be an issue and would like to book a free discovery call please contact Medicinal Eating or email Janine direct at info@medicinaleating.co.uk.*
