Some medical professionals deny that leaky gut exists, while others claim it is the root of nearly every disease.
Leaky gut is somewhat of a medical mystery. Scientists are still trying to determine exactly what it is and what causes it. Some people think that gluten causes leaky gut, but the role of gluten in the condition is complicated.
This article examines the research about gluten and leaky gut syndrome.
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What Is Intestinal Permeability?
The digestive system performs several very important functions in your body.
The digestive tract is where food is broken down and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream.
The walls of the intestines also serve as an important barrier between the gut and the rest of the body.
The intestinal wall serves as a gatekeeper, determining which substances pass through to the bloodstream and organs.
Intestinal permeability is a term that describes how easily substances pass through the intestinal wall. Normally, there are tiny gaps between the cells in the small intestine called tight junctions.
If these are damaged or become too loose, it causes the gut to become “leaky,” allowing substances and organisms in the gut to leak into the bloodstream.
This phenomenon of increased intestinal permeability is also known as leaky gut syndrome. When bacteria and toxins are leaking into the bloodstream, it causes widespread inflammation in the body.
Increased intestinal permeability has been implicated in autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease and inflammatory skin disorders (2, 3, 4).
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Factors That Contribute to Leaky Gut Syndrome
Gluten may play a role in the development of leaky gut syndrome in those with celiac disease or IBS, but it is certainly not the only cause.
Medical professionals are still trying to understand exactly what causes leaky gut syndrome, but there are a few factors that are known to contribute to the condition.
Here are some of the contributing factors:
Unhealthy diet: A diet high in fat and refined carbs may increase intestinal permeability (22, 23, 24).
Stress: Prolonged stress can alter the gut-brain interaction and lead to all kinds of gastrointestinal issues, including increased intestinal permeability (25).
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Overuse of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, can increase intestinal permeability (26, 27).
Inflammation: Chronic widespread inflammation contributes to multiple chronic diseases, as well as increased intestinal permeability (28).
Poor gut flora: When the balance between the beneficial and harmful bacteria lining the gut is compromised, it can contribute to leaky gut syndrome (2, 24).
Zinc deficiency: A lack of zinc in the diet can alter intestinal permeability and contribute to multiple gastrointestinal problems (29).
Yeast: Yeast is naturally present in the intestinal tract. When the growth of yeast, mainly Candida, gets out of hand, it causes problems (30).
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Artigo completo em: https://authoritynutrition.com/gluten-leaky-gut/
