What is Leaky Gut?

What Health Conditions are Caused by Leaky Gut?

Leaky gut has been linked to several illnesses, of the digestive tract and systemically. Conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Rosacea, (and other inflammatory conditions), Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Alcoholic fatty liver disease, Liver cirrhosis, Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), Hormonal imbalance, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, Depression, Parkinson’s… the list goes on. (Source)(Source)

Has this condition been with us all along, sliding under the radar of medical professionals without being recognised? Is it the cause of the diseases listed above and many more?

Read about What is Leaky Gut Australia?

What parts of the Body Does Leaky Gut Affect?

Leaky gut/increased intestinal permeability is a condition that effects the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) lining. The GIT begins with the mouth and continues down the throat, oesophagus, through the stomach, small and large intestine, the rectum, and the anus.

Leaky Gut however is localised to the small and large intestine. Obvious symptoms that may be associated with Leaky Gut are generally seen in the digestive tract, where gas, bloating, and digestive disturbances are often the first symptoms.

The condition is as it sounds, which results in substances “leaking” out from the intestine (gut), but how does this happen?

The intestinal lining is a made up of a combination of cells called the epithelium. These cells are responsible for secreting substances, absorbing others, and inhibiting invading pathogens. They do this by opening and closing when required, allowing passage for some, and blocking out others. (Source)

This intelligent function of our cells can become compromised if they are exposed to the contents in our intestine. Sound unusual? Isn’t this where we absorb nutrients? Wouldn’t the food need to be in contact with the intestinal lining? 

Not quite.

What is a healthy, well-functioning gut like?

First, we need to understand what is happening in a healthy, well-functioning gut.

In a healthy intestine this cell lining is covered by a protective barrier, made up of different components that shield the intestinal lining from damage. The makeup of this protective barrier differs slightly between the small and large intestine.

A healthy small intestine is made up of 5 main components:

1. Outer loose mucus

A layer of mucus that is not attached to the intestinal wall. This layer is responsible for protecting the intestinal lining from invading pathogens and serves as a food source for the microbiota.

2. Secretory Immunoglobulin A (Secretory IgA)

This is also known as an antibody; its role is to protect the intestinal lining from toxins and invading pathogens. This immunoglobulin is often reduced in people with food sensitivities, poor diet, stress, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Coeliac disease, and Leaky gut. 

3. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP’s)

These are chains of amino acids produced by the epithelium. They protect the intestinal lining by defending against undesirable bacteria. 

4. Commensal bacteria (Microbiome)

The layer of the barrier that everyone would be familiar with. These are our beneficial bacteria, they serve an important role in food digestion, immune response, energy, mood regulation and so much more.

5. Epithelium/Intestinal lining

This is the intestinal lining or intestinal wall. Here substances are secreted to maintain the previous layers, nutrients are absorbed from digested foods. These are the cells that open to allow passage and are intended to close. While the large intestine is structured slightly differently, with 6 different components. Like the small intestine, the presence of surface mucus, Secretory IgA, AMP’s, and commensal bacteria all remain, with the addition of an inner mucus layer. Similar to the other layers, the inner mucus inhibits invading pathogens and microbes, acting as the last defence before the intestinal lining.

Unlike the loose surface mucus, inner mucus is attached to the lining/epithelium layer and is not intended to detach. (Source) Together this combination of layers and components maintain the integrity and function of the gut.