A leaky gut lining allows food particles, bacteria, and other harmful substances to enter the bloodstream, triggering ongoing immune system responses and chronic inflammation.
Discover common causes and risk factors of intestinal permeability and learn how to test for leaky gut at home.
What is leaky gut syndrome?
A leaky gut, also called intestinal permeability, refers to a loss of the protective function of the intestinal wall, which leads to an influx of unwanted and potentially harmful substances into the body.
The small intestine is equipped with a specialized lining known as intestinal mucosa. This protective intestinal barrier allows the absorption of nutrients and fluids while blocking bacteria, food particles, and toxins from entering the circulation.
A group of proteins known as tight junctions controls the permeability of the intestinal mucosa. These junctions maintain the integrity of the gut barrier and control what substances can pass between intestinal cells.
On a daily basis, the gut is exposed to a variety of potentially harmful compounds from foods, environmental toxins, and even natural byproducts of digestive processes.
A healthy gut lining and strong tight junctions help protect the body by keeping unwanted compounds out of the bloodstream.
In contrast, a leaky gut allows toxins and irritants to pass into the bloodstream, which triggers immune reactions and inflammation and places significant stress on the liver.
While not officially recognized as a medical diagnosis, increased intestinal permeability is a common problem and an often overlooked underlying cause for various health issues.
Watch the video below to discover seven common signs and symptoms of a leaky gut.
Signs of leaky gut
The gut plays a crucial role in overall health, and intestinal permeability can manifest in various ways, including poor digestive function, low energy production, and altered mood regulation.
Signs and symptoms associated with leaky gut include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating and gas
- Sluggish digestion
- Irregular bowel movements
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Brain fog
- Skin inflammation
- Food sensitivities
- Unexplained joint pain
- Muscle aches
- Nutritional deficiencies
In addition, research published in Behavioral Brain Research found that intestinal permeability can contribute to poor mental health, including depression and anxiety disorders.1
The authors highlight that an impaired gut lining can lead to bacterial translocation, which refers to the entry of gut bacteria and their byproducts into the bloodstream.
This can trigger central nervous system inflammation and interfere with chemical messengers responsible for mood regulation, cognitive functions, and overall mental well-being.
Furthermore, evidence published in Nutrients investigated leaky gut in relation to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and found, “The relationship between the gut and the brain in the etiology of autism is assumed to be increased gut permeability, which has been linked to ASD.”2
Causes and risk factors
The intestinal lining is responsible for regulating the influx of a variety of substances, including foods, microbes, and environmental toxins.
A diverse and balanced gut microbiome plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosa.
However, poor dietary habits, inflammatory health conditions, and stress can lead to an imbalanced gut microflora and negatively affect gut barrier function.
Imbalanced gut microbes, especially the overgrowth of potentially harmful bacterial species, can trigger gut irritation and inflammation, which disrupts tight junction proteins linked to intestinal permeability.
A study published in the Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology highlights that dietary and lifestyle choices directly influence the gut microbiome and therefore can trigger or worsen a leaky gut.3
Factors that contribute to microbial imbalance and interfere with gut barrier function include:
- Processed foods
- High-carbohydrate diets
- Refined seed oils
- Regular alcohol consumption
- Gluten-containing foods
- Chronic stress
- Lack of sleep
- Frequent antibiotic use
- Gut infections
In addition, individuals with autoimmune diseases that affect the digestive system, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, or celiac disease, are at increased risk of gut permeability.
“When the gut barrier is compromised, unwanted substances can enter the bloodstream, prompting persistent immune responses,” explains Dr Berg, “This heightened immune activity can contribute to inflammation and may trigger or worsen autoimmune diseases in susceptible individuals.”
Conventional tests for leaky gut
There are several ways to evaluate intestinal permeability by testing the movement of compounds of different sizes across the intestinal mucosa or by measuring indirect markers of tight junction integrity.
Two of the most commonly used tests include a lactose/mannitol urine test and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 urine test.
After ingesting a solution of either lactose and mannitol or PEG 400, a urine analysis shows how much of these substances appear in the urine. This helps determine gut permeability, as larger molecules usually pass through the intestinal lining more slowly than smaller ones.
A zonulin blood test measures the level of the tight junction protein zonulin. Elevated zonulin levels often indicate increased intestinal permeability, while levels within the normal range suggest that the gut lining is functioning correctly.
A stool sample analysis can provide insights into the gut microbiome, detect protein leakage due to increased permeability, and evaluate intestinal inflammation, which helps identify potential leaky gut triggers.
However, because leaky gut isn’t an officially recognized medical diagnosis, some healthcare providers may be unfamiliar with these tests and may not routinely assess intestinal permeability.
Holistic and functional health practitioners may be more likely to utilize these tests and can help you focus on improving gut health through targeted dietary and lifestyle changes.
Can you test for a leaky gut at home?
While there’s no definitive at-home test for leaky gut, several test kits are available that can help evaluate gut barrier function.
Both leaky gut stool analysis and urine test kits can be purchased online, in specialized pharmacies, or in health stores.
These tests involve either collecting a stool sample or drinking a solution containing specific sugars or molecules, followed by urine collection. The test kit sample is then sent to a laboratory, where it’s analyzed to assess gut permeability.
However, at-home gut tests may not be as accurate or reliable and often only measure one aspect of intestinal permeability, missing other vital biomarkers of overall gut function.
A study published in Gastroenterology and Hepatology highlights that the reliability of the commercial leaky gut test remains questionable due to poor standard assessment methodologies and a lack of rigorous scientific validation.4
Therefore, it’s crucial to interpret at-home test kit results with caution and always consult a medical provider to evaluate any health issues.
This is especially important if you have persistent digestive issues or underlying health conditions, such as liver disease or autoimmune diseases, that could affect your gut function.
When to talk to your doctor
If you have unexplained digestive problems, feel unusually tired, notice changes in your mood or mental health, or are worried about your gut function, it’s vital to talk to a healthcare provider.
A doctor will likely review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and may recommend a stool analysis or urine permeability test.
In more severe cases, particularly if an inflammatory or autoimmune condition is suspected, a tissue biopsy may also be considered to investigate the structural integrity of the gut wall.
Symptoms of leaky gut can also be linked to underlying gastrointestinal diseases, and it’s important to get a thorough health evaluation to identify potential root causes and guide effective treatment strategies.
Key takeaways
Can you test for a leaky gut at home?
There are several commercial at-home test kits to assess intestinal barrier function using stool or urine samples, which must be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
However, the reliability of these kits can vary, and interpreting the results often requires guidance from a healthcare professional to understand what the findings truly mean for your gut health.
FAQ
Can you test for a leaky gut at home?
Several commercial leaky gut tests are available that can help evaluate gut barrier function and intestinal permeability. However, it’s best to consult a medical professional to interpret the results and formulate a safe and effective strategy to support your gut health.
What are the signs of a leaky gut?
Common signs of a leaky gut include bloating, abdominal cramps, sluggish digestion, and irregular bowel movements. Brain fog, fatigue, food sensitivities, poor mental health, skin problems, and unexplained joint pain have also been associated with intestinal permeability.
Does a leaky gut cause a big belly?
While a leaky gut doesn’t directly cause belly fat, it can contribute to bloating and abdominal distention. This is typically linked to impaired digestive function and intestinal inflammation, which can trigger gut swelling and discomfort.
What causes a leaky gut?
A diet high in sugar, refined carbs, processed foods, and seed oils can disrupt the gut lining, increase inflammation, and alter the bacterial diversity, all of which can contribute to a leaky gut. Other factors include chronic stress, gastrointestinal conditions, regular alcohol consumption, and digestive tract infections.
