Description

Many people say that they have a leaky gut. The term is often used in naturopathic practice, but like Candida overgrowth in the intestine, it is not an ‘alternative condition’. Damage to the intestinal wall of both the small and large intestine is an important clinical condition. The term should not be used as a diagnosis; it is a symptom, and it is important to determine the cause.

Together with immune cells, intestinal cells regulate the opening and closing of the channels located in the intestinal wall. The structures responsible for opening and closing these channels are called Tight Junctions. When the function of the Tight Junctions is reduced, fewer beneficial substances are absorbed while, at the same time, the passage of unwanted molecules increases. This is referred to as a leaky gut. Zonulin plays an important role in the functioning of the Tight Junctions. When the intestinal wall is damaged or irritated, zonulin is released into the intestinal contents and the level of zonulin can be measured in the stool. An increase in zonulin in the stool indicates increased permeability of the small intestine and therefore a leaky gut.