Intestinal Permeability references the integrity of the mucosal layer of the digestive tract that prevent bacteria, antigens, and undigested food proteins from seeping through the GI barrier and into the systemic circulation. Increased permeability can result in a chronically over reactive immune system in constant battle with toxins and allergens normally kept at bay.

The small intestine has the paradoxical dual function of being a digestive/ absorptive organ as well as a barrier to permeation of toxic compounds and macromolecules. Either one of these functions may be disrupted by various mechanisms, resulting in local as well as systemic problems. The distal intestine contains a number of dietary and bacterial products with toxic properties. Dysfunction of the immune or mechanical barriers leads to increased uptake of inflammatory macromolecules and pathogenic bacteria. If the intestine is not functioning properly, the amount of normally excluded substances that are absorbed through the mucosal lining increases dramatically. Intestinal inflammation promotes the uptake and systemic distribution of potentially harmful macromolecules. Increased intestinal permeability of the mucosal barrier, also known as leaky gut syndrome, appears to correlate with a number of disorders, while decreased permeability appears as a fundamental cause of malnutrition, malabsorbtion and failure to thrive.

Increased Intestinal Permeability or Leaky Gut Syndrome is seen in disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn´s disease, inflammatory joint disease, food allergy, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis,reiter´s syndrome, chronic dermatological conditions, schizophrenia, and allergic disorders. Medications, prescription, and over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may also lead to increased permeability; they are considered hard on the gastrointestinal lining.

Aspirin reduces the thickness of the mucosal lining in the gut, thus making it more susceptible to yeast, inflammation, and irritation by food passing through the gut. A diet high in sugar, refined flour and processed foods, complete with their rainbow of artificial food colorings, flavorings, and preservatives places a lot of stress on the immune system as well as the liver. Our bodies see most of the artificial chemicals as pure toxins. The more you consume, the more the body must process out. Most processed foods have less nutrition in them as well. So, you use more energy and nutrients processing these foods from your body and receive less energy from the food.

Zinc is necessary in maintaining intestinal wall integrity. Supplementing with zinc could contribute significantly to healing a leaky gut in about eight weeks . Zinc is also instrumental in a maintaining a healthy immune system . The synthesis of serotonin involves zinc. Since serotonin is also necessary for melatonin synthesis, a zinc deficiency may result in low levels of both of these compounds, causing problems with the sleep cycle, calming, and hyper activity.

 Leaky gut is a condition that can directly lead to many other specific disease states, or indirectly aggravate or worsen other conditions. You may have leaky gut and not be aware of it. Many food intolerances and sensitivities are a consequence of a leaky gut to some degree. You may just feel run down, out of energy, have many food and chemical intolerances, or a multitude of other seemingly unrelated problems. Symptoms of leaky gut syndrome may include aggression, anxiety, asthma, atypical sensory reactions, bed-wetting, bladder infections, bloating or gas, chronic joint, muscle, or abdominal pain, confusion, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, fevers of unknown origin, fuzzy thinking or brain fog, indigestion, memory problems, migraines, mood swings, nervousness, poor exercise tolerance, poor immunity, skin rashes, nutrient deficiencies.

Recommendations and treatments for increased intestinal permeability are take amino acid/protein glutamina, take gluten free diet,avoid dairy products in diet. The treatment includes a dietary regimen of nutritional buffers, amino acid chelates, minerals and vitamins. Other components may include antioxidants, free radical scavengers, beneficial organisms, and intestinal tract-soothing herbs.