Ever wondered if your gut might be at the root of your symptoms? One day you are bloated, the next you are tired and foggy, and sometimes it can feel like your body is just not on your side.
If you have heard the term leaky gut and wondered what it actually means, and whether it might be behind your symptoms, let us walk through it clearly.
What Is Intestinal Permeability?
Your gut lining acts like a protective wall. Its job is to let the good stuff in, such as nutrients and water, while keeping unwanted particles like toxins, bacteria, and undigested food out.
When that barrier becomes more permeable than it should be, larger particles can slip through into the bloodstream. The immune system can then treat them as invaders, which may contribute to inflammation, irritation, and a wide range of symptoms. This is what people commonly refer to as leaky gut.
Why Does It Matter?
Intestinal permeability has been studied for many years and has been linked with a range of gastrointestinal and systemic conditions. Not everyone with these conditions has gut barrier dysfunction, but when it is present it can make symptoms more intense or harder to resolve.
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Skin and inflammatory conditions
- Some autoimmune and metabolic presentations
What Can Contribute to Leaky Gut?
- A low-fibre, highly processed diet
- Excess alcohol or sugar
- Food additives such as some emulsifiers
- Regular antibiotics, oral contraceptive pill use, or long-term NSAID use
- Chronic stress and poor sleep
- Heavy or intense exercise
- Low vitamin D levels
- Gut infections or illnesses
Common Symptoms
Symptoms can vary from person to person, but common signs include:
- Bloating, gas, diarrhoea, or constipation
- Food sensitivities
- Fatigue or brain fog
- Joint pain or inflammation
- Skin issues such as acne, eczema, or rashes
What Can You Do?
The good news is that the gut lining is resilient and can improve with the right support. Some of my favourite strategies include:
- Eat more whole plant foods: aim for variety, colour, fibre, and plenty of water.
- Reduce gut irritants: cut back on alcohol, ultra-processed foods, and unnecessary gut-disrupting medications where appropriate.
- Use targeted supplements carefully: nutrients and products such as glutamine, zinc, probiotics, or vitamin D may help, but should be tailored to the individual.
- Manage stress: your nervous system and gut are deeply connected.
- Recover well after exercise: hydration, fuelling, and sleep matter.
How Long Does Healing Take?
A healthy gut lining can begin repairing quite quickly, but meaningful improvement usually takes time. For many people, that means anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on health history, diet, stress, and underlying conditions.
Can You Test for Leaky Gut?
Yes. The Lactulose:Mannitol urine test is widely used to assess intestinal permeability and can give us clear, actionable information to guide your plan.
If you have been struggling with ongoing gut or whole-body symptoms and wondering whether leaky gut could be part of the picture, explore our Leaky Gut Testing and Consult Package or book a consult to discuss the right next step.
References
- Leech R, et al. Intestinal permeability in gastrointestinal and systemic disorders: Current evidence and clinical implications. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2019;6:26.
- Fasano A. Leaky gut and autoimmune diseases. Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology. 2012;42(1):71-78.
- Camilleri M. Leaky gut: Mechanisms, measurement, and clinical implications in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Neurogastroenterology and Motility. 2019;31(10):e13620.
- Bischoff SC, et al. Intestinal permeability: A new target for disease prevention and therapy. BMC Gastroenterology. 2014;14:189.
- Mu Q, Kirby J, Reilly CM, Luo XM. Leaky gut as a danger signal for autoimmune diseases. Frontiers in Immunology. 2017;8:598.
- Hollander D. Leaky gut in clinical practice. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2009;7(11):S12-S14.
Written by Naturopath Chae
