Leaky gut syndrome is a condition also referred to as increased intestinal permeability where the “net” in your digestive tract gets damaged which allows proteins (like gluten), bad bacteria, and undigested particles to pass into your blood stream.
These particles cause systemic inflammation and an immune reaction over time.
The leaky gut disorder begins in a very important organ your small intestine. The small intestine is vitally important because the majority of the vitamins and minerals in the foods you eat are absorbed there.
In order for these nutrients to be absorbed, the small intestine contains very small openings so the nutrients can be transferred into the bloodstream. Once transferred, the nutrients are then shuttled and deposited all around the body by the blood.
The wall of the intestine is considered a semi-permeable. This means the pores (junctions) only allow certain things to enter the bloodstream and block other things from entering the bloodstream.
For instance, specific molecules and nutrients are allowed to pass through but toxins and large undigested food particles are blocked.
With leaky gut, your pores can continue to widen (like getting a larger hole torn in your net). And as this happens, the undigested foods particles that are supposed to be kept out pass through into your bloodstream and then circulate throughout the body. This causes systemic inflammation and leads to an immune reaction.
Often times then your body will begin to recognize certain foods as toxic and will facilitate an immune reaction whenever you eat the food. If this problem continues, leaky gut can then progress to autoimmune disease.
Some of the initial symptoms of leaky gut can include food allergies, skin issues like acne and eczema, digestive issues like bloating, gas and IBS.
In order to repair leaky gut you must make specific diet changes and look to leaky gut syndrome natural cures.