iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll citlhscnot static, and their proximity to one another (“tightness”) can be af-
fected by various factors.
What Exactly Is Leaky Gut?
Leaky gut is an abnormally increased permeability of the small intestine.
In leaky gut syndrome, the intestinal tight junctions become looser, al-
lowing substances that normally would not gain systemic access to get
into the circulation.
Once substances like food, bacteria, and self-antigens get past the intestinal
barrier into the circulation, the immune system recognizes them as foreign
substances, which leads to inflammation in the body and gut, further in-
creasing permeability and triggering food sensitivities and autoimmunity.
What Causes Leaky Gut?
Dr. Fasano has identified that in the presence of leaky gut, we secrete ex-
cess zonulin, a protein that modulates the permeability between the tight
junctions. An excess of this protein has been found in every autoimmune
condition, including Hashimoto’s!
A variety of factors has been implicated in causing an excess release of
this protein, including gliadin (gluten); food intolerances; psychological
stress; unsaturated fats; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
like Advil™ and Aleve™; alcohol; pathogenic bacteria; intestinal parasites;
and an overgrowth of bacteria from the large intestine (colon) into the
small intestine, known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (or SIBO).
The increased permeability is thought to be a defensive mechanism for
clearing bacteria and toxins from the small intestine.
Intestinal permeability may also increase in response to various foods and
supplements as well as surgery, trauma, and inflammation.
AGES (advanced glycosylation end products) generated from high-tem-
perature cooking of fatty foods may also promote inflammation and can
potentially increase intestinal permeability.