Symptoms of Leaky Gut

Leaky Gut

When the material of the body is not absorbed normally and finds its way into the circulation, this causes leaky gut syndrome. It consists of a range of problems that an individual develops. The signs and symptoms of leaky gut syndrome are listed below.

Symptoms of Leaky Gut

• Food sensitivities: People with leaky gut often mistake it for food sensitivities. In such people, their bodies are susceptive to antigens because their immune system overdrives mass production of antibodies due to the onslaught of toxins in the bloodstream.

• Inflammatory bowel disease: Recently, it has been revealed by researchers in Hungary that often in people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, elevated gut permeability is localized to the colon. According to another research study, in a majority of patients with Crohn’s disease, leaky gut is prevalent. Also, it was found that, in clinically healthy relatives, up to 10–20 percent may have leaky gut, which suggests a potential genetic component. In these cases, to help tighten the intestinal tight junctions, zinc supplementation has been found to be very effective. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are caused by increased intestinal permeability. If a person has leaky gut, the intestinal lining is comparatively more porous. This causes toxins and undigested food particles to enter into the blood and thus cause skin disorders, chronic upset stomach, fatigue, food allergies, and unexplained neurological problems.

• Autoimmune disease: According to an article published in 2011 in the journal called Physiologic Reviews, by doing research on a protein known as zonulin, one can understand how leaky gut is caused. The only physiological modulator of intercellular tight junctions is zonulin, which is involved in the trafficking of macromolecules and thus balance in the immune response. In genetically susceptible individuals, when the finely tuned zonulin pathway is deregulated, it can cause intestinal and extra-intestinal autoimmune inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. This dangerous cascade can often times be triggered by eating gluten. Irrespective of the genetic expression of autoimmunity, gluten can activate zonulin signaling, according to the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Thus, the intestinal permeability to macromolecules may be increased.

• Thyroid problems: Leaky gut syndrome may directly affect autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s disease. This disorder is also known as chronic thyroiditis, and it can cause fatigue, weight gain, depression, impaired metabolism, hypothyroidism, and other concerns.

• Malabsorption: Leaky gut syndrome can cause various nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B12 and magnesium. It can also cause a deficiency in a key enzyme that helps in food digestion. Hence, such people are recommended to take a whole food-based multivitamin. Also, probiotic living is recommended that not only will help them digest food, but will also make sure that all vital nutrients are received by the body. 

• Inflammatory skin conditions: The gut-skin connection theory that was developed over 70 years ago has described how a slew of skin conditions, such as psoriasis and acne, can be caused by intestinal hyper-permeability. For these skin disorders, usually, dangerous creams and drugs are prescribed. However, these issues can be fixed by healing the gut.

• Mood issues and autism: According to a study published in the journal Neuro Endocrinology Letters, various neurocognitive disorders can be caused by leaky gut. For example, release of pro-inflammatory cytokine and other chemicals that induce depression can be triggered by intestinal hyper permeability. In a recent study published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience, a vicious cycle was described between impairment of the immune system and increased dysbiosis. This causes leaky gut, and there is also an increased production and absorption of neurochemical compounds and/or xenobiotics that are neurotoxic. Thus, in autistic children, the genetic alterations, or the environment, xenobiotic interference can cause impairment of metabolic pathways. 

• Fatigue: Your gut is forced to fight against harmful toxins when foreign particles infiltrate the intestinal barrier. The gut and the immune system fight off their defenses, and this can cause inflammation. The body may get tired in the process of protecting from foreign bodies and, hence, the immune system may slow down, and this may cause other issues as well. The more toxic substances enter the bloodstream, the more the immune system has to defend and the more tired the body becomes. In leaky gut, the body is not able to correctly absorb nutrients and vitamins required for consistent energy levels. Hence, the chemistry of the body is thrown off. Although during or after busy days and in situations of high stress it is quite normal to feel fatigued, on a day-to-day basis, it is not normal. One of the symptoms of leaky gut is fatigue and a lack of energy.

• Joint pain: The immune system is triggered by the leaky gut since it has to block foreign materials from invading the bloodstream. This causes inflammation since inflammation can be increased by leaky gut. If you are predisposed to inflammation in your joints, then the joint pain can generally increase and worsen.

• Rashes: Your immune system and your gut are directly linked to each other, and they are responsible for getting rid of many things from the body that can make you sick or feel pain. The largest eliminative organ in your body is the skin, hence, when the toxins make their way into the bloodstream, the skin is also affected. Any persistent issues, such as a rash, can be a sign that the skin is trying to get rid of these harmful materials. But the unsightly side effects of leaky gut are exposed on the skin. So, a sign of a leaky gut can be dry, flakey, rosy, or bumpy areas.

• Seasonal allergies and asthma: The immune system can be weakened by leaky gut, thus causing sensitivity to dust, hay fever, pollen, and other substances. If you are congested throughout the early spring, it could be because of leaky gut. Seasonal allergies caused by leaky gut are very rare, but they could be a sign of serious stomach issues if this symptom is combined with others.

• Headache: The tissues can become inflamed and release toxins, and this in turn can cause brain fog, headache, or memory loss.

• Weight gain: An important, preventable risk factor in obesity prevention is low-grade inflammation caused by intestinal permeability. Also, increased insulin resistance can be caused by leaky gut. Due to a poor insulin response, the cells may not be able to take up sugar. This can cause fat deposition, particularly in the liver. When there is an imbalance in the gut flora, insulin resistance can be heightened. When there is inflammation, the number of good bacteria in the gut decreases. Poor carbohydrate metabolism can be caused by a disruption of the microbiome along with leaky gut. This causes weight gain.

• Digestive issues: Digestive issues can be caused by leaky gut. People with leaky gut over an extended period of time experience bloating, gas, or diarrhea. The digestive system has to work with unbalanced levels that it is not used to dealing with, hence, the absorption does not happen in the way it was naturally intended to.

• Hormonal imbalance and conditions: A number of hormonal imbalances and conditions are caused by leaky gut syndrome. The body can over produce or under produce certain hormones since leaky gut actively changes the chemical makeup of our system. In high hormone situations, this is more commonly observed.

• Altered mood: Sharp changes in mood and mind can be observed in leaky gut syndrome. These changes include attention issues, depression, and anxiety. These conditions might be exacerbated by fatigue and a lack of energy, and if they both continue together, the condition may become worse.

• Candida fungus growth: This fungus can grow due to leaky gut. This comes from eating a diet that consists of sugars and refined carbs. Typically, the Candida are kept at bay by the bacteria present in the stomach and gut. However, commonly, a fungus that is a form of yeast is usually present in people that develop Candida growth. This continues to live and prosper in the mouth and intestines and can cause many issues, such as toenail fungus and skin infections that are at times painful.