What Causes Leaky Gut? 8 Factors That Can Harm Your Digestive Health
In our last post we described what increased intestinal permeability or “leaky gut” is and what conditions and symptoms it can lead to. Today we will discuss what factors can cause or contribute to this increased permeability in the gut lining.
What causes leaky gut?
There are a number of factors that can disrupt the intestinal lining and potentially lead to increased permeability. Here are some of the most common:
Dysbiosis and SIBO (Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) - The gut microbiome refers to the microorganisms that live in your digestive tract, including bacteria, yeast, parasites, viruses, etc. There are estimated to be around 100 trillion of these microbes in your microbiome, most of which reside in the colon (large intestine). This collection of microorganisms has a major impact on your digestive health, immune system, and overall health in general. Some of these microbes are beneficial (think probiotic bacteria), some are more neutral, and some are pathogenic or harmful if they proliferate too much. There is supposed to be a proper balance of organisms, but if something happens to throw off that balance, harmful species may overgrow and start to cause problems. An imbalance in the microbiome is referred to as dysbiosis and can lead to a number of health issues, including increased intestinal permeability.
As mentioned before, most of the microbes that make up your microbiome should be located in the large intestine, with a smaller number in the small intestine. However, if these organisms start to overgrow in the small intestine, it can lead to a condition called SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Symptoms of SIBO may include gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and constipation or diarrhea, depending on what types of microorganisms are present.
Processed and refined foods – Many processed and refined foods commonly found in our modern diet include ingredients like sugar, refined flour, inflammatory vegetable/seed oils (such as soybean, corn, cottonseed, and canola oils), and food additives that have been shown to negatively affect the microbiome and contribute to leaky gut.
Gluten – Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition found in a small percentage of individuals where the immune system reacts to gluten, a combination of proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. This immune reaction causes damage to the intestinal lining. However, gluten can also be an issue for some people without celiac disease. This condition is referred to as non-celiac gluten sensitivity or non-celiac wheat sensitivity. Gluten has been shown to induce increased permeability in the intestinal lining due to its effect on zonulin, a protein that modulates intestinal permeability. For anyone who is dealing with chronic digestive or autoimmune issues, doing at least a 30-day trial of a gluten-free diet can be beneficial.
Medications – Antibiotic usage can cause a disruption in the gut microbiome, leading to dysbiosis and potentially leaky gut. However, there are other medications that can have a negative effect on the microbiome and the intestinal lining including NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.), aspirin, birth control pills, and reflux meds such as proton pump inhibitors. While medications can be necessary and helpful in some short-term situations, long-term use can often lead to more side effects, including damage to the gut.
Glyphosate - Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup and is the most widely used herbicide in agriculture. It has been shown to cause dysbiosis and leaky gut. Glyphosate is commonly sprayed on non-organic fruits and vegetables, grains like wheat and oats, and genetically modified (GMO) crops such as corn and soy.
Chronic stress – Chronic mental and emotional stress is a factor that can negatively affect the gut microbiome and cause increased intestinal permeability.
Environmental toxins – We already addressed the herbicide glyphosate but there are other environmental toxins that can cause damage to the gut. Other pesticides and herbicides in the food supply, chemical food additives, chemicals in tap water such as chlorine, mold toxins, and heavy metals can all lead to inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. Excess consumption of alcoholic beverages can also contribute to dysbiosis and leaky gut.
Chronic infections – Infections from bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites can alter the gut microbiota and cause increased permeability. This can include acute infections such as food poisoning or long-term chronic infections.
While this list isn’t exhaustive, it covers many of the main factors that can lead to the condition known as leaky gut syndrome. We have covered what leaky gut is and what causes it, in our next post we will discuss what we can do to treat and prevent increased intestinal permeability and the health consequences that come along with it.
If you are dealing with digestive issues or other chronic health problems, we would love to help! Get started with us by scheduling a free discovery call today.
Sources and References
https://draxe.com/nutrition/7-food-additives-that-trigger-leaky-gut/
https://chriskresser.com/still-think-gluten-sensitivity-isnt-real/
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