Collagen & leaky gut syndrome

Leaky gut syndrome is a hypothetical condition that is not currently recognized as a medical diagnosis. It is based on the concept of increased intestinal permeability, which occurs in some gastrointestinal diseases.

What is leaky gut syndrome?

Leaky gut syndrome is a hypothetical condition. It is based on the concept of relative intestinal permeability.

Intestinal permeability

Everyone's intestines are semipermeable. The lining of our intestines is designed to absorb water and nutrients from food into our bloodstream. But some people have increased intestinal permeability or hyperpermeability. This means their intestines let more than water and nutrients through - they "leaky".

Studies have shown that people who have certain chronic gastrointestinal diseases have a leaky gut that lets in larger molecules - potentially toxic. Part of the job of your gut wall is to act as a barrier against bacteria and other infectious agents inside the gut. This barrier is an important agent in your immune system.

"Leaky Gut Syndrome"

Leaky gut syndrome is a theory that intestinal permeability is not just a symptom of gastrointestinal disease but an underlying cause that develops independently. If your gut barrier is impaired, it can let toxins into the blood. These toxins can trigger an inflammatory response that can manifest as various diseases.

We know that the condition of having increased intestinal permeability or a "leaky gut" is real, but we don't know if it is a disease in itself or if this causes other diseases. It is not currently a recognized medical diagnosis.

What disease is associated with leaky gut?

There are diseases known to be associated with intestinal permeability, and there is much speculation about other possible diseases that may be linked to it.

Known diseases linked to a leaky gut

Intestinal permeability is a recognized root cause of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases affecting the digestive system, including inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease. In these cases, researchers generally consider it a symptom, not a cause. These diseases cause chronic inflammation in the intestines, leading to gradual erosion of the intestinal barrier over time.

There have been cases where researchers found intestinal permeability in people before they were diagnosed with these diseases. This has led to some speculation that intestinal permeability may develop independently of these diseases, and may even be a contributing factor. But researchers concluded that intestinal permeability in these cases was not enough to cause the disease itself. It was more likely an early sign of disease.

Possible onset of disease caused by leaky gut

Many other diseases have been suggested as possible consequences of leaky gut syndrome. The idea is that "toxins" from your intestines can leak into the bloodstream and cause an inflammatory response. Chronic low-grade inflammation may actually be a factor in many of these diseases, including metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, and fibromyalgia. But the rest is still unclear.

Researchers have measured higher levels of gut bacteria substances in the blood of people with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases known to cause intestinal permeability. In these cases, inflammation arises primarily from other causes, although bacterial agents can make it worse. They have also measured it in liver disease, which is directly related to the gut. Bacteria that travel from the gut to the liver via the portal vein can contribute to liver disease, but are not necessarily the cause.

What affects intestinal permeability?

The known causes of intestinal permeability include systematic erosion of the intestinal wall. This is not a simple process. Your intestinal wall has many layers of defense. And while it can be damaged temporarily, it is designed to constantly repair and replenish itself. To actually wear it down enough to penetrate the wall requires a significant attack. It usually means a chronic illness, chronic drug or alcohol abuse, or radiation therapy.

The theory of leaky gut syndrome suggests that anything that damages the intestinal lining can lead to intestinal permeability if the damage is persistent enough. Therefore, common everyday factors such as diet and stress can cumulatively wear down the intestinal mucosa until it becomes permeable. Scientists aren't sure about this, but they agree that these everyday factors can cause inflammation of the gut lining and uncomfortable GI symptoms for you.

How does a leaky gut affect the body?

Erosion of the intestinal mucosa is one thing, and intestinal permeability is another. Most people who think they may have leaky gut have some common gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation, abdominal pain, IBS stomach, bloated stomach, food sensitivities, bloating, and indigestion. These types of symptoms are common and can have many possible explanations. You don't necessarily have to have leaky gut to experience these effects.

Erosion of the intestinal wall

If your gut wall is under constant attack, eventually it will not be able to fend off erosion caused by irritants, degrading particles or bacteria in the gut. This is what happens with peptic ulcers and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). The wrong kind of bacteria overwhelm the other bacteria that would normally balance them out. The degrading acids and enzymes in the gut overwhelm the protective mucus that normally neutralizes them.

Erosion (the breakdown) of the intestinal lining will affect your digestion, your immunity and your sensitivity to pain in the intestines. And in some cases, it can lead to intestinal permeability. But it doesn't have to go that far for you to feel bad. If you have gastrointestinal symptoms (constipation, loose stomach, gas, sluggish stomach, tense stomach, bloated stomach or other stomach problems) these are likely related to the underlying condition that would damage your gut wall in the first place. Many gastrointestinal diseases share the same symptoms.

Intestinal permeability

Some people have increased intestinal permeability, but it is difficult to distinguish symptoms of intestinal permeability from the inflammation that precedes it. When your gut wall is more permeable (permeable), bacteria living in the gut can cross the gut barrier, but we don't know today if this does significant damage that's different from the original disease or injury that caused it. Some studies suggest that bacterial substances that travel from the gut to the liver may contribute to liver disease.

What is the main cause of leaky gut?

If your gut barrier has been broken down, it has been under significant attack, probably for a long time. The most direct causes of intestinal permeability include:

• Chronic inflammatory conditions, such as IBD and celiac disease.
• Other diseases that cause intestinal damage, for example HIV/AIDS.
• Chemotherapy and radiation treatments that deteriorate the intestinal lining.
• Chronic overuse of alcohol or NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
• Food allergies that cause immune responses to certain foods.

What are the symptoms of a leaky gut?

There are no symptoms directly associated with intestinal permeability. But intestinal permeability usually arises from damage to the intestinal lining, and you may have symptoms because of this.

For example:

• A burning sensation of ulcers in the bowels.
• Painful indigestion due to damaged intestinal mucosa.
• Diarrhea
• Gassy and bloated stomach from fermentation of overgrown bacteria in the gut.
• Low energy due to the reduced ability to utilize energy from food.

What is the fastest way to heal leaky gut?

The only known cure for a leaky gut is to treat the underlying condition causing it. Specific treatments for IBD, celiac disease and other conditions associated with intestinal permeability have been shown to repair the intestinal lining in those affected.

How can I take care of my gut?

Researchers continue to investigate the benefits of different ways to improve the overall health and integrity of the gut wall. These ways may not be able to mitigate a pathological disease, but they can help mitigate the effects of everyday factors such as diet, stress and bacterial overgrowth that can affect the intestinal mucosa. They may even help relieve your general gastrointestinal symptoms (constipated stomach, IBS stomach, bloated stomach, loose stomach, bloated stomach, etc.).

These include:

• Prebiotics. Prebiotics are food for the good bacteria in your gut so they can help maintain the health of your gut wall by preventing the overgrowth of bad bacteria in your gut, especially the small intestine. Prebiotics are usually plant fibers such as inulin.
• Reduce fats and sugars in the diet. These encourage the growth of the wrong types of gut bacteria, and they trigger the release of substances that can inflame the gut.
• Nutrition. A balanced diet, complete with all the necessary macronutrients and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) can help strengthen your gut.
• Supplements: Vitamin D , collagen, and an amino acid called L-glutamine + prebiotics can specifically help repair your gut wall and thus heal a leaky gut.

Many people have vague gastrointestinal symptoms, and many times the causes are frustratingly elusive. It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether the symptoms or conditions are due to "leaky gut syndrome".

Most people simply have general intestinal inflammation - the first step to increased intestinal permeability. This may be due to a specific disease, or it may be a cumulative effect of poor diet, chronic stress, and other common factors. Try to reduce these factors. Test yourself and see what can help you!