leaky gut_symptoms_and_signs

1. DrAxe.com
7 LEAKY GUT
SYMPTOMS AND
SIGNS

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7 LEAKY GUT SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
If you’ve been around the natural health world very long, you’ve probably
heard of a condition known as leaky gut syndrome. It sounds pretty
gross, but it’s an important enough problem to consider. There are
several leaky gut symptoms to be aware of, which is particularly
important since leaky gut is associated with dozens of related conditions
and diseases.
As more Americans are affected by poor diet choices, chronic stress,
toxic overload and bacterial imbalance, it appears that the prevalence
of leaky gut has reached epidemic proportions. The medical profession
is just now agreeing this condition may even exist, which is especially
shocking to me because “intestinal permeability” has been discussed in
the medical literature for over 100 years!
Should this concern you? Are you wondering if you may be experiencing
leaky gut? First of all, it’s very common for people on a Standard
American Diet to struggle with poor gut function. Second, I’ve outlined
here a brief description of leaky gut syndrome and some of the
symptoms commonly seen with this condition.
7 Leaky Gut Symptoms and Signs
Food Sensitivities
Because of the onslaught of toxins that enter the bloodstream, the
immune systems of people with intestinal hyperpermeability are
on overdrive mass-producing various antibodies, which may
make their bodies more susceptible to antigens in certain foods
(especially gluten and dairy). In studies involving rats and human
children, leaky gut and food allergies have been linked. This is one
of the most common leaky gut symptoms.

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Researchers from Hungary uncovered in 2012 that elevated gut
permeability is oftentimes localized to the colon in people suffering
from irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. As far back as
1988, scientists suggested that Crohn’s disease may be more of a
risk for people with leaky gut. A small study (observing 12 patients)
discovered that zinc supplementation may help resolve the tight
junction dysfunction in these cases, although more research is
required on a larger scale to confirm these results.
Autoimmune Disease
The key to understanding how leaky gut can cause an
autoimmune disease is through the research done on a protein
known as “zonulin.” According to a 2011 article published in the
journal Physiologic Reviews:
“Zonulin is the only physiological modulator of intercellular
tight junctions described so far that is involved in trafficking
of macromolecules and, therefore, in tolerance/immune
response balance. When the finely tuned zonulin pathway is
deregulated in genetically susceptible individuals, both
intestinal and extraintestinal autoimmune, inflammatory, and
neoplastic disorders can occur.”
Eating gluten may trigger this dangerous cascade. University
of Maryland School of Medicine researchers have uncovered
that gluten “activates zonulin signaling irrespective of the
genetic expression of autoimmunity, leading to increased
intestinal permeability to macromolecules.”
The good news is that, at least as far as leaky gut plays a role in
autoimmune conditions, it is reversible and could potentially
alleviate some of these problematic immune responses.

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Thyroid Problems
One of the autoimmune diseases that leaky gut syndrome may
directly affect is Hashimoto’s disease. Also known as “chronic
thyroiditis,” this disorder is displayed with hypothyroidism (low
thyroid function), impaired metabolism, fatigue, depression,
weight gain and a host of other concerns.
Nutrient Malabsorption
In my own patients, I’ve observed various nutritional deficiencies
resulting from leaky gut, including vitamin B12, magnesium and
digestive enzymes. Those common nutrient deficiencies are one
reason why many functional medicine practitioners prescribe a
whole-food multivitamin in addition to probiotics for people
suffering leaky gut problems.
Inflammatory Skin Conditions
First described over 70 years ago, the gut-skin connection theory
has described how intestinal hyperpermeability can cause a slew
of skin conditions, particularly acne and psoriasis. Creams and
drugs with endless lists of (sometimes dangerous) side effects are
often prescribed for these skin disorders, yet there has been
evidence for several decades that part of the root cause might
exist in the gut.
Mood Issues and Autism
According to a study published in the journal Neuroendocrinology
Letters, leaky gut has been shown to cause various neurocognitive
disorders. For example, the inflammatory response characteristic
of intestinal hyperpermeability triggers the release of pro-
inflammatory cytokines and other chemicals that are thought to
induce depression.

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A study was just published this past January in the journal
Nutritional Neuroscience describing the “vicious circle between
immune system impairment and increasing dysbiosis that leads
to leaky gut and neurochemical compounds and/or neurotoxic
xenobiotics production and absorption.” The authors go on to
describe findings from a number of studies that point to their
theory that autism may be connected to problems in the
gut microbiome, particularly within the first year of life. It is actually
a common hypothesis in modern science that leaky gut is strongly
related to autism.
This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe, and is for informational and educational purposes only. It
is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a
personal physician. Readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health
professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither the author nor publisher of this content takes
responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the
information in this educational content. All readers of this content, especially those taking prescription or
over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition or
supplement or lifestyle program.
Note: References for this content can be found at draxe.com.