What is a Leaky Gut?
The human body has an extensive intestinal lining inside our stomach that covers a large surface area (Campos, 2023). This intestinal barrier forms two complex layers: an apical and basolateral barrier. These two barriers permit the maintenance and balance of intestinal homeostasis (Bischoff et al., 2014). When these barriers work correctly, they form a compressed barrier that controls what gets absorbed into the bloodstream (Campos, 2023). However, the unhealthy gut lining that has been compromised over many years due to environmental contaminants, chronic disease, high processed food consumption, regular drug and medication use, or alcohol abuse can help develop significant gaps (junctions) or holes in the stomach lining that can lead to exposure to harmful substances (Ohland & MacNaughton, 2010). These gaps (junctions) or holes (called desmosomes) in the stomach lining can permit partially digested food, toxins, and bugs to penetrate the tissues beneath them and leak into the bloodstream. Therefore, it triggers an immune system response because it detects unwanted substances as foreign (because they usually do not exist in the blood), triggering an antibody response and causing systemic inflammation (Campos, 2023) (Bischoff et al., 2014a). This can lead to a lack of intestinal integrity, creating a domino effect, triggering potential disease or inflammation (Fukui, 2016) and causing leaky gut syndrome (intestinal hyperpermeability or intestinal permeability).
Although Leaky Gut Syndrome is not an official medical diagnosis and is typically considered to be a digestive health issue, it is connected to many other illnesses and health conditions, such as acne, asthma, chronic fatigue, diarrhea, fibromyalgia, headaches, memory problems, mood swings, obesity, and Type 1 diabetes (Camilleri, 2019). It is a launching pad for nearly one hundred different autoimmune diseases (Fasano, 2011). An autoimmune disease transpires when the immune system makes autoantibodies against self-antigens, causing an attack on its body tissue (Paray et al., 2020).
What is the Lymphatic System (GALT)?
The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is one of three central lines of the defensive barrier of the GI tract. The GALT is the immune barrier, composed of many multimolecular structures, including the tonsils, appendix, colonic and cecal patches, several small, single follicular structures, and isolated lymphoid follicles (Assimakopoulos et al., 2018) (Donaldson et al., 2015). The GALT helps protect against external elements that penetrate the luminal mechanical barrier. This barrier separates the luminal gut contact and mucosal microbiota from the inner body (Donaldson et al., 2015). Lymphoid tissue commonly linked with the gut and the neuroendocrine system joins forces with the intestinal epithelial wall, with its paracellular tight junctions, to maintain equilibrium and resistance to foreign/neo-antigens. It protects our intestines from invading pathogens (Paray et al., 2020).
The Interplay Between Lymphatic Health and Leaky Gut
When GALT is compromised, the intestinal lining is damaged, allowing larger particles and substances, such as bacteria, undigested food, and toxins, to pass through the compromised, damaged cells and enter the bloodstream. This triggers the immune system by releasing antibodies called cytokines, which are small proteins key to controlling the development and activity of other immune systems and white blood cells to fight these particles. This can lead to irritation and inflammation throughout the body due to the production of oxidants from this immune response. These substances in the lumen enter the bloodstream, activating the immune response and creating a leaky gut or intestinal permeability (Mu et al., 2017).
Why is it Important to Support Lymphatic Health if you Have a Leaky Gut?
The cells of the lymphatic system play an essential role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. The epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal mucosa acts as a barrier against the gut luminal content, thereby preventing the passage of elements that can cause harm (Fasano, 2001). Maintaining a healthy lymphatic system by living a healthier lifestyle, consuming a nutritious diet, reducing unhealthy substances and natural medicine can help reduce or prevent possibly pathogenic bacteria, foreign microbes, gluten, and food antigens from entering the bloodstream (Fasano & Shea-Donohue, 2005). This suggests that a healthy GALT absorbs nutrients, removes waste, and averts infections (Greene-Hartsfield, 2020). Therefore, maintaining a healthier GALT could eradicate the development of a leaky gut.
Steps to Support Gut Health that Aid Leak Gut while Supporting Lymphatic Health.
Research on treating a leaky gut (intestinal permeability) suggests avoiding particular foods with excessive amounts of sugar while reducing bad fats from your diet. Many studies have shown that fructose, glucose, and sucrose are connected with increased intestinal permeability and dysfunction (Binienda et al., 2020). Studies also show that consuming more FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) foods in your diet has been shown to aid in maintaining good gut health. Moreover, eating a diet of more prebiotics, probiotics, and fibre foods has demonstrated significant benefits for your gut health. Supplementing with
l-glutamine, short-chain fatty acids, quercetin, and berberine is also beneficial (Bischoff et al., 2014b) (Aleman et al., 2023). Diet can also play a dominant role in the arrangement of the intestinal microbiota, considering that dietary components can seriously change gastrointestinal functions, compromising the intestinal barrier’s integrity (Brown et al., 2012).
Supplements That Help Treat Leaky Gut and GALT
Probiotics
Probiotics are capable microorganisms that have physiological benefits. Probiotics are found in foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kamichi, to name a few, and also come in a supplement form. Probiotics are the main effects of maintaining homeostasis and intestinal integrity. Probiotics also help regulate and modulate intestinal permeability, affecting the mucus, epithelium and microbiota (Aleman et al., 2023).
Product Recommendation: Natural Factors Ultimate Multi Probiotic 12 Billion.
Natural Factors Ultimate Multi Probiotic is a one-a-day, 12-strain formula with 12 billion live probiotic cultures alongside prebiotics for long-lasting gut health support.
The amino acid L-Glutamine
Dietary glutamine has a crucial purpose in absorption, secretion, and digestion, and amino acids like l-glutamine help to nourish gut health as a barrier to the permeability of pathogens, allergens, and toxins into the epithelium. L-glutamine can regulate the expression of tight junction proteins, allowing the intestinal membrane of intestinal cells to remain impermeable. Studies have suggested that adding l-glutamine to your diet can improve fibrosis and intestinal inflammation (Kretzmann et al., 2008) (Balasubramanian et al., 2009).
Product Recommendation: Natural Factors Micronized L-Glutamine Unflavoured 300g
Natural Factors Micronized L-Glutamine provides a more accessible form of glutamine for the body to absorb.
Fibers and Short-Chain Fatty Acids
Among carbohydrates, dietary fibres are suitable for anti-inflammation properties and intestinal barrier regulation. Therefore, the microbiota ferments dietary fibre and produces short-chain fatty acids, including butyrate, propionate, and acetate (Van Immerseel et al., 2010). In particular, the beneficial species of Bifidobacterium bacteria and Lactobacilli are related to making these short-chain fatty acids and the inhibitory effects on the growth of harmful bacteria (Aleman et al., 2023).
Product Recommendation: Healthology Gut-FX Formula
Healthology Gut-FX is the ultimate formula to repair your intestinal tract lining, heal inflammation, support healthy gut flora, and restore your gut health. This product also has Lactobacillus Acidophilus - Whole Cell LA-145 Billion CFU and Bifidobacterium Animalis subsp. Lactis - Whole Cell BI-045 Billion CFU was added to the formula.
Product Recommendation: Healthology Soluble Fibre Blend
This soluble fibre blend provides a Certified Organic, non-GMO blend of Baobab and Acacia fibres that helps promote healthy digestion, may also help to balance blood sugar levels and is packed with antioxidants and polyphenols, which protect your cells and organs from oxidative damage while reducing inflammation in the body.
Hippocrates himself said, “All disease begins in the gut,” The intestinal tract forms a defensive barrier against what we ingest, and it stops harmful substances from reaching the bloodstream. It’s simple: Maintaining this healthy gut lining barrier will assist in reducing the likeliness of developing a leaky gut (intestinal permeability) while preventing any of the many autoimmune diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, autoimmune hepatitis, type 1 diabetes (T1D), and multiple sclerosis, to name a few (Mu et al., 2017).
Please consult your primary health care provider or nutritionist before taking supplements, including vitamins, minerals, or herbal medicine. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding your medical condition and any diet changes. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of something you have read online.
References
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