Putting A Stop To Leaky Gut - Harvard Health

Recent Articles

How we make memories

Aldosterone overload: An underappreciated contributor to high blood pressure

Can you retrain your brain to stop excessive drinking?

Beyond statins: New ways to lower LDL cholesterol

What is a cardioversion procedure?

For now, electric cars appear safe for people with implanted heart devices

Can you stop blood thinners after an ablation for atrial fibrillation?

Reversing prediabetes may slash heart disease risk by half

Waking up to urinate at night affects blood pressure

Finding and fixing a stiff, narrowed aortic valve

/ November 21, 2018 Share Share this page to Facebook Share this page to X Share this page via Email Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print

Leaky gut gets blamed for everything from everyday stomach issues to pain to anxiety, yet it is one of the most mysterious ailments to diagnose and treat.

Part of the reason for this medical mystery is because the gut is such a vast and complex system. "Science continues to find new ways that the gut can influence everything from heart health to keeping our brains young," says Dr. Alessio Fasano, director of the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. "There is much we know about leaky gut in terms of how it affects people's health, but there is still so much that is unknown."

What is leaky gut?

You have to begin at the cellular level. The lining of your intestine is made of millions and millions of cells. These cells join together to create a tight barrier that acts like a security system and decides what gets absorbed into the bloodstream and what stays out.

However, in an unhealthy gut, the lining can weaken, so "holes" develop in the barrier. The result is that toxins and bacteria can leak into the body. This can trigger inflammation in the gut and throughout the body and cause a chain reaction of problems, such as bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, fatigue, headaches, and joint pain, to name a few.

How do these "holes" form? The biggest culprits are genes and diet, according to Dr. Fasano. "Some people may have a weaker barrier because they were born with it, or they follow an unbalanced diet low in fiber and high in sugar and saturated fats, which may be the trigger that weakens the gut lining." Age also plays a role because as you age, cells get damaged more easily and heal slowly, if at all, so the gut becomes more vulnerable.

The role of leaky gut in overall health remains unclear

"Leaky gut could be the cause of some health problems, or a sign of something larger," says Dr. Fasano. "The science is still up in the air." For example, digestive conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and Crohn's disease share many of the same symptoms as leaky gut, and all are linked with chronic inflammation, but it's not known how, or if, they are connected.

"The challenge is that it's difficult to measure the strength of a person's gut barrier, so you can't know for certain when leaky gut is really present, or what influence it may have elsewhere in the body," says Dr. Fasano.

Can you treat leaky gut?

You can, but the approach is similar to diagnosing a broken car, says Dr. Fasano. "You don't know the exact problem until the mechanic lifts the hood, looks around, and tries different things — there is not a simple, direct approach to fixing the problem," he says. "It's the same with leaky gut. We have to try different strategies to see what helps."

Your first step is to share your symptoms with your doctor. If leaky gut is a possibility, he or she can try several strategies to help relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation. The most common is to review your diet and eliminate known dietary causes of inflammation, such as excessive consumption of alcohol and processed foods, and to explore whether you have any food sensitivities — for instance, to gluten or dairy. "In theory, reducing inflammation from your diet like this also may rebuild the gut lining and stop further leakage," says Dr. Fasano.

The best way to protect yourself from leaky gut is to invest more in your overall digestive health, he adds. This means being more attentive about following a gut-healthy diet that limits processed foods and high-fat and high-sugar foods, and includes enough fiber. Sticking to a regular exercise program also can strengthen your digestive system. For example, studies have suggested that taking a 15-to 20-minute walk after a meal can aid in digestion. "Your gastrointestinal system is complex, but caring for it doesn't have to be," says Dr. Fasano.

Image: TefiM/Getty Images

Share Share this page to Facebook Share this page to X Share this page via Email Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Recent Articles

How we make memories

Aldosterone overload: An underappreciated contributor to high blood pressure

Can you retrain your brain to stop excessive drinking?

Beyond statins: New ways to lower LDL cholesterol

What is a cardioversion procedure?

For now, electric cars appear safe for people with implanted heart devices

Can you stop blood thinners after an ablation for atrial fibrillation?

Reversing prediabetes may slash heart disease risk by half

Waking up to urinate at night affects blood pressure

Finding and fixing a stiff, narrowed aortic valve

/

You might also be interested in…

Help for Your Sensitive Gut: A guide to managing constipation, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and other common digestive problems

When your digestive system is running smoothly, you tend not to think about it. Once trouble begins, your gut — like a squeaky wheel — suddenly demands your attention. This Special Health Report, Help for Your Sensitive Gut, covers the major sources of gastrointestinal distress: irritable bowel syndrome, gastric reflux, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, and excess gas. It also includes a special Bonus Section describing how emotional stress and anxiety can cause gastrointestinal distress.

Read More

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up Close

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

25 Gut Health Hacks is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive health information from Harvard Medical School.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to lessen digestion problems…keep inflammation under control…learn simple exercises to improve your balance…understand your options for cataract treatment…all delivered to your email box FREE.

Are you looking for reliable, easy to understand and clinically reviewed health information?

Click on the video to hear a message from our Dean of External Education, Dr Roberts about our weekly e-newsletter HealthBeat.

And just for signing up, you will get access to a free online course Inflammation and Diet: How food can lower disease risk. No purchase necessary.

I want to get healthier This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Close

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus get a FREE on-line course Inflammation and Diet: How food can lower disease risk. No purchase necessary.

Sign me up Close

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus get a FREE on-line course Inflammation and Diet: How food can lower disease risk. No purchase necessary.

Sign me up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.