Intestinal Symptoms & Conditions

Leaky gut is associated with an array of symptoms and health conditions. It’s important to initially consult with your doctor about your symptoms and health issues to exclude other potential diagnoses. With that in mind, let’s delve into some intestinal symptoms that may be linked to leaky gut.

Diarrhea / Constipation

Leaky gut can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota, leading to changes in bowel movements. Some people may experience diarrhea, while others may experience constipation.

With leaky gut, harmful substances, such as bacteria or toxins, pass into the bloodstream and trigger an immune response and can result in diarrhea. This is because some of these substances can stimulate the secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen, leading to diarrhea.

One potential mechanism for how leaky gut can cause constipation is through the impaired function of the gut lining. This can lead to a decrease in the production of digestive enzymes and an alteration in the gut’s motility, which can result in constipation.

Bloating and gas

We’ve covered dysbiosis in detail. It’s an imbalance in the composition of the gut microbiota, characterized by a shift in the proportion of beneficial and potentially harmful bacteria. These harmful bacteria have different metabolic activities and can produce different fermentation byproducts, such as hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide, which are gases. This excess gas can contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms and discomfort.

Abdominal pain and discomfort

The increase in inflammation and immune response caused by leaky gut can lead to pain and discomfort in the gut. Bloating and excess gas is a result of “bad” bacteria producing excess gas as described in the previous paragraph. Pain and discomfort will result if the gas and bloating is not addressed.

The nervous system can also influence gut function and contribute to abdominal pain and discomfort. The nervous system and gut are closely interconnected, with the enteric nervous system (ENS) often referred to as the “second brain” due to its complexity and function in the gastrointestinal tract.

When the nervous system is activated in response to stress, anxiety, or other factors, it can cause changes in gut function that can lead to abdominal pain and discomfort. For example, stress can increase sensitivity to pain, making individuals more prone to experiencing abdominal pain and discomfort.

Food sensitivities

When the intestinal barrier is compromised, large molecules, such as undigested food particles, can enter the bloodstream. The immune system recognizes these molecules as foreign invaders and mounts an immune response, producing antibodies against them. In some individuals, this immune response can be exaggerated, leading to the development of food sensitivities or allergies.

Indigestion & Heartburn

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a term used to describe a group of symptoms that occur in the upper part of the abdomen, including discomfort or pain, bloating, nausea, and a feeling of fullness or burning. Leaky gut syndrome can contribute to indigestion through several mechanisms.

The increase in inflammation and disruption of the gut microbiome caused by leaky gut can interfere with the normal digestive processes and lead to indigestion. This inflammation can affect the muscles in the digestive tract, leading to discomfort, pain, and a feeling of fullness or bloating. Additionally, the activation of the immune system and release of inflammatory cytokines can lead to the production of excess acid in the stomach, contributing to conditions such as GERD and peptic ulcer disease.

Gastric Ulcers

An increase in acidity of the stomach leads to the breakdown of the protective mucosal lining, making it more vulnerable to damage from harmful substances. The activation of the immune system can also contribute to inflammation and damage to the stomach lining, leading to the development of ulcers.

IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. One potential root cause of IBS is chronic low-grade inflammation in the gut. Another root cause is the imbalance in gut microbiota.

It’s well known that IBS patients have altered gut microbiota, with an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria that can contribute to inflammation and symptoms. An increase in the abundance of Proteobacteria and a decrease in the abundance of Bifidobacteria is one example of this imbalance. This is because Proteobacteria are known to produce lipopolysaccharides, which can contribute to inflammation in the gut, while Bifidobacteria have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and can promote gut health.

Imbalances of the microbiome can result in dysfunction of the brain-gut axis resulting in the dysregulation of the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. This can lead to alterations in gut motility, sensitivity, and secretion, as well as changes in mood and stress levels.

IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. While the exact cause of IBD is not fully understood, there is increasing evidence that suggests that leaky gut may play a role in its development. The major mechanisms involved include the activation of the immune system because of the increased intestinal permeability and the disruption of the gut microbiota balance.

SIBO

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition in which there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. This can lead to a disruption of the normal bacterial balance in the gut and cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. SIBO can result in the production of harmful substances such as endotoxins, which can contribute to inflammation in the gut and the development of these symptoms.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. The inflammation caused by celiac disease can damage the gut lining and increase intestinal permeability. The increased intestinal permeability can allow gluten to pass into the bloodstream and trigger an immune response, leading to inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. This can also cause inflammation throughout the body. Individuals with celiac disease have increased levels of zonulin, which suggests that leaky gut may play a role in the development of celiac disease.