Intestinal Permeability

Definition

Intestinal permeability, often referred to as 'leaky gut,' is a condition where the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged, allowing bacteria and toxins to leak through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Intestinal permeability refers to the control of material passing from inside the gastrointestinal tract through the cells lining the gut wall into the rest of the body. In a healthy gut, the tight junctions between epithelial cells allow selective permeability. However, in certain disease states, these junctions become looser, resulting in increased permeability and the potential for systemic inflammation.

Benefits

• Understanding and managing intestinal permeability can help improve digestive health.
• Reducing intestinal permeability can alleviate symptoms associated with digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Maintaining healthy gut permeability may support better immune function.

Examples

Additional Information

• Known issues: Increased intestinal permeability is associated with various health issues, including autoimmune diseases, food allergies, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Related Terms

• Gut Microbiota
• Chronic Inflammation
• Probiotics
• Prebiotics
• Digestive Health

References

• The role of the gut barrier in health and disease
• Increased intestinal permeability in patients with inflammatory bowel disease