In This ArticleView AllIn This Article1. You Have Chronic Gut Problems2. Your Skin Is Irritated and Inflamed3. You’re Allergic to Certain Foods4. You Have Joint Pain All the Time5. You’re More Tired Than Usual6. You Often Feel Anxious or Depressed7. You Have an Autoimmune DiseaseHow Is Leaky Gut Syndrome Diagnosed?How to Support a Healthy Gut and Manage Symptoms

In This ArticleView All

View All

In This Article

  1. You Have Chronic Gut Problems

  2. Your Skin Is Irritated and Inflamed

  3. You’re Allergic to Certain Foods

  4. You Have Joint Pain All the Time

  5. You’re More Tired Than Usual

  6. You Often Feel Anxious or Depressed

  7. You Have an Autoimmune Disease

How Is Leaky Gut Syndrome Diagnosed?

How to Support a Healthy Gut and Manage Symptoms

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an illustration of a gut with pain

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Is your gut leaking? This is probably not a question you get asked often. After all, you’re not a faucet or a pipe. But similar to a leaking pipe, the lining in your gut can become damaged, allowing substances through. While some gut permeability is necessary for nutrient absorption, a compromised gut barrier creates larger holes in the gut lining, allowing bacteria, toxins and undigested food particles to pass into the bloodstream. This phenomenon is known as leaky gut syndrome.

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If you experience frequent bouts of abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea or other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome may be a key factor. In fact, a 2021 review published inTherapeutic Advances in Gastroenterologyhas shown that adults and children with IBS often have increased intestinal permeability. Specifically, those with IBS-D (meaning IBS with diarrhea) had a greater likelihood of having intestinal permeability than those with IBS with constipation (or IBS-C).

The health of your gut is also closely linked to the health of your skin. According to a 2022 review published inDermatology Reports,inflammatory skin disorders like acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), psoriasis and hives can be associated with an imbalance of gut bacteria. This imbalance creates the opportunity for harmful bacterial strains to trigger inflammation and alter gut permeability.

Have achy joints? If the answer is yes, leaky gut syndrome may be contributing to the discomfort. A 2022 study published in theIndian Journal of Orthopaedicspoints out that there is a gut-joint axis that merges gut, immune and joint health. As a result, imbalances in the gut can lead to increased intestinal permeability, allowing harmful bacteria into the bloodstream that activate inflammatory cells that can trigger and worsen joint pain.

While it can be normal to feel anxious, sad or depressed from time to time, ongoing anxiety or depression may also indicate gut issues. It was once thought that the nervous system primarily regulated our mental state, but recent research has revealed that the gastrointestinal system has influence as well. For example, gut microbes help to produce chemicals and neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA that help regulate our mood, according to a 2020 study published in theJournal of Neuroinflammation. While the development of depression and anxiety is multifactorial, gut imbalances or leaky gut may play a role, though more research is needed.

If you’ve encountered any of the above symptoms suggestive of leaky gut syndrome, you may be wondering what tests are available. You may have also noticed that many of the symptoms overlap with other medical conditions. For this reason, diagnosing intestinal permeability can be quite difficult, and there are no validated tests at this time. That’s why, currently, leaky gut is not a diagnosis, according toCleveland Clinic. One of the best approaches is to consult your doctor or registered dietitian.

Below are several tips to help manage the symptoms associated with leaky gut syndrome and support a healthy gut microbiome and lining.

The Bottom Line

Digestive issues, irritated skin, food allergies, joint pain, chronic fatigue, mood disorders and autoimmune disease all have one thing in common—they may be signs of a leaky gut. Fortunately, healthy lifestyle and diet habits can help support healthy gut function. Remember to talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian if you’re concerned about your gut health.

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