Leaky Gut (Intestinal Permeability)

Description

A condition where the gut's barrier function is compromised, allowing toxins, undigested food particles, and bacteria to leak into the bloodstream, triggering immune responses.

Note on fiber: Fiber usually protects against leaky gut, but some people may be sensitive to it and develop dysbiosis

Root Causes

Oxidized fats

Carbohydrate consumption

Fiber Consumption

FODMAP Consumption

Gluten Consumption

Lactose Intolerance

NSAID Use

Alcohol Consumption

Mycotoxin Exposure

Bromelain Consumption

[ 6 ] Arka Jyoti Chakraborty et al. (2021) DOI PMCID PMID [ 7 ] J V Castell et al. (1997) DOI PMID [ 8 ] Olha Kostiuchenko et al. (2022) DOI PMCID PMID [ 9 ] Carolina Varilla et al. (2021) DOI PMCID PMID

Mechanisms that promote this

Gut Dysbiosis

Systemic Inflammation

[ 10 ] Patrice D Cani et al. (2008) DOI PMID [ 11 ] Alessio Fasano et al. (2012) DOI PMID [ 12 ] Thomas Y Ma et al. (2004) DOI PMID [ 13 ] Rana Al-Sadi et al. (2013) DOI PMID

Mechanisms affected by this

Systemic Inflammation

[ 14 ] G Sigthorsson et al. (1998) DOI PMID [ 10 ] Patrice D Cani et al. (2008) DOI PMID [ 11 ] Alessio Fasano et al. (2012) DOI PMID [ 12 ] Thomas Y Ma et al. (2004) DOI PMID [ 13 ] Rana Al-Sadi et al. (2013) DOI PMID

HPA Axis Dysregulation

Weakened Immune System

Diseases affected by this mechanism

Crohn's Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Viral Infection

Symptoms connected to this mechanism

Acne

[ 1 ] Young Bok Lee et al. (2019) DOI PMCID PMID [ 2 ] Yongqiong Deng et al. (2018) DOI PMID [ 3 ] Brigitte Dréno et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID [ 4 ] Varadraj Vasant Pai et al. (2025) DOI PMID [ 5 ] Whitney P Bowe et al. (2011) DOI PMCID PMID

Insomnia

Sources

[1] Potential Role of the Microbiome in Acne: A Comprehensive Review

[ 1 ] Young Bok Lee et al. (2019) DOI PMCID PMID

[2] Patients with Acne Vulgaris Have a Distinct Gut Microbiota in Comparison with Healthy Controls

[ 2 ] Yongqiong Deng et al. (2018) DOI PMID

[3] The Skin Microbiome: A New Actor in Inflammatory Acne

[ 3 ] Brigitte Dréno et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID

[4] Gut microbiome in dermatology - A narrative review

[ 4 ] Varadraj Vasant Pai et al. (2025) DOI PMID

[5] Acne vulgaris, probiotics and the gut-brain-skin axis - back to the future?

[ 5 ] Whitney P Bowe et al. (2011) DOI PMCID PMID

[6] Bromelain a Potential Bioactive Compound: A Comprehensive Overview from a Pharmacological Perspective

[ 6 ] Arka Jyoti Chakraborty et al. (2021) DOI PMCID PMID

[7] Intestinal absorption of undegraded proteins in men: presence of bromelain in plasma after oral intake

[ 7 ] J V Castell et al. (1997) DOI PMID

[8] Effects of Proteases from Pineapple and Papaya on Protein Digestive Capacity and Gut Microbiota in Healthy C57BL/6 Mice and Dose-Manner Response on Mucosal Permeability in Human Reconstructed Intestinal 3D Tissue Model

[ 8 ] Olha Kostiuchenko et al. (2022) DOI PMCID PMID

[9] Bromelain, a Group of Pineapple Proteolytic Complex Enzymes (Ananas comosus) and Their Possible Therapeutic and Clinical Effects. A Summary

[ 9 ] Carolina Varilla et al. (2021) DOI PMCID PMID

[10] Changes in gut microbiota control metabolic endotoxemia-induced inflammation in high-fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes in mice

[ 10 ] Patrice D Cani et al. (2008) DOI PMID

[11] Intestinal Permeability and its Regulation by Zonulin: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications

[ 11 ] Alessio Fasano et al. (2012) DOI PMID

[12] TNF-alpha-induced increase in intestinal epithelial tight junction permeability requires NF-kappa B activation

[ 12 ] Thomas Y Ma et al. (2004) DOI PMID

[13] TNF-α modulation of intestinal epithelial tight junction barrier is regulated by ERK1/2 activation of Elk-1

[ 13 ] Rana Al-Sadi et al. (2013) DOI PMID

[14] Intestinal permeability and inflammation in patients on NSAIDs

[ 14 ] G Sigthorsson et al. (1998) DOI PMID

[15] Leaky gut and autoimmune diseases

[ 15 ] Fasano A et al. (2012) DOI PMID