Leaky Gut Syndrome

The chances of being diagnosed with Leaky Gut Syndrome are pretty remote. It does not even occur to many doctors to check for the condition. A further complication is that gut distress often manifests as disease in other parts of the body. Leaky Gut Syndrome is one of the most misunderstood concepts in modern medicine. This condition is associated with an abnormal increase in the permeability of the small intestine. Increased permeability of the small intestine is associated with a wide variety of conditions including infl ammatory and infectious bowel diseases such as Crohn’s and celiac, arthritis, skin conditions such as acne, hives, eczema, and psoriasis, liver disease, pancreatic disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and food allergy. Intestinal permeability testing is available through Direct Laboratory Services (www.directlabs.com). The small intestine is the body’s largest organ and is responsible for accomplishing the breakdown of foods and absorbing the nutrients into the body. Two-thirds of the body’s immune system can be found in the small intestine. This is how the body provides protection from the accidental ingestion of toxins or pathogens that could make us ill. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition in which the permeability of the small intestine is altered. Undigested foods and toxins produced by bacteria are absorbed into the body activating the immune system and creating a wide variety of problems.