Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs Leaky Gut Syndrome Treatable?Associated Symptoms and ConditionsSuggestions for Individuals Managing Chronic ConditionsHow Can You Tell If You’re Healing?Providers to SeeTips for Living With Chronic GI SymptomsNext in Leaky Gut Syndrome GuideLeaky Gut Diet: What to Eat and What to Avoid
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is Leaky Gut Syndrome Treatable?
Associated Symptoms and Conditions
Suggestions for Individuals Managing Chronic Conditions
How Can You Tell If You’re Healing?
Providers to See
Tips for Living With Chronic GI Symptoms
Next in Leaky Gut Syndrome Guide
Leaky gut syndrome is when the intestinal wall is damaged or weakened, causing undigested food particles, bacteria, and toxins to leak out of the intestines and into the surrounding tissues. While leaky gut syndrome is not a recognized diagnosis, it is associated with digestive conditions, such asirritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Research on leaky gut syndrome is still in its early stages. Treatments are based on the theory that a combination of factors, including diet, stress, and inflammation, may cause leaky gut syndrome.
piyaset / Getty Images
Dietary Modifications
Adopting agut-friendly dietthat helps beneficial gut bacteria grow and thrive is fundamental to healing a leaky gut. This typically includes reducing or eliminating processed foods, alcohol, high-fat or high-sugars, and foods that trigger allergies (e.g., dairy, gluten). Eating whole foods may strengthen the intestinal lining and promote gut healing. These foods include:
Leaky Gut Diet
These diets can be restrictive, so talk to a healthcare provider or registered dietitian (RD) before starting a specific diet to ensure it is safe, healthy, and suitable for you.
Probiotics
Probioticsare live microorganisms, similar to the natural bacteria in your digestive tract, that may help keep your gut microbiome balanced and healthy.
Some foods contain probiotics, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi. Probiotics are also available as dietary supplements. When choosing a probiotic supplement, look for a product that contains multiple strains of bacteria, including those that may be especially effective in healing leaky gut syndrome, such as:
The Best Time of Day to Take Probiotics, According to Science
Stress Management
Chronic stresscan weaken the immune system and increase inflammation throughout the body, including the gut. Over time, inflammation can damage the intestinal lining, making it more permeable or “leaky.” Chronic stress can also decrease the diversity of the gut microbiome, which may further damage the gut lining and contribute to leaky gut syndrome.
Though some stress is unavoidable, there are specific strategies you can use to help reduce and manage long-term stress to help heal your gut and improve your overall health.Stress managementstrategies include:
Medications
If you have a condition associated with leaky gut syndrome, your treatment may include prescription medications. The types of medicines prescribed depend on the underlying condition and the severity of symptoms. Medications commonly prescribed to treat digestive conditions include:
Dietary Supplements
Talk to a healthcare provider before adding dietary supplements to your treatment plan, as some supplements may interact with your medications.
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract’s epithelial lining is a barrier that protects the body from harmful pathogens (e.g., bacteria and toxins). If this lining becomes damaged and develops cracks or holes, it becomes “leaky,” allowing the surrounding tissues to come into contact with bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles. When this occurs, it triggers inflammation and changes to your gut microbiome, leading to digestive problems and other health issues.
Symptoms ofleaky gut syndromeoverlap with many other conditions linked to a leaky gut and may include:
Research suggests that some autoimmune conditions may develop due to leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut syndrome is associated with many chronic conditions, including:
The relationship between leaky gut syndrome and these conditions is complex and poorly understood. More research is needed to determine the exact role that leaky gut syndrome plays in these diseases and develop effective treatments.
Fold Intolerance & Leaky Gut SyndromeFood intolerance, or food sensitivity, is when the body has difficulty digesting or processing a particular food or food component. This can lead to digestive problems, skin reactions, and respiratory problems. Research shows intestinal permeability (leaky gut) may increase the risk of food sensitivities, such as lactose or gluten intolerance.
Fold Intolerance & Leaky Gut Syndrome
Food intolerance, or food sensitivity, is when the body has difficulty digesting or processing a particular food or food component. This can lead to digestive problems, skin reactions, and respiratory problems. Research shows intestinal permeability (leaky gut) may increase the risk of food sensitivities, such as lactose or gluten intolerance.
Managing a chronic condition is a lifelong journey that requires ongoing care. While everyone’s experience is unique, and what works best varies from person to person, certain lifestyle habits can help you manage your condition and improve your overall quality of life.
Healing from leaky gut syndrome can take time, consistency, and patience. It may help to remember that healing is not always linear, and you may experience some setbacks. While some people may experience noticeable changes within weeks, others may require several months of consistent efforts to see significant improvements.
As your gastrointestinal tract heals, you may notice signs of healing, such as:
If you are experiencing signs of healing, it is important to continue following your treatment plan and to talk to a healthcare provider about your progress.
See a healthcare provider if you suspect you have leaky gut syndrome or have symptoms of one or more associated conditions. A primary care physician can be your first point of contact. They can evaluate your symptoms, perform initial assessments, and refer you to specialists if necessary. Healthcare providers with knowledge and expertise in gastrointestinal health include:
If you have trouble finding a healthcare provider with knowledge about leaky gut syndrome, you can try searching online or asking your primary care physician or health insurance provider for recommendations.
Living with chronic GI symptoms can be challenging, but with a proactive and holistic approach to your gut health, you can improve your quality of life and effectively manage your symptoms. Here are some tips:
Summary
Leaky gut syndrome occurs when the intestinal lining becomes damaged, allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria to leak into the surrounding tissues. People with leaky gut syndrome often have digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, and some may experience body-wide symptoms like joint and muscle pain.
Treatments for leaky gut syndrome focus on managing symptoms through dietary choices and addressing underlying causes. Talk to a healthcare provider if you think you may have leaky gut syndrome. Treating leaky gut syndrome early may help improve gut health and prevent long-term complications.
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Camilleri M.Leaky gut: mechanisms, measurement and clinical implications in humans.Gut. 2019;68(8):1516-1526. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318427
Aleman RS, Moncada M, Aryana KJ.Leaky gut and the ingredients that help treat it: a review.Molecules. 2023;28(2):619. doi:10.3390/molecules28020619
Inczefi O, Bacsur P, Resál T, et al.The influence of nutrition on intestinal permeability and the microbiome in health and disease.Front Nutr. 2022;9:718710. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.718710
Ait Abdellah S, Gal C, Laterza L, et al.Effect of a multistrain probiotic on leaky gut in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A pilot study.Dig Dis. 2023;41(3):489-499. doi:10.1159/000526712
Madison A, Kiecolt-Glaser JK.Stress, depression, diet, and the gut microbiota: human-bacteria interactions at the core of psychoneuroimmunology and nutrition.Curr Opin Behav Sci. 2019;28:105-110. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2019.01.011
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Coping with stress.
Cai Z, Wang S, Li J.Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: A comprehensive review.Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:765474. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.765474
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Medication options for Crohn’s disease.
Pugh JN, Sage S, Hutson M, et al.Glutamine supplementation reduces markers of intestinal permeability during running in the heat in a dose-dependent manner.Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117(12):2569-2577. doi:10.1007/s00421-017-3744-4
Scazzocchio B, Minghetti L, D’Archivio M.Interaction between gut microbiota and curcumin: a new key of understanding for the health effects of curcumin.Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2499. doi:10.3390/nu12092499
Durkin LA, Childs CE, Calder PC.Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the intestinal epithelium-A review.Foods. 2021;10(1):199. doi:10.3390/foods10010199
Canadian Digestive Health Foundation.What is leaky gut syndrome?.
Mandarano AH, Giloteaux L, Keller BA, Levine SM, Hanson MR.Eukaryotes in the gut microbiota in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.PeerJ. 2018;6:e4282. doi:10.7717/peerj.4282
Niewiem M, Grzybowska-Chlebowczyk U.Intestinal barrier permeability in allergic diseases.Nutrients. 2022;14(9):1893. doi:10.3390/nu14091893L
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Living with a chronic condition.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.How a heatlhy gut makes for a healthier you.
Prasad SS, Potter M, Keely S, Talley NJ, Walker MM, Kairuz T.Roles of healthcare professionals in the management of chronic gastrointestinal diseases with a focus on primary care: a systematic review.JGH Open. 2019;4(2):221-229. doi:10.1002/jgh3.12235
The Institute for Functional Medicine.What is functional medicine?.
American College of Gastroenterology.Digestive health tips.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
