The gut is one of the most important yet often neglected organs in the human body. Its health is further compromised due to hectic lifestyle and irregular eating habits. But did you know that your gut can leak if you don’t take care of it? Dr Sooruk TK, Consultant, Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary Sciences, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, New Delhi A layer of epithelium – which absorbs all the digestive nutrients – lines the gut. “But when the permeability of this membrane increases, large toxins – ingested or produced by the intestinal bacterial flora – enter the circulation and trigger inflammation in the body, leading to leaky gut and the development of many common chronic disorders,” he told to media.
Reasons
A leaky gut can be genetic or even caused by a poor lifestyle. “While genetic predisposition and increased sensitivity to changes in the digestive system can cause gut leakage, lifestyle changes may be a major driver of gut inflammation,” says Dr.
Similarly, nutritionist Rashi Chaudhary shared on Instagram that consuming junk food and gluten on a daily basis can cause gut leakage. Other factors include “having milk with every meal, refined sugar, alcohol, infection, viruses, bacterial overgrowth and not taking enough time to rest.”
Dr Soorukt agrees, “A diet low in fiber and high in sugar and saturated fats can trigger this process. Other causes include alcohol use, painkillers such as ibuprofen, naproxen and stress.
Features
Experts explained that the symptoms may vary depending on the disease. Common symptoms include “bloating, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal cramping, and sometimes psychological distress with disturbed quality of life,” says Dr. Sooraght.
He explained that in three to five days the old epithelial cells are replaced by new cells. “When the tight junction between these intestinal cells is weakened, permeability increases,” he added.
effect
Having gut leakage can lead to long-term health problems. Dr Soorukt told indianexpress.com. “Leaky gut leads to nutritional deficiencies and also increases the chances of developing infections and conditions related to pathogen growth,” he says. It also causes “gastrointestinal conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome.”
He added that recent studies show that leaky gut plays a role in autoimmune diseases like “lupus, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, allergies, asthma, obesity and mental illness – depression, Alzheimer’s disease.”
treatment
Unfortunately, there is no cure. Lifestyle changes such as “eating a high-fiber, low-sugar and plant-based diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding stress” must be made to reduce symptoms.
“Pre and probiotics also play a role in restoring leaky gut,” he added.
“Processed food, excess alcohol, and over-the-counter pain killers that damage the gut” must be avoided, Dr. Soorukht advises. “We, what we eat. Hence it is important to follow a healthy and balanced diet to maintain normal gut microbiota and prevent leaky gut,” he says.
