Leaky gut syndrome, an indigestion that is still mysterious

The term ' leaky gut syndrome 'Or' leaky gut syndrome 'in recent years has caught the attention of health professionals around the world. Many experts suspect this condition is the mastermind of various health problems whose causes are not yet known, such as multiple sclerosis , food allergies, to chronic fatigue.

Leaky gut syndrome is a condition when bacteria and toxins from the digestive tract enter the bloodstream through gaps in the intestinal wall. Uniquely, this condition has not been recognized medically and is even denied by many health experts. Why is that?

What is leaky gut syndrome?

The function of the digestive system is not only to digest food and absorb nutrients. The intestinal wall is also directly adjacent to the circulation of blood. This area functions to regulate what can enter the bloodstream and be sent to the organs.

In the intestinal wall, there is a tight gap through which water and nutrients escape from digestion. At the same time, these gaps also prevent the release of bacteria and toxins from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream.

If this gap is loose, bacteria and harmful substances from the digestive tract can penetrate the intestinal wall. Bacteria and toxins enter the bloodstream, then trigger an immune reaction and cause inflammation throughout the body.

People who experience this intestinal disorder may show symptoms:

• persistent diarrhea, constipation, or flatulence
• dizziness, confusion, or difficulty concentrating
• skin problems such as acne, rash, or eczema
• tired quickly
• headache
• joint pain

Diseases related to intestinal wall leakage

Bloodstream passes through every tissue in the body. Therefore, inflammation due to toxins and gastrointestinal bacteria can also spread everywhere. This is why many colon syndromes are associated with a wide variety of health problems.

This condition is believed to be the beginning of chronic fatigue syndrome, skin problems, migraines, and thyroid gland disorders. There is also a suggestion that gut bacteria cause it multiple sclerosis , fibromyalgia (pain in the whole body), even autism.

According to one study, gut bacteria is linked to a risk of depression. This happens because intestinal bacteria can produce and deliver substances such as serotonin (the hormone that regulates happiness) into the nervous system.

Meanwhile, other studies have found that children with autism have intestinal walls that are easier to penetrate. There are also studies that have found a link between gut bacteria and the appearance of skin problems.

However, leaky gut syndrome has not actually been recognized by the medical world. This is because studies that discuss this condition are still limited and the results are fluctuating. Even so, experts agree that the formation of gut wall gaps can indeed occur in chronic diseases.

Causes of leaky gut syndrome

The leakage of the intestinal wall has something to do with a protein called zonulin. It is the only protein that regulates the filtering system of the intestinal wall. When this protein is active, people who are susceptible will be more at risk of developing leaky gut syndrome.

There are several factors that are believed to increase the risk of leakage of the intestinal wall, including:

• Take long-term pain relievers
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• A diet high in sugar, especially those containing fructose
• Lack of vitamin A, vitamin D, and zinc
• Prolonged stress
• The number of good bacteria in the intestine is less than bad bacteria
• Long-term inflammation of the body
• Uncontrolled growth of yeast fungus in the intestines

Apart from these factors, you are also more at risk of developing leaky gut syndrome if you have diabetes, celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The reason is, these diseases make the intestinal wall more prone to form gaps.

How to prevent leaky gut syndrome

Regardless of whether or not leaky gut syndrome is recognized in the medical world, this condition still causes disturbing symptoms. You can reduce the risk by having a healthy digestive system and improving your diet.

Here are a series of tips that you can try.

• Limit your intake of sweet foods, because intestinal bacteria thrive when you consume a lot of sugar.
• Eating foods containing probiotics such as yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha. Foods rich in probiotics can promote the growth of good bacteria.
• Eating fiber-rich foods to balance bacteria and improve digestion.
• Not taking pain relievers continuously. Consult with your doctor to get the right treatment.

Leaky gut syndrome is a health problem that is still a mystery. Some experts believe this condition exists, but not a few also deny it. Until there is more convincing research, this condition may still be debatable.

However, disruption of the intestinal wall is a real health problem that anyone can experience. This is why everyone needs to maintain their digestive health by following a healthy diet.

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