What is leaky gut?

Key Points:

• "Leaky gut syndrome" is not an officially recognized medical diagnosis, although increased intestinal permeability is a real condition where the intestinal lining becomes more porous than normal.
• Increased intestinal permeability can allow substances that are normally blocked to pass through the gut lining, potentially contributing to conditions like celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Symptoms often attributed to "leaky gut" such as bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort are common in many other digestive conditions and may not be caused by increased permeability itself.
• Causes of increased intestinal permeability include inflammatory bowel diseases, infections, some cancer treatments, chronic heavy alcohol use, diets high in ultra-processed foods, NSAID use, and chronic stress.
• There is no FDA-approved treatment for "leaky gut," so medical care focuses on diagnosing and treating any underlying conditions causing symptoms through symptom review, testing, and targeted therapies.