10 Things That Will Cause Leaky Gut Syndrome

Leaky Gut Syndrome, or Hyperpermeable Intestines as is the fancy medical term associated with this condition, is often the cause of much confusion in both sufferers and medical professionals. This refers to an occurrence in the intestines that essentially leads to the body’s food screening process becoming defunct.

Holes in the intestines allow food particles to pass through undigested into the blood stream. The body then identifies the food as foreign bodies and wages war on the food. A damaging cycle of eating and the body treating the food as a threat then ensues leading to all sorts of other problems.

This condition has become more prevalent over the years and more and more people are finding that problems with their digestive system that they have been experiencing are associated with Leaky Gut Syndrome.

While the rising number of cases in sufferers is unfortunate for those experiencing the problems associated with a leaky gut, this has meant that medical professionals are getting more opportunities to study the condition, work out the main causes, and come up with more suitable treatments.

There are several main causes of the so called Leaky Gut Syndrome that have come to light over the years, many of which are avoidable. This article will serve to highlight 10 main things that can lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome.

1. Drugs and Medication

Many of the drugs and medication available from prescription services, and even over the counter can lead to the development of Leaky Gut Syndrome. Some examples of these are non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, antibiotics, steroids, and birth control pills.

Long term use of such drugs and medication are thought to contribute to the syndrome, but they will certainly aggravate an existing condition.

2. Coffee

Coffee is at the center of many health conditions these days and it appears to be a culprit in the development of Leaky Gut Syndrome too.

According to the experts, food that is consumed while drinking coffee is more likely to pass through into the blood stream having only been partially digested. Over time this increases the guts permeability and loads the body with allergen.

3. Alcohol

Another substance at the center of most health issues in adults is alcohol.

This intoxicant is one of the most excessively used in modern society and affects almost all the body’s system in a negative way.

For many people the excesses of alcohol and the toxins within will irritate the intestines and suppress the production of things like prostaglandins, which is the substance that modulates and stimulates tissue. It is this suppression that often leads to Leaky Gut Syndrome.

4. Dietary Factors

Leading on from factors in society that lead to health problems, at the center of all those is of course the diet.

The foods that a person eats regularly is amongst the most common factors to a increase in intestinal permeability. Some foods such as those that high in sugars and salts are known irritants of Leaky Gut Syndrome because they often lead to the overgrowth of candida yeast within the fragile intestines.

It also goes without saying that the intake of junk, processed, and most packaged foods should be limited.

5. Stress

Chronic stress can be associated with many health issues that individuals are faced with nowadays.

Many of the same hormones mediate both the brain and the intestine so when a person experiences prolonged stress this can have an adverse affect on the person digestive system. Some common signals that a person is suffering from chronic stress include stomach cramps, bloating, constipation, and an excess in the production of digestive acids.

All of this can easily lead into the development of Leaky Gut Syndrome.

6. Allergies

Food allergies is said to be a common cause of damage to the intestines, but on the flip side Leaky Gut Syndrome can often be attributed to the allergic reaction to certain foods. There are several different types of food allergies, with varying symptoms and reactions.

A medical professional will need to monitor and test an individual to ascertain if Leaky Gut Syndrome is at the heart of the food allergy reactions.

7. Environmental Factors

On a somewhat lesser scale and perhaps more indirectly, some external factors can lead to the development of the condition.

There are some products which are used for skin care, and some household products which may contain harmful chemicals that, with regular exposure can contribute to Leaky Gut Syndrome in some way.

8. Parasites

Parasites in the body can lead to a whole host of problems and are usually associated with things like Candida, AIDS, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

These parasites are organisms that will take shelter, feed, and then multiply on an organism within the body. They feed off the nutrients in the body and secrete harmful toxins and these activities lead to damage in the lining of the intestines which can then lead to leaky Gut Syndrome.

9. Hypochlorydria

There are pre-existing conditions that some people will suffer from and these can lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome. One of those conditions is Hypochlorydria (HCL), which is the name given to the condition where a person suffers from a deficiency in hydrochloric acids.

This acid aids in many functions within the body such as the break down of proteins, stimulation of enzymes, and the assimilation of vitamins. If there is a deficiency in hydrochloric acid in the stomach then the processes of digestion becomes severely compromised and this often results in Leaky Gut Syndrome.

10. Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is another condition which can lead to an increase in intestinal permeability.

This disease is largely genetic and affects the immune system. Foods containing oats, barley, and proteins contribute to the aggravation of this disorder which reacts by becoming inflamed and in turn flattening the villi, which is the small intestine.

This results in the body being less capable of absorbing important nutrients, and this leads to weakened intestines, which could then lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome.

There are many things that can lead to the gut being permeable, which leads to all the issues associated with Leaky Gut Syndrome. In many cases the overall cause of Leaky Gut Syndrome is as a result of certain excesses in an individuals lifestyle.

There are some steps that can be taken to limit the chances of developing this condition and it largely involves lifestyle changes. Much of the challenges faced by medical professions when trying to deal with this condition is finding the root cause of the problem.

It is important to identify why the condition came about so that the individual can be treated and take the necessary steps to illuminate the things that cause the leaky gut.

Over the years there have been several tests introduced that can help in the discovery of the causes of this condition and so lead to the most effective treatment. These tests include things like Food Challenge Tests, Lactolose/Mannitol Absorption Tests, and simple Skin Prick Tests.

Depending on the findings this could lead to a treatment involving medicines or lifestyle change recommendations. Given that this condition is largely as a result of lifestyle, alcohol intake, diet, stress etc, it is highly likely that a lifestyle change will be one of the key requirements.

Changes in this respect is also a very effective preemptive measure that everyone should consider.