Everyone has a certain degree of “leaky gut” – even someone considered healthy. After all, the gut is made of a semi-permeable membrane that enables it to work to absorb water and nutrients from the food we eat. However, increased gut permeability (or hyperpermeability) can mean that they absorb more than food and nutrients. In other words, the gut leaks.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what gut leakage means and explore the best leaky gut syndrome supplements and solutions you can try.
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Leaky gut syndrome (LGS) occurs when the intestinal lining becomes so permeable that even bacteria and toxins “leak” into the bloodstream.
Note that LGS is a hypothetical digestive condition not recognised as a medical diagnosis. Even so, it still causes more than a few discomforts, with symptoms like:
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Headaches
A leaky gut can cause nutritional deficiencies, skin problems, and widespread inflammation. This is because the barrier that regulates what goes in and out of the body becomes compromised, triggering a storm of inflammatory signals that can lead to liver disease, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even brain inflammation.
LGS often occurs as a symptom of various medical conditions, but its root cause is usually dysbiosis or an imbalance of gut bacteria. This happens when the harmful bacteria outnumber good bacteria in the intestinal tract).
Dysbiosis can be caused by several things, including an unhealthy diet (high in sugars, processed foods, and saturated fat), exposure to environmental toxins and stress. Some medications, particularly antibiotics, can also kill good bacteria, resulting in an imbalance in the gut microbiota.
Macrophages and Leaky Gut Syndrome
Macrophages are vital to gastrointestinal health. These immune cells within the gut interact with the gut microbiota by performing several key functions.
Below is a quick overview of how macrophages affect your gastrointestinal well-being:
Supports the Gut Barrier
Macrophages live in the gut's inner layer (lamina propria), cleaning up harmful germs, fixing damaged tissue, and controlling inflammation. They also help the gut’s lining stay strong and work well.
These immune cells closely interact with epithelial cells, using special sensors to detect and respond to them by producing defensive proteins and mucus that strengthen the gut barrier.
When this interaction is disrupted, macrophages become less effective. This can result in gut problems, including “leakage.”
When the gut leaks, pathogens can easily break through the lining, triggering a release of chemicals to fight the germs off. Unfortunately, when too many of these chemicals are released, they can cause damage to the gut lining and aggravate conditions like Crohn’s disease or colitis.
Tissue Repair and Regeneration
Macrophages also play a crucial role in repairing and regenerating damaged tissues in the gut. They act and adapt according to the stage of injury and recovery:
- In the inflammatory phase, macrophages release inflammatory mediators like chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases to recruit other immune cells to the site of injury.
- Once they transition to the wound-healing stage, they secrete growth factors that stimulate tissue repair and regeneration.
- In the resolution phase, anti-inflammatory macrophages release anti-inflammatory cytokines that suppress inflammation and promote long-term tissue stability.
While scientists still have more to learn about leaky gut, recent studies show the potential of macrophages in supporting gastrointestinal health. To learn more about this, download and read our GcMAF research here.
Best Leaky Gut Syndrome Supplements and Other Solutions
There is currently no standard treatment for Leaky Gut Syndrome. Fortunately, GcMAF capsules and supplements, as well as specific dietary and lifestyle adjustments, can help strengthen your intestinal barrier.
1. GcMAF
As established in the previous section, macrophages significantly affect gut health. Immune dysregulation, characterised by poor immune responses and excessive inflammation, is a key contributor to leaky gut.
GcMAF supplements can help with this.
GcMAF are proteins that activate macrophages. Once triggered, the macrophages in the brain (known as microglia) help balance the immune system, prevent dysregulation, and aid in the overall function of the gut barrier.
2. Probiotics and Prebiotics
Although scientists are still working out the effectiveness of specific types of probiotics for the leaky gut, they are generally known to help maintain the gastrointestinal lining. They do this by keeping the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut in check, particularly in the small intestines.
Meanwhile, prebiotics are food for good bacteria, providing them the energy to fight off the bad ones. These are usually found in plant fibres – giving you one more good reason to include vegetables in your daily diet.
3. Dietary Changes
Besides adding GcMAF lollies, probiotics, and prebiotics to your diet, you should also reduce your consumption of foods high in sugar and fat. These foods trigger harsh dietary emulsifiers and increase your risk of gut inflammation.
Scientists also recommend that people experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms avoid foods that are difficult to digest (known as fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols or FODMAPs). Bacteria break down these short-chain carbohydrates through a fermentation process in the gut, which produces gas and causes symptoms such as flatulence and bloating.
Some of the common culprits include:
- Apples, cherries, dates, peaches, pears, and watermelon
- Mushrooms, onions, garlic, and asparagus
- Legumes (e.g., black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, and fava beans)
- Sweeteners (natural and artificial) such as fructose, xylitol, sorbitol, and honey
- Grains (almond meal, barley, flour, rye, and wheat)
- Acidic beverages (beer, fruit juice, soda, and wine)
Doctors recommend a low-FODMAP diet to reduce gas production, which alleviates digestive discomfort caused by leaky gut syndrome.
For Optimal Gut Health
Achieving optimal gastrointestinal health begins with a comprehensive approach that combines gut repair supplements with mindful dietary choices and lifestyle adjustments. Support your body’s natural defence mechanisms and pave the way for long-term gastrointestinal resilience with GcMAF supplements.
Still unsure? Get answers to your most pressing questions about GcMAF here.
Author
Dr Toshio Inui
Doctor, expert in internal medicine and worldwide authority on GcMAF treatments, Dr. Inui is the visiting professor at Kagoshima University. He has dedicated his career to developing innovative treatments using MAF, and has 22 research works and 266 citations into macrophage activating factors.