Leaky gut syndrome – a leaky theory?

In our bodies, our intestines are lined by a single layer of cells, joined together by proteins that make up tight junctions. In leaky gut syndrome these junctions are thought to become loose, and therefore allow toxins and bacteria to leak through into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the effects are thought to be widespread, causing leaky gut syndrome to be linked with diseases spanning the whole body, from Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Crohn’s, to heart disease and autism.