If you suffer digestive problems or have an interest in gut health then I’m sure you’ve heard the term ‘leaky gut’ by now. It sounds a bit weird and can leave you wondering if it’s actually a real thing. The more technical term for leaky gut is Intestinal Permeability, and it is just as it says – gaps in the gut wall.
The gut wall lining is made up of a single layer of epithelial cells, each connected by proteins called “tight junctions”, then covered in a layer of mucous. This relatively simple combination forms a selective barrier which plays an enormous part in our defence against the outside world! The incredibly important role of the gut wall is to be choosy: absorbing helpful nutrients and keeping out nasty organisms, toxins, and other waste products. |