If You Have SIBO Do You Have A Leaky Gut?
Leaky gut and SIBO or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth are two very different conditions. However, there is some correlation between the two of them.
SIBO can lead to leaky gut syndrome however, having SIBO doesn’t automatically mean you are also dealing with leaky gut. Leaky gut is medically known as increased intestinal permeability. It is a digestive condition where toxins and bacteria are able to leak through the wall lining of the intestines. There are various things that can damage the intestinal lining such as overuse of certain medications, gastric or duodenal ulcers, and SIBO.
If bacteria and toxins pass through or leak outside of the intestinal walls they can enter the bloodstream. This causes widespread inflammation possibly triggering a reaction from your immune system which can lead to so many different health issues.
Leaky Gut Symptoms
- Bloating
- Food Sensitivities
- Digestive Issues
- Skin Problems
- Fatigue
Causes of Leaky Gut
Even though leaky gut is still a medical mystery and medical professionals are still studying the root causes there is currently a little bit of information available. Various studies have been conducted and more are underway. Here is a tidbit of information regarding leaky gut.
- Zonulin is currently the only known regulator of intestinal permeability.
- If zonulin is released it can lead to leaky gut syndrome.
- Two things trigger the release of zonulin.
- Bacteria in the intestine.
- Gluten. Conditions such as IBS and celiac disease causes gluten to increase intestinal permeability.
SIBO Symptoms
SIBO symptoms and leaky gut symptoms are somewhat similar and can sometimes be confused for one another even though they don’t exactly match. Let’s take a look at SIBO symptoms and compare them to the leaky gut symptoms above.
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Stomach Ache
- Abdominal Cramping
- Food Triggered Symptoms
The causes of SIBO vary from person to person but it all boils down to an underlying condition. Leaky gut and SIBO can both create some very serious health issues if left untreated so it is important to find the root of either issue and handle it as soon as possible. The sooner any underlying conditions are addressed the sooner you’ll be on the healing path. Leaky gut supplements and SIBO supplements are both natural healing options. SIBO herbal antibiotics or prescription antibiotics will be necessary in order to treat the condition but if the underlying issue is left untreated SIBO relapse is very possible.
If you have SIBO there is a possibility that you could also have leaky gut syndrome but you won’t know until you get it checked out. Just remember, having SIBO doesn’t mean you have leaky gut but the longer you wait the more likely your chances of dealing with both issues become a possibility. You can use an at-home breath test in order to see if you have SIBO and if you test positive, talk to your doctor about the likeliness of you having leaky gut too.