Wissenswertes

Leaky gut and histamine: Strengthening the intestinal barrier

Leaky gut primarily describes the condition of "intestinal permeability." This means that the intestinal lining is permeable . This problem allows toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream , triggering an immune response. This blog post will explain what this process does in the body and the connection between leaky gut and histamine intolerance .

Leaky Gut Syndrome: A brief overview of the problem

Leaky gut syndrome primarily affects not the large intestine, but the small intestine . The intestinal lining, which is "leaky" in this condition, acts as a barrier between the intestinal contents and the bloodstream . It is also known as the intestinal barrier . With a healthy intestinal barrier, the lining allows only the necessary nutrients and water to pass through the intestines. However, with a compromised intestinal barrier, as mentioned above, toxins , undigested food particles, and excess histamine from the intestines enter the bloodstream.

Diverse symptoms: Physical and psychological effects of leaky gut

There are many symptoms that can be associated with leaky gut. They are sometimes so varied and individual that they are often not even linked to an unhealthy gut.

Symptoms include:

Chronic joint or muscle pain
Concentration problems
Flatulence
migraine
Mood swings
nervousness
Skin problems such as acne or neurodermatitis
Inflammation
fatigue
Irritable bowel syndrome
Food intolerances
Diarrhea (often alternating with constipation)

Woman lies in bed with her hands over her face

However, if leaky gut syndrome remains untreated for years , it can lead to serious health problems. The body's immune response to fight the foreign substances triggers the release of histamine via mast cells, which then become active. This can lead to inflammation, autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease , or other chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease , or multiple sclerosis (MS).

Causes and risk factors for leaky gut

The causes can arise from a wide variety of factors; the most important include:

Stress – Stressful periods in life can lead to a dysfunction of the intestinal barrier.
Medications – such as antibiotics, attack the intestinal mucosa and thus irritate the intestinal flora.
Unhealthy diet – Too much sugar and isolated carbohydrates (white rice, white flour products, etc.) promotes the development of leaky gut syndrome.
Alcohol – Since it is now known that alcohol can also damage the intestinal barrier, excessive alcohol consumption is also among the possible causes.
Infections – Since bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. in the body can disrupt the balance of the gastrointestinal tract, these are also among the possible causes (especially in connection with incompatible medications).

Leaky Gut Diagnosis: How is the syndrome diagnosed?

There are mainly two different tests used to diagnose LGS.
The first test is the lactulose-mannitol test in urine. Lactulose and mannitol are two sugars that are metabolized in the small intestine. To perform this test, you must drink an aqueous solution of mannitol and lactulose on an empty stomach in the morning.

The urine is then collected over 5 hours and submitted as a pooled urine sample of approximately 20 ml to the laboratory or doctor. About half an hour after drinking the solution, you can drink normally again, and about 3 hours later you can also eat a small snack.

The second test is the zonulin test in the blood serum. An elevated zonulin level in the blood can indicate leaky gut syndrome. In addition to these tests, sIgA levels in stool and the alpha-1 level can also be measured. Low sIgA levels in this case can indicate increased intestinal permeability .

The link between leaky gut and histamine intolerance

Leaky gut syndrome can promote the development of histamine intolerance , as a continuous immune response and elevated inflammatory markers in the body lead to the activation of mast cells and the release of histamine . Furthermore, the histamine-degrading enzyme DAO (diamine oxidase) , located in the intestinal mucosa, plays a crucial role. In the presence of leaky gut syndrome, the production of this enzyme may be impaired or its function may be compromised, further exacerbating the problem.

Interactions between leaky gut and histamine intolerance

Conversely, histamine intolerance can also lead to leaky gut, as food intolerances irritate the intestines and thus trigger inflammation. This is because histamine is an inflammatory mediator , meaning it's a substance produced by the body that can initiate or maintain an inflammatory response. An inflammation-histamine cycle can quickly develop here, which needs to be broken.

Leaky gut: Is it curable?

Fortunately , leaky gut syndrome is treatable . Depending on the individual situation, recovery time can range from several weeks to 18 months. Therefore , patience and consistency are essential when working towards improvement. The treatment duration often depends on the severity and duration of the leaky gut.

Tips for strengthening the intestinal barrier

To strengthen the intestinal barrier, it is recommended to avoid pro-inflammatory foods such as sugar, gluten, and dairy products . Alcohol and caffeine should also be avoided as much as possible . It is more advisable to choose anti-inflammatory foods such as wild blueberries, apples, turmeric, ginger (1), or broccoli.

A low-histamine and anti-inflammatory, alkaline-rich diet with healthy omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed or hemp oil is also very beneficial.
For mental well-being, it is also important to reduce stress and promote relaxation. A quiet walk in the woods or a relaxing breathing exercise could be excellent ways to achieve this.