Leaky Gut Syndrome: Impact on the Skin
Content
1. What is leaky gut?
1.1 Symptoms of leaky gut
1.2 Diagnostic Approaches for Leaky Gut
1.3 Treatment options for leaky gut
2. Skin and Gut Microbiome
2.1 Gut-skin-axis
2.2 Leaky gut and skin
1. What is leaky gut?
Leaky Gut Syndrome describes, as the name suggests, a condition where the intestinal barrier / gut lining becomes more permeable. This more permeable gut wall often results in immune activation and is associated with a disturbed microbiome.
1.1 Symptoms of leaky gut
Leaky Gut Syndrome often manifests through digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas, abdominal pain and discomfort, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, concentration difficulties (“brain fog”), skin issues like acne, eczema, and rosacea, as well as joint pain and systemic immune reactions leading to inflammation. Other associated conditions include psychological symptoms like depression and anxiety, chronic fatigue, autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis), and diabetes (1). Leaky Gut Syndrome can thus affect the entire body.
The Leaky Gut Syndrome has been known since the 1970s in connection with intestinal inflammations, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease, and NSAID-induced ulcers.
1.2 Diagnostic Approaches for Leaky Gut
As of today (December 2024), Leaky Gut Syndrome is not recognized as a distinct medical condition. Therefore, there is no standard test for diagnosing Leaky Gut. However, there are several tests that may indicate increased intestinal permeability: these include the so-called sugar test, zonulin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, I-FABP (intestinal fatty acid-binding protein), and biopsies. You can learn more about these diagnostic tools here.
1.3 Treatment options for leaky gut
A treatment for Leaky Gut should preferably be carried out in collaboration with a doctor or naturopath. A thorough medical history is ideally used as the basis for an individualized treatment plan. Treatment options include dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes such as adequate sleep, regular exercise, and stress management strategies like meditation or yoga.
2. Skin and Gut Microbiome
Both the human gut and skin are populated by microorganisms. However, the composition of the skin and gut microbiomes differs significantly. Both the gut and skin microbiomes vary from person to person. In the gut, bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Enterococcus, Ruminococcus, and many others can be found (2). On the skin, the most common bacteria belong to the genera Cutibacterium (formerly known as Propionibacterium), Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium (3). The skin microbiome also differs depending on the body region, just as the gut microbiome varies according to the section of the gut.
It has long been believed that the skin and gut microbiomes are interconnected.
2.1 Gut-skin-axis
The so-called gut-skin-axis describes the connection between the skin and gut and their microbiomes. The microbiome in the gut influences the immune system in the gut, which then systemically affects the skin and thus the skin microbiome. This interaction works for both healthy skin and a healthy gut, as well as for a disturbed gut flora and, consequently, disturbed skin. A healthy gut flora supports skin health by producing anti-inflammatory substances that modulate the immune system and strengthen the skin’s barrier function. Conversely, disturbances in the gut microbiome, such as dysbiosis, can exacerbate skin conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis. This is how the connection between Leaky Gut and skin changes comes about.
2.2 Leaky gut and skin
In the case of Leaky Gut Syndrome, the intestinal lining becomes more permeable, allowing unwanted substances such as toxins, undigested food particles, and microbes to enter the bloodstream. This leads to systemic inflammation and activates the immune system, which can promote skin conditions like acne, eczema, atopic dermatitis or rosacea. The Gut-Skin Axis illustrates the interaction between the gut and the skin: A disturbed gut microbiome can promote inflammatory processes in the skin, while chronic skin issues may indicate an underlying intestinal barrier dysfunction. (4)
3. Summary
There may be a connection between Leaky Gut and skin changes. The foundation for this is the Gut-Skin-Axis. Measures such as an anti-inflammatory diet, probiotics, and stress reduction can help heal the gut and improve both gut and skin health.
References
- Leech B, McIntyre E, Steel A, Sibbritt D. Risk factors associated with intestinal permeability in an adult population: A systematic review. Int J Clin Pract. 2019 Oct;73(10):e13385. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.13385. Epub 2019 Jul 5. PMID: 31243854.
- Rinninella E, Raoul P, Cintoni M, Franceschi F, Miggiano GAD, Gasbarrini A, Mele MC. What is the Healthy Gut Microbiota Composition? A Changing Ecosystem across Age, Environment, Diet, and Diseases. Microorganisms. 2019 Jan 10;7(1):14. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms7010014. PMID: 30634578; PMCID: PMC6351938.
- Santiago-Rodriguez TM, Le François B, Macklaim JM, Doukhanine E, Hollister EB. The Skin Microbiome: Current Techniques, Challenges, and Future Directions. Microorganisms. 2023 May 6;11(5):1222. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11051222. PMID: 37317196; PMCID: PMC10223452.
- Do NM. From Leaky Gut to Leaky Skin: A Clinical Review of Lifestyle Influences on the Microbiome. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2024 Oct 22:15598276241292605. doi: 10.1177/15598276241292605. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39540169; PMCID: PMC11556587.
