Nutrition For Mortals Is Leaky Gut Real?
Oct 1, 2025
Explore the buzz around leaky gut and its rising claims in gut health circles. Discover how sensationalized social media narratives may mislead those seeking solutions for their symptoms. The hosts dissect the origins of these claims, including the controversial Wakefield study, and discuss restrictive diets like AIP and GAPS. They emphasize the lack of solid evidence connecting leaky gut to various conditions and caution against unreliable testing and harmful advice. For anyone facing gut issues, seeking professional guidance is imperative.
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What 'Leaky Gut' Actually Means
- 'Leaky gut' refers to increased intestinal permeability, meaning the small intestine lets through things it normally shouldn't.
- This can let harmful bacteria or toxins enter the bloodstream and potentially trigger immune responses.
Wakefield Fueled Gut Panic
- The Wakefield 1998 paper popularized gut-permeability fears but was later discredited and retracted.
- Wakefield falsified data and had conflicts of interest, yet his work helped mainstream 'leaky gut' fears.
Origins And Limits Of GAPS and AIP
- Diets like GAPS and AIP arose from the belief that gut healing cures neurological and autoimmune conditions.
- Both diets are highly restrictive and lack robust clinical evidence for their sweeping claims.