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If you have leaky gut syndrome, there are many supplements as well as other options that may help you feel better.

Leaky gut syndrome has been associated with several chronic conditions , including:

In someone with increased intestinal permeability, those harmful substances may begin to leak through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. This increased intestinal permeability is known as leaky gut syndrome .

The intestinal lining determines what substances can enter the bloodstream from the digestive tract. In a healthy gut, the intestines are resistant to harmful substances.

The supplements below have all shown promising research in the treatment of leaky gut syndrome.

Zinc

Zinc is a necessary element of many metabolic processes and is well-known for its ability to boost the immune system.

A 2001 study found that zinc supplementation helped to strengthen the gut lining in patients with Crohn’s disease.

Research from 2015 suggests that zinc is able to modify the tight junctions of the intestinal lining, helping to limit gut permeability.

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L-glutamine

Glutamine is an important amino acid. In the digestive tract, it’s best known for helping to repair the intestinal lining.

Research from 2015 has shown that glutamine can improve the growth and survival of enterocytes, or intestinal cells. It may also help to regulate the function of the intestinal barrier during stress.

In a small recent study , researchers found that even a low dose of oral glutamine could improve intestinal permeability after strenuous exercise.

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Collagen peptides

Collagen is an important protein that can be found in almost every tissue of the body. It may also play a beneficial role in gut health.

Collagen peptides are a more easily digestible and bioavailable form of collagen. A recent study found that collagen peptides were able to prevent further breakdown of the intestinal lining.

A 2012 study using gelatin tannate, a supplement containing naturally occurring collagen, demonstrated collagen’s anti-inflammatory properties in the gut.

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Probiotics

Probiotics are well-known for their therapeutic use in the management and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. These live microorganisms help to improve the microbiome of the gut, which can have positive system-wide effects.

In a 14-week trial from 2012, researchers investigated the usefulness of a multi-strain probiotic supplement after intense exercise. They found that zonulin, a marker of gut leakage, was significantly lower in the probiotic supplementation group.

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Fiber and butyrate

Dietary fiber is an important component of a healthy diet. Fiber works in a similar way as probiotics to improve the microbiome.

When fiber is fermented by the gut flora, it creates a short-chain amino acid called butyrate. Research from 2015 has suggested that butyrate supplementation may stimulate mucus production and improve tight junctions in the lining of the tract.

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Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL)

Licorice root contains almost 75 bioactive compounds . This includes glycyrrhizin (GL), a compound known for producing adverse effects in humans. DGL is a substance that’s had the GL removed for consumption.

DGL may have various gastric benefits, such as reducing inflammation and increasing mucus production. However, more research is still needed on this supplement for leaky gut syndrome.

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Curcumin

Curcumin is the plant-based compound that gives many familiar spices their bright yellow color — turmeric included. Many of the health benefits of turmeric are due to the presence of its active component: curcumin.

Curcumin itself has poor bioavailability, meaning that it’s poorly absorbed by the body. However, recent research has shown that when curcumin is absorbed, it tends to concentrate in the GI tract. Given its potent anti-inflammatory effects , this may explain why curcumin benefits the lining of the digestive tract.

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Berberine

Berberine is another bioactive plant-based compound that may be beneficial as a leaky gut supplement. This alkaloid has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

Historically, berberine has been used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

In a recent animal study , researchers investigated the use of berberine supplementation in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. They found that berberine was able to alleviate the changes in intestinal mucus in these rats.

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