Leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, occurs when the tight junctions between cells in the small intestine loosen. This can allow larger molecules, like undigested food particles, bacterial fragments, and toxins to enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response and low-grade inflammation.
Over time, this inflammation can disrupt gut function and has been linked to conditions like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and autoimmune disorders, though it’s still unclear whether leaky gut is a cause or a consequence.
A key player in this cycle is zonulin, a protein that regulates tight junctions and is both a marker and potential driver of intestinal permeability and inflammation 1. When zonulin levels rise—often in response to gut triggers like inflammation or dysbiosis (imbalanced but bacteria) 2—they may further weaken the intestinal barrier, perpetuating a cycle of inflammation and excessive leakiness 3.
The good news is that taking simple steps toward gut healing, which I’ll talk about later, can resolve a leaky gut and the symptoms that go along with it. To learn more about what a leaky gut is, see What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
A number of diet and lifestyle factors may contribute to a leaky gut. Understanding what these are can help you take steps to reverse or avoid them.
Poor Diet and Inflammatory Foods
Frequent intake of ultra-processed foods—often low in fiber and high in additives—can damage the gut lining and promote inflammation 12. Diets high in saturated fats may also disrupt the gut microbiome and worsen permeability 13.
Alcohol
Even moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to impair gut barrier integrity and increase intestinal permeability 14.
Stress
Chronic psychological stress disrupts the gut-brain axis and can weaken the intestinal lining over time 15.
Poor Sleep
Sleep quality directly affects circadian rhythms that help regulate gut health. Ongoing poor or insufficient sleep is associated with increased intestinal permeability 16.
NSAID Overuse
Regular use of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) has been shown to erode the gut lining and increase permeability 17.
Infections and Inflammation
Underlying infections or chronic diseases that create systemic inflammation can also impair gut barrier function 18.
Gut Imbalance (Dysbiosis), SIBO, and Zonulin
Disruptions of the gut microbiome—from things like dysbiosis (imbalanced gut microbes) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)—is commonly associated with leaky gut 819. One of the main regulators in this process is zonulin, a protein that loosens tight junctions in the intestinal lining. Zonulin is increased by inflammation and dysbiosis and contributes directly to intestinal permeability 123.
Associated Conditions
Although it’s not always clear whether leaky gut causes or results from other conditions, increased intestinal permeability has been linked to:
Any strategy to support and restore a poorly working digestive system should indirectly address a leaky gut. Here is a list of leaky gut diet, supplement, and lifestyle strategies we use in the clinic to help heal intestinal permeability:
Eating to Heal Leaky Gut
Cleaning up the diet can help heal a leaky gut because certain foods may inflame the gut.
Though many possible healing dietary options exist, the most important strategy is to pick an anti-inflammatory diet that works for you—something that’s sustainable and not overly restrictive so you’ll enjoy and stick to it.
For example, the following science-backed diets may be supportive while healing a leaky gut:
Low FODMAP diet: An excellent choice for people with IBS, this diet reduces gut irritants and may help decrease bacterial toxins and zonulin 25
Mediterranean diet: This well-researched diet provides a wide array of nutrients that may reduce bacterial toxins and zonulin while increasing gut supports like short-chain fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids 26
Gluten-free diet: For those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, avoiding gluten may lower zonulin and help relieve digestive symptoms, fatigue, anxiety, and joint pain 27
Many people see solid gut health improvements by simply starting with a Mediterranean diet. If symptoms persist after a month, adding a more specific plan like low FODMAP (and gluten-free if you have NCGS) can help move things forward. But when issues still linger after several weeks on more specialized diets, I often recommend trying an elemental diet to reset the gut.
An elemental diet is a potent, short-term option that can calm gut inflammation and support recovery from conditions like Crohn’s, SIBO-related IBS, and rheumatoid arthritis 282930.
And a quick reminder—progress matters more than perfection. Being consistent with your diet 80% of the time is usually enough to see real results.
Supportive Foods for Leaky Gut
We like to give our clients the option of experimenting with several foods known to be supportive for healing leaky gut. As with all dietary advice, it’s important to make sure these foods agree with you before eating them frequently.
Here is a quick list of leaky gut-supportive foods with science-backed benefits:
Food
Benefit
Fiber
In a meta-analysis, critically ill people given dietary fiber supplements had modest improvements in gut barrier function, inflammation, and hospital stay 31.
Polyphenol-rich foods like berries, blood oranges, pomegranate juice, and green tea
In a randomized controlled trial, three servings a day reduced zonulin and increased beneficial bacteria 32.
Dark chocolate (also rich in polyphenols)
In a randomized controlled trial, 40 g/day of 85% cocoa for a month reduced intestinal permeability caused by regular intense exercise 33.
Kefir
A clinical trial showed that overweight adults who ate 10 oz of kefir per day for 3 weeks had reduced zonulin 34.
Collagen
Though only cell and animal research suggest that collagen has the potential to reduce leaky gut and inflammation 3536, we find it helpful for treating leaky gut in the clinic.
Some foods may have an inflammatory effect on the gut lining and may contribute to leaky gut. We tell our clients about the following types of foods to experiment with removing or reducing, at least temporarily while they work on healing leaky gut:
Food
Why It May Be Inflammatory
High FODMAP Foods(Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols)
High in fermentable carbohydrates that can irritate your gut and possibly increase zonulin 25
Gluten
May increase zonulin and is often in high FODMAP foods 27
Artificial or Processed Foods
Can irritate your gut and is often high in FODMAPs
Dairy Products
High in lactose, a FODMAP
Supplements and Nutrients to Heal Leaky Gut
Many supplements claim to support gut health, but only a few stand out for their consistent benefits in both clinical research and practice. Based on the latest evidence and what I’ve seen work for my clients, here are five of the most effective supplements for gut barrier integrity and overall digestive health:
Probiotics, especially blends with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, can lower inflammation, reduce harmful bacterial toxins, and support healthy gut bacteria 3738.
Bovine colostrum looks promising—about 80% of studies in a review showed it helped improve a leaky gut 39.
Immunoglobulins have been shown to reduce gut leakiness and inflammation—in one high-quality study, HIV patients who took them for 6 months saw clear benefits 40.
Glutamine can strengthen the gut lining and ease symptoms. One study found it helped 80% of people feel better 41.
Zinc may help strengthen the gut lining by increasing tight junction proteins 42. One study found that people who did intense exercise had a 3-fold increase in gut permeability. But after taking zinc carnosine for 14 days, that increase was reduced by 70% 43. Though supplements may help, the best way to get zinc is through food sources like oysters, beef, crab, oats, pumpkin seeds, pork, lentils, and sardines 44.
With so many gut-health products out there, it’s hard to know what really works. And juggling five or more different supplements can be both costly and overwhelming. That’s why—after seeing how often my clients struggled with this—my team and I decided to develop our own versions of the most effective options, including:
For a more thorough discussion of supplements we use to help heal leaky gut, see Leaky Gut Supplements.
Lifestyle Changes to Heal Leaky Gut
In addition to the diet and supplements that help heal a leaky gut, the following lifestyle changes may help speed up the leaky gut healing process and promote a healthy gut.
Here is a summary of the lifestyle modifications that may have an impact on leaky gut:
Moderate exercise that lasts less than an hour can help heal a leaky gut. But pushing too hard or working out for over an hour can make things worse 45.
Getting regular, high-quality sleep may help prevent a leaky gut 16.
Improve your stress management
Keeping stress in check is key to keeping your gut healthy. Simple habits like mindfulness can calm inflammation and strengthen your immune system—both of which can help protect or repair a leaky gut 46.
Research shows that NSAIDs and aspirin can damage the intestinal lining and contribute to leaky gut 17.
Consider different contraceptives than birth control pills
People who take oral contraceptives (birth control pills) may be more likely to have more gut permeability than those with natural menstrual cycles and men 47.
How Long Does It Take to Heal a Leaky Gut?
The timeline for healing a leaky gut varies from person to person. But with the right approach, many people begin to see meaningful improvements within just a few weeks.
For example, the following studies of various leaky gut treatments have shown how long it may take to see results:
A meta-analysis showed that taking probiotics for at least 12 weeks can reduce leaky gut markers 48.
Those eating a low FODMAP, Mediterranean, or gluten-free diet have shown reductions in leaky gut markers in 3–6 months252627.
Several studies have found that elemental diets can reduce markers of intestinal permeability in as little as 3 weeks to 3 months49505152.
When my clients start to feel impatient, I remind them to stay the course and don’t underestimate how quickly your body can respond when given the right support.
If you follow the strategies here and in Leaky Gut Diet Plan and Leaky Gut Supplements, you may start noticing results sooner than expected. Even small, consistent improvements to your diet and lifestyle can bring gradual relief and begin to repair the gut lining.
The Bottom Line
Healing a leaky gut doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a focused, evidence-based approach, meaningful improvement is absolutely within reach. We find it helps the most to:
Eat an anti-inflammatory, gut-friendly diet tailored to your needs.
Incorporate key nutrients and supplements that support gut lining repair.
Make simple lifestyle changes (improving sleep and managing stress) that protect your gut health in the long term.
The path to a healthier gut is clear—and you don’t have to walk it alone. Whatever symptoms are troubling you, download our free Gut Reset Guide to get step-by-step recommendations, food lists, and supplement strategies you can start using to feel better.If you’re looking for personalized help, our functional medicine clinic is here to support you with advanced testing, proven protocols, and a compassionate, patient-centered team.
Dr. Michael Ruscio is a DC, natural health provider, researcher, and clinician. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bridgeport and has published numerous papers in scientific journals as well as the book Healthy Gut, Healthy You. He also founded the Ruscio Institute of Functional Health, where he helps patients with a wide range of GI conditions and serves as the Head of Research.
➕ References
Fasano A. All disease begins in the (leaky) gut: role of zonulin-mediated gut permeability in the pathogenesis of some chronic inflammatory diseases. [version 1; peer review: 3 approved]. F1000Res. 2020 Jan 31;9. DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20510.1. PMID: 32051759. PMCID: PMC6996528.
Ramezani Ahmadi A, Sadeghian M, Alipour M, Ahmadi Taheri S, Rahmani S, Abbasnezhad A. The Effects of Probiotic/Synbiotic on Serum Level of Zonulin as a Biomarker of Intestinal Permeability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Iran J Public Health. 2020 Jul;49(7):1222–31. DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v49i7.3575. PMID: 33083288. PMCID: PMC7548501.
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. PMID: 31243854.
Puthanmadhom Narayanan S, O’Brien DR, Sharma M, Smyrk TC, Graham RP, Grover M, et al. Duodenal mucosal barrier in functional dyspepsia. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 May;20(5):1019-1028.e3. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.09.029. PMID: 34607017. PMCID: PMC8975906.
Safadi JM, Quinton AMG, Lennox BR, Burnet PWJ, Minichino A. Gut dysbiosis in severe mental illness and chronic fatigue: a novel trans-diagnostic construct? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry. 2022 Jan;27(1):141–53. DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01032-1. PMID: 33558650. PMCID: PMC8960409.
Giloteaux L, Goodrich JK, Walters WA, Levine SM, Ley RE, Hanson MR. Reduced diversity and altered composition of the gut microbiome in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Microbiome. 2016 Jun 23;4(1):30. DOI: 10.1186/s40168-016-0171-4. PMID: 27338587. PMCID: PMC4918027.
Tajik N, Frech M, Schulz O, Schälter F, Lucas S, Azizov V, et al. Targeting zonulin and intestinal epithelial barrier function to prevent onset of arthritis. Nat Commun. 2020 Apr 24;11(1):1995. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15831-7. PMID: 32332732. PMCID: PMC7181728.
Gasmi A, Mujawdiya PK, Pivina L, Doşa A, Semenova Y, Benahmed AG, et al. Relationship between Gut Microbiota, Gut Hyperpermeability and Obesity. Curr Med Chem. 2021;28(4):827–39. DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200721160313. PMID: 32693755.
Wang B, Duan R, Duan L. Prevalence of sleep disorder in irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2018 Jun;24(3):141–50. DOI: 10.4103/sjg.SJG_603_17. PMID: 29652034. PMCID: PMC5985632.
Portincasa P, Bonfrate L, Khalil M, Angelis MD, Calabrese FM, D’Amato M, et al. Intestinal barrier and permeability in health, obesity and NAFLD. Biomedicines. 2021 Dec 31;10(1). DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010083. PMID: 35052763. PMCID: PMC8773010.
Berin MC. Dysbiosis in food allergy and implications for microbial therapeutics. J Clin Invest. 2021 Jan 19;131(2). DOI: 10.1172/JCI144994. PMID: 33463542. PMCID: PMC7810494.
Whelan K, Bancil AS, Lindsay JO, Chassaing B. Ultra-processed foods and food additives in gut health and disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Jun;21(6):406–27. DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00893-5. PMID: 38388570.
Harte AL, Varma MC, Tripathi G, McGee KC, Al-Daghri NM, Al-Attas OS, et al. High fat intake leads to acute postprandial exposure to circulating endotoxin in type 2 diabetic subjects. Diabetes Care. 2012 Feb;35(2):375–82. DOI: 10.2337/dc11-1593. PMID: 22210577. PMCID: PMC3263907.
Elamin E, Masclee A, Troost F, Pieters H-J, Keszthelyi D, Aleksa K, et al. Ethanol impairs intestinal barrier function in humans through mitogen activated protein kinase signaling: a combined in vivo and in vitro approach. PLoS ONE. 2014 Sep 16;9(9):e107421. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107421. PMID: 25226407. PMCID: PMC4165763.
Barrett TJ, Corr EM, van Solingen C, Schlamp F, Brown EJ, Koelwyn GJ, et al. Chronic stress primes innate immune responses in mice and humans. Cell Rep. 2021 Sep 7;36(10):109595. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109595. PMID: 34496250. PMCID: PMC8493594.
Morwani-Mangnani J, Giannos P, Belzer C, Beekman M, Eline Slagboom P, Prokopidis K. Gut microbiome changes due to sleep disruption in older and younger individuals: a case for sarcopenia? Sleep. 2022 Dec 12;45(12). DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac239. PMID: 36183306. PMCID: PMC9742900.
Utzeri E, Usai P. Role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on intestinal permeability and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2017 Jun 14;23(22):3954–63. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i22.3954. PMID: 28652650. PMCID: PMC5473116.
Dmytriv TR, Storey KB, Lushchak VI. Intestinal barrier permeability: the influence of gut microbiota, nutrition, and exercise. Front Physiol. 2024 Jul 8;15:1380713. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1380713. PMID: 39040079. PMCID: PMC11260943.
Souza C, Rocha R, Cotrim HP. Diet and intestinal bacterial overgrowth: Is there evidence? World J Clin Cases. 2022 May 26;10(15):4713–6. DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i15.4713. PMID: 35801041. PMCID: PMC9198866.
Peruhova M, Mihova A, Altankova I, Velikova T. Specific Immunoglobulin E and G to Common Food Antigens and Increased Serum Zonulin in IBS Patients: A Single-Center Bulgarian Study. Antibodies (Basel). 2022 Mar 29;11(2). DOI: 10.3390/antib11020023. PMID: 35466276. PMCID: PMC9036216.
Singh P, Silvester J, Chen X, Xu H, Sawhney V, Rangan V, et al. Serum zonulin is elevated in IBS and correlates with stool frequency in IBS-D. United European Gastroenterol J. 2019 Jun;7(5):709–15. DOI: 10.1177/2050640619826419. PMID: 31210949. PMCID: PMC6545708.
Aleman RS, Moncada M, Aryana KJ. Leaky gut and the ingredients that help treat it: A review. Molecules. 2023 Jan 7;28(2). DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020619. PMID: 36677677. PMCID: PMC9862683.
Gan J, Nazarian S, Teare J, Darzi A, Ashrafian H, Thompson AJ. A case for improved assessment of gut permeability: a meta-analysis quantifying the lactulose:mannitol ratio in coeliac and Crohn’s disease. BMC Gastroenterol. 2022 Jan 10;22(1):16. DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-02082-z. PMID: 35012471. PMCID: PMC8751358.
Wang X, Liu G-J, Gao Q, Li N, Wang R-T. C-type lectin-like receptor 2 and zonulin are associated with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Acta Neurol Scand. 2020 Mar;141(3):250–5. DOI: 10.1111/ane.13196. PMID: 31715011.
Prospero L, Riezzo G, Linsalata M, Orlando A, D’Attoma B, Russo F. Psychological and Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Undergoing a Low-FODMAP Diet: The Role of the Intestinal Barrier. Nutrients. 2021 Jul 19;13(7). DOI: 10.3390/nu13072469. PMID: 34371976. PMCID: PMC8308851.
Seethaler B, Lehnert K, Yahiaoui-Doktor M, Basrai M, Vetter W, Kiechle M, et al. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improve intestinal barrier integrity-albeit to a lesser degree than short-chain fatty acids: an exploratory analysis of the randomized controlled LIBRE trial. Eur J Nutr. 2023 Oct;62(7):2779–91. DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03172-2. PMID: 37318580. PMCID: PMC10468946.
Barbaro MR, Cremon C, Morselli-Labate AM, Di Sabatino A, Giuffrida P, Corazza GR, et al. Serum zonulin and its diagnostic performance in non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Gut. 2020 Nov;69(11):1966–74. DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-319281. PMID: 32060130.
Narula N, Dhillon A, Zhang D, Sherlock ME, Tondeur M, Zachos M. Enteral nutritional therapy for induction of remission in Crohn’s disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Apr 1;4(4):CD000542. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000542.pub3. PMID: 29607496. PMCID: PMC6494406.
Pimentel M, Constantino T, Kong Y, Bajwa M, Rezaei A, Park S. A 14-day elemental diet is highly effective in normalizing the lactulose breath test. Dig Dis Sci. 2004 Jan;49(1):73–7. DOI: 10.1023/b:ddas.0000011605.43979.e1. PMID: 14992438.
Podas T, Nightingale JMD, Oldham R, Roy S, Sheehan NJ, Mayberry JF. Is rheumatoid arthritis a disease that starts in the intestine? A pilot study comparing an elemental diet with oral prednisolone. Postgrad Med J. 2007 Feb;83(976):128–31. DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.2006.050245. PMID: 17308218. PMCID: PMC2805936.
Liu T, Wang C, Wang Y-Y, Wang L-L, Ojo O, Feng Q-Q, et al. Effect of dietary fiber on gut barrier function, gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, inflammation, and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2022 Jul;46(5):997–1010. DOI: 10.1002/jpen.2319. PMID: 34951702.
Del Bo’ C, Bernardi S, Cherubini A, Porrini M, Gargari G, Hidalgo-Liberona N, et al. A polyphenol-rich dietary pattern improves intestinal permeability, evaluated as serum zonulin levels, in older subjects: The MaPLE randomised controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2021 May;40(5):3006–18. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2020.12.014. PMID: 33388204.
Nocella C, Cavarretta E, Fossati C, Pigozzi F, Quaranta F, Peruzzi M, et al. Dark chocolate intake positively modulates gut permeability in elite football athletes: A randomized controlled study. Nutrients. 2023 Sep 28;15(19). DOI: 10.3390/nu15194203. PMID: 37836487. PMCID: PMC10574486.
Pražnikar ZJ, Kenig S, Vardjan T, Bizjak MČ, Petelin A. Effects of kefir or milk supplementation on zonulin in overweight subjects. J Dairy Sci. 2020 May;103(5):3961–70. DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17696. PMID: 32171508.
Chen Q, Chen O, Martins IM, Hou H, Zhao X, Blumberg JB, et al. Collagen peptides ameliorate intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in immunostimulatory Caco-2 cell monolayers via enhancing tight junctions. Food Funct. 2017 Mar 22;8(3):1144–51. DOI: 10.1039/c6fo01347c. PMID: 28174772.
Song W, Chen Q, Wang Y, Han Y, Zhang H, Li B. Identification and Structure-Activity Relationship of Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function Protective Collagen Peptides from Alaska Pollock Skin. Mar Drugs. 2019 Jul 31;17(8). DOI: 10.3390/md17080450. PMID: 31370332. PMCID: PMC6723256.
Zheng Y, Zhang Z, Tang P, Wu Y, Zhang A, Li D, et al. Probiotics fortify intestinal barrier function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Front Immunol. 2023 Apr 24;14:1143548. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1143548. PMID: 37168869. PMCID: PMC10165082.
Ait Abdellah S, Gal C, Laterza L, Velenza V, Settanni CR, Napoli M, et al. Effect of a Multistrain Probiotic on Leaky Gut in Patients with Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Study. Dig Dis. 2023;41(3):489–99. DOI: 10.1159/000526712. PMID: 36007493. PMCID: PMC10906476.
Hajihashemi P, Haghighatdoost F, Kassaian N, Hoveida L, Tamizifar B, Nili H, et al. Bovine Colostrum in Increased Intestinal Permeability in Healthy Athletes and Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Dig Dis Sci. 2024 Apr;69(4):1345–60. DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-08219-2. PMID: 38361147.
Utay NS, Somasunderam A, Hinkle JE, Petschow BW, Detzel CJ, Somsouk M, et al. Serum Bovine Immunoglobulins Improve Inflammation and Gut Barrier Function in Persons with HIV and Enteropathy on Suppressive ART. Pathog Immun. 2019 May 3;4(1):124–46. DOI: 10.20411/pai.v4i1.276. PMID: 31139758. PMCID: PMC6508431.
Zhou Q, Verne ML, Fields JZ, Lefante JJ, Basra S, Salameh H, et al. Randomised placebo-controlled trial of dietary glutamine supplements for postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome. Gut. 2019 Jun;68(6):996–1002. DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-315136. PMID: 30108163. PMCID: PMC9549483.
Wan Y, Zhang B. The impact of zinc and zinc homeostasis on the intestinal mucosal barrier and intestinal diseases. Biomolecules. 2022 Jun 27;12(7). DOI: 10.3390/biom12070900. PMID: 35883455. PMCID: PMC9313088.
Davison G, Marchbank T, March DS, Thatcher R, Playford RJ. Zinc carnosine works with bovine colostrum in truncating heavy exercise-induced increase in gut permeability in healthy volunteers. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Aug;104(2):526–36. DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.116.134403. PMID: 27357095.
Ribeiro FM, Petriz B, Marques G, Kamilla LH, Franco OL. Is There an Exercise-Intensity Threshold Capable of Avoiding the Leaky Gut? Front Nutr. 2021 Mar 8;8:627289. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.627289. PMID: 33763441. PMCID: PMC7982409.
Dunn TJ, Dimolareva M. The effect of mindfulness-based interventions on immunity-related biomarkers: a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clin Psychol Rev. 2022 Mar;92:102124. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102124. PMID: 35078038.
Flood TR, Kuennen MR, Blacker SD, Myers SD, Walker EF, Lee BJ. The effect of sex, menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptive use on intestinal permeability and ex-vivo monocyte TNFα release following treatment with lipopolysaccharide and hyperthermia. Cytokine. 2022 Oct;158:155991. DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155991. PMID: 35944412.
Ghorbani Z, Shoaibinobarian N, Noormohammadi M, Taylor K, Kazemi A, Bonyad A, et al. Reinforcing gut integrity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials assessing probiotics, synbiotics, and prebiotics on intestinal permeability markers. Pharmacol Res. 2025 Jun;216:107780. DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2025.107780. PMID: 40378939.
Geng S-T, Zhang J-B, Wang Y-X, Xu Y, Lu D, Zhang Z, et al. Pre-Digested Protein Enteral Nutritional Supplementation Enhances Recovery of CD4+ T Cells and Repair of Intestinal Barrier in HIV-Infected Immunological Non-Responders. Front Immunol. 2021 Dec 24;12:757935. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.757935. PMID: 35003070. PMCID: PMC8741150.
Levine A, Wine E, Assa A, Sigall Boneh R, Shaoul R, Kori M, et al. Crohn’s disease exclusion diet plus partial enteral nutrition induces sustained remission in a randomized controlled trial. Gastroenterology. 2019 Aug;157(2):440-450.e8. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.04.021. PMID: 31170412.
Rolandsdotter H, Jönsson-Videsäter K, L Fagerberg U, Finkel Y, Eberhardson M. Exclusive enteral nutrition: clinical effects and changes in mucosal cytokine profile in pediatric new inflammatory bowel disease. Nutrients. 2019 Feb 15;11(2). DOI: 10.3390/nu11020414. PMID: 30781421. PMCID: PMC6412217.
Borrelli O, Cordischi L, Cirulli M, Paganelli M, Labalestra V, Uccini S, et al. Polymeric diet alone versus corticosteroids in the treatment of active pediatric Crohn’s disease: a randomized controlled open-label trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Jun;4(6):744–53. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2006.03.010. PMID: 16682258.
I care about answering your questions and sharing my knowledge with you. Leave a comment or connect with me on social media asking any health question you may have and I just might incorporate it into our next listener questions podcast episode just for you!
Transform your health
Every product is science-based, validated by real-world use, and personally vetted by Dr. Ruscio, DC.
Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC on
June 19, 2025
Kellie Blake
Discussion
I care about answering your questions and sharing my knowledge with you. Leave a comment or connect with me on social media asking any health question you may have and I just might incorporate it into our next listener questions podcast episode just for you!