Leaky Gut Check

The lining of the intestine and gut microbiome make the gut highly selective in absorbing specific nutrients. This lining also provides a very tight defensive system that blocks unwanted materials from being absorbed. When this gut lining is compromised, unwanted substances can cross the barrier and activate an immune response. This blood test checks for levels of zonulin, a protein that regulates the traffic of particles through the gut lining. When the body produces too much zonulin, in a condition known as 'leaky gut' or 'intestinal permeability', it lets foreign particles get from the gut into the bloodstream.