24/12/2025
PULSE Talk: Leaky Gut, Real Science - Whatโs Hype, Whatโs Proven & What Your Gutโs Really Telling You
โLeaky gutโ is everywhere online โ blamed for bloating, brain fog, fatigue, skin issues and more. But is it a real conditionโฆ or just a catchy buzzword?
Today, we unpack whatโs actually happening when people talk about โleaky gutโ โ from the science of increased intestinal permeability and tight junctions, to how your microbiome, immune system, stress and lifestyle all shape the health of your gut barrier. We also talk through what doesnโt help (overhyped DIY tests, one-pill fixes) and what truly supports healing from the inside out.
๐ก Top 3 Takeaways:
๐งฑ โLeaky Gutโ = A Leaky Filter, Not a Diagnosis [0:31]
Leaky gut isnโt a formal medical diagnosis โ itโs a way of describing increased intestinal permeability. Your gut lining is a smart filter made of cells joined by tight junctions; when those loosen, larger particles (undigested food, bacterial fragments, toxins) can slip into the bloodstream and trigger your immune system.
๐ง When the Gut Leaks, the Body Listens [1:19]
Over 70% of your immune cells sit in and around the gut. Long-term barrier problems can drive low-grade inflammation linked to chronic fatigue, brain fog, and even skin issues like eczema, rosacea and acne. What happens in your gut doesnโt stay in your gut.
๐งฌ Healing Takes Foundations, Not Just One Supplement [2:30]
Some permeability is normal โ the issue is chronic or excessive leakiness. Real support looks like:
- Giving the gut lining building blocks (e.g. zinc, L-glutamine)
- Reducing irritants (overuse of NSAIDs, ultra-processed foods, alcohol)
- Actively managing stress, because cortisol literally signals tight junctions to open.
Itโs a process, not a magic capsule.
โจ Highlight at [3:10]:
Stress isnโt just โin your headโ โ itโs in your gut. Hear how chronic cortisol tells your tight junctions to loosen, and why calming your nervous system is one of the most direct ways to help your gut barrier repair.
๐ง If youโre feeling persistently bloated, tired, inflamed, or โreactive,โ this episode gives you a grounded way to understand what might be happening โ and why itโs so important to work with a healthcare professional rather than relying on random online tests or quick fixes.
For personalised support, you can always talk to your doctor or visit your nearest Alpro Pharmacy for guidance tailored to your body.
