Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut) Check

The lining of the intestine and gut microbiome make the gut highly selective in absorbing specific nutrients. When this gut lining is compromised, unwanted substances can cross the barrier and activate an immune response. The test works on the principle that small molecules are readily absorbed by the gut and excreted in the urine, whilst larger molecules are not. Under normal circumstances the ratio of large molecules to small molecules is low. Where ‘leaky gut’ is present, the larger molecules are found to penetrate the gut lining and are detected in the urine.