Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are complicated and an extremely difficult condition to handle. The high levels of blood glucose caused by diabetes can lead to several other problems in the body of the diabetic patients. One such problem is the problem of a leaky gut or intestinal permeability as it is so called. Diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes is known to have a strong connection with the condition of leaky gut. We shall analyze this relationship further in the article that follows. So, come and join in for the article “Leaky Gut and Diabetes: What’s the Connection?”

What is a Leaky Gut and What Are Its Symptoms?

The leaky gut condition is also known as “intestinal permeability.” In this condition, the lining of the intestine becomes permeable. In a person who is healthy, the cells of the intestine are held close together and the glucose from the various food that we eat is absorbed by the cells to produce the much-needed energy in the body. However, if you are someone who is suffering from a leaky gut problem, you will have spaces between these cells. These spaces enable bacteria, toxins, as well as various allergy-causing substances to enter the small intestine, causing various problems and complications.

When you have a leaky gut, you tend to experience the following warning signs:

• Bloating and an acute abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Skin Rashes
• It also causes the joints and muscles to pain
• You tend to experience a lot of fatigue

Relationship Between Diabetes and Leaky Gut

Several types of research conducted by various experts over the years have found out the strong link between leaky gut and diabetes.

• Type 1 diabetes is mainly considered to be an autoimmune disease in which the immunity of the body weakens. As a result, the immune system of the body attacks its own cells by mistake. Thus, the cells and tissues of the intestinal tract are damaged that leads to a leaky gut.
• Studies conducted by experts have also suggested that the gut of the people who suffer from chronic illness such as type 1 diabetes do not have an adequate number of healthy microbes in their body. Not only that, the bodies of type 1 diabetes patients also lack the variety of different species of microbes that are present in the body of healthy individuals. The diversity of microbial species plays a crucial role in promoting the gut health.
• In fact, one of the studies that the researchers have conducted strongly support the absence of important microbes in diabetes type 1 patients. The study clearly indicates that the type 1 diabetes children have lower amounts of three different bacteria when compared to their healthy counterparts. These bacteria are highly helpful in a healthy gut promotion and include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Clostridium.
• Another study conducted on the same lines as above, also showed that in people who suffer from type 1 diabetes, the ratio of the bacteria Firmicultes to Bacteroidetes was different as compared to the people who did not have diabetes. This could be another reason which could be linked with higher blood glucose levels in the diabetes patients
• The permeability of bacteria and other microbes in the gut of a diabetes patient is far more as compared to that in a healthy individual. Because of this reason, a few bacteria and microbes which should not be allowed inside the intestinal tract actually tend to seep in. This process causes the problem of inflammation. This problem is also further linked to the problem of the absence of healthy microbes that is usually seen in the case of type 1 diabetes.

Thus, as per many studies conducted, diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes is hugely responsible for the promotion of a leaky gut in the diabetes patients. However, further studies are also going on to bring forth the strong connection between diabetes and a leaky gut.

Treatment of a Leaky Gut

When you have a condition like a leaky gut, you can suffer from various problems such as liver disease, acne, arthritis, several allergies, asthma, migraine, eczema, depression, and other health conditions. Hence, it is imperative that you take important measures to control the problem of leaky gut.

Following are a few steps that you can take in case you experience a leaky gut:

• You should include a lot of fresh fruits and green, leafy vegetables in your everyday diet
• Go for healthy sources of fat, such as olive oil
• Consider food options that have a lot of fiber in them
• Quit smoking or drinking alcohol
• Limit the total consumption of caffeine
• Do not go for processed food products
• You can also take a probiotic supplement in order to treat or restore the healthy microbes which are so important for your body

We hope that the above article has been helpful in improving your understanding of the condition of a leaky gut and how the problem is related to diabetes. There is a strong relationship between diabetes and leaky gut. However, research is still being conducted to study this connection further and to assess the possibility that whether the onset of type 1 diabetes can be delayed by restoring the essential microbes and bacteria in the gut lining of an individual. The same would be a real significant finding and the total number of people who suffer from the chronic illness will drastically come down!!