Researchers at the University of South Florida have identified probiotic therapy as a potential aid for leaky gut syndrome, a condition characterized by increased intestinal permeability. The findings were reported in a scientific journal focused on bowel health.
Leaky gut occurs when the lining of the intestines becomes more porous, allowing water and nutrients to pass through the gut wall more easily. This permeability can trigger local inflammation, alter the balance of gut microbes, and disrupt the digestive system’s normal function.
In a new study, biologists investigated the metabolites produced by the gut ecosystem in mice. They observed that in obesity, the gut microbiota showed reduced capacity to metabolize ethanolamine, causing this compound to build up. The researchers noted that such accumulation may contribute to a cascade of problems, including heightened intestinal permeability, sustained inflammation, and impaired glucose processing.
Remarkably, these adverse changes appeared to reverse after administering a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Earlier work has reinforced the idea that the human gut hosts trillions of microorganisms that play vital roles in digestion, drug processing, and defending against pathogens. The authors also highlighted a link between alterations in gut microbiota and certain brain conditions, including associations with cognitive disorders observed in other studies.
Additional lines of inquiry touch on how ancient scientists long debated the connection between mood disorders and gut health, suggesting that the gut–brain axis has deep historical roots and modern implications for understanding wellbeing and disease management.