Lupus and Leaky Gut Syndrome
Gut health has increasingly become an important focus for many autoimmune conditions, like lupus – and leaky gut syndrome is one of the more controversial areas in that research. Can it cause lupus? Can it be treated, and what could it mean for you? Read on to find out!
- Introduction
- The Science of Leaky Gut and Lupus
- Ways to Support Your Gut Health and Feel Better
- In Conclusion
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Introduction
Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease – it can affect many parts of the body and it can have many triggers. In recent years, the digestive tract and gut health have become areas of intense research for both the possible causes and effects of several autoimmune conditions, including lupus.
“Leaky gut syndrome,” also referred to as “increased intestinal permeability,” is one such area of research. It has been a topic of interest in complementary/alternative medicine for years, but has only recently been acknowledged in the conventional medical community. So, there is still a great deal of research that needs to be done.
Simply put, “leaky gut” means the lining of your intestinal tract is not working as well as it should. When this happens, tiny holes can let bacteria, toxins, or even bits of food into your bloodstream. The slow leaking of these foreign “invaders” may confuse your immune system, thinking that there is an infection, leading to inflammation and possibly an autoimmune response.
Increase in intestinal permeability has been shown to play a role in several other conditions, including celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and possibly autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and of course lupus.
How and why? Well, that requires a bit more science!
The Science of Leaky Gut and Lupus
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What is a “leaky gut?”
Your intestines are lined with cells that have to do two somewhat opposing things very well:
- Absorb the good stuff (nutrients, water, etc.) and get them to your blood stream for your body to use, and
- Keep the bad stuff (toxins, bacteria, undigested food, etc.) from getting into your blood stream and causing problems.
Normally, these cells do their job very well by sticking very close together using what are called “tight junctions.” However, if these tight junctions become weak, they can allow microscopic food particles, toxins, viruses, bacteria or even parts of bacteria to enter the blood stream.
This can happen occasionally, even in healthy people, and usually these “foreign invaders” are dealt with by the immune system without the person even noticing anything. However, if the leaky gut condition is chronic or if the individual is genetically hypersensitive to these “foreign invaders,” the immune system may over-react and even trigger an autoimmune response.
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What causes leaky gut?
There is a growing list of factors that seem to lead to weaking those tight junctions and to increasing the permeability of a person’s intestinal tract. They include:
- Changes in the gut’s microbiome
- Stress
- Diet
- Infections
- Medications
The tricky thing is that each of these can also affect the others, creating complex chains of events that might lead to leaks and the autoimmune response. For example, a change in diet or medications might affect the bacteria in the gut’s microbiome and this may lead to increased permeability.
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Regarding the Microbiome: Studies have shown that people with lupus often have an imbalance in their gut bacteria.
- For example, lupus patients tend to have more of a type of bacteria called Ruminococcus gnavus, especially during flares. How much this may cause lupus symptoms or are the result of lupus symptoms is still not known.
- Sometimes, bacteria in the gut can look a little too much like your own body’s tissues. If fragments of these bacteria enter the blood, the immune system may react and accidentally start attacking parts of the body that look similar. This process is called molecular mimicry, and it is believed to play a role in autoimmune diseases like lupus.
- In 2018, researchers found that a gut bacteria, Enterococcus gallinarum, could escape the digestive tract to the blood stream and then to the liver and lymph nodes where it could hide out for years, and possibly trigger an autoimmune response.
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Regarding Diet:
- Alcohol and high levels of sugar or unsaturated fats have been shown to increase intestinal permeability and in the case of sugar, increase inflammation.
- In 2015, scientists found that many modern food additives could affect the tight junctions of intestinal cells and lead to a leaky gut.
- Some lectins, a type of protein that is found in many beans and grains (like wheat and oats), have been found to attack both the intestinal lining and possibly tight junctions, leading to bloating, abdominal pain and leaky gut symptoms.
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Regarding Medications:
Research has shown that some medications can affect both the gut microbiome and increasing intestinal permeability. These include some that are common for those living with lupus, such as:
- Corticosteroids,
- Chemotherapy drugs and
- Aspirin and NSAIDs.
Regarding these medications, they would not cause lupus, but they could increase the severity of inflammation and flare symptoms.
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Ways to Support Your Gut and Feel Better
Probiotics and Friendly Bacteria
Probiotics are “good” bacteria that you can take as supplements or get from certain foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables. While the effectiveness of probiotics is controversial and they are not regulated by the FDA, they can help balance your gut microbiome and keep the harmful bacteria in check.
Some early studies suggest that probiotics may help reduce inflammation and support the immune system in people with autoimmune diseases. While more research is still needed, many people with lupus find probiotics helpful for digestion and overall wellness.
Medications That Can Help the Gut
Some medications are being studied for their ability to repair the gut lining or reduce gut-related inflammation in lupus patients. For example:
- Larazotide acetate is a drug that helps tighten the gaps in the gut lining, making it less leaky.
- Metformin, a common diabetes drug, has shown some promise in reducing inflammation and improving gut health in lupus.
Always, talk to your doctor before trying any new medication or supplement!
Healthy Eating for a Healthy Gut
What you eat plays a huge role in your gut health. A gut-friendly diet can help reduce inflammation and support a balanced microbiome. Here are some simple tips:
- Eat more fiber: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans feed your good gut bacteria. The lectins that may be found in grains and beans can be dramatically reduced by cooking them well!
- Include fermented foods: Try yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, or kefir for natural probiotics.
- Avoid processed foods: Processed and sugary foods can disrupt your gut bacteria and increase inflammation.
- Reduce alcohol consumption.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps your digestion work smoothly.
Lifestyle Habits That Make a Difference
- Exercise regularly: Gentle movement like walking or yoga can help digestion and reduce stress.
- Sleep well: Rest is key to healing, and poor sleep can affect both your immune system and your gut.
- Manage stress: Chronic stress can increase gut issues and trigger flares. Try breathing exercises, meditation, or talking to a therapist if needed.
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In Conclusion
Lupus is a complicated disease, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But more and more research shows that your gut health plays a big role in how your immune system works—and how you feel.
Taking care of your gut by eating well, using probiotics, and staying active might not cure lupus, but it could help you manage your symptoms better and reduce flares. If you’re interested in trying gut-supportive strategies, talk to your healthcare provider about the best and safest approach for you.
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References
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Thim-uam, A., Surawut, S., & Issara-Amphorn, J. (2020). Leaky-gut enhanced lupus progression in the Fc gamma receptor-IIb deficient and pristane-induced mouse models of lupus. Scientific Reports, 10, 777. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-57275-0
Yale News. (2025, February 5). Study reveals how gut bacteria might trigger autoimmune diseases like lupus. https://news.yale.edu
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Author: Greg Dardis, MS
Professor Dardis was the Chair of the Science Department at Marylhurst University and is currently an Assistant Professor at Portland State University and the American College of Healthcare Sciences. His focus has been human biology and physiology with an interest in autoimmunity. Professor Dardis is also a former President of the Board of Directors of Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus.
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