Our Doctors
Board-certified doctors, who spend time working in the field and shaping the future of medicine
Sign in
Join
Leaky gut can cause a number of serious illnesses. Learn about 5 common medications that can cause leaky gut and how to spot its symptoms.
7 minute read
Last Updated April 7, 2022
When you have a leaky gut, your body doesn’t absorb nutrients in the way it should. It also triggers more inflammation through your body as harmful particles escape into your blood.
Leaky gut is a common intestinal issue that results from poor diet, stress, food allergies, and it now seems that certain medications can cause leaky gut too. Knowing what the causes are will help you avoid this unfortunate gut condition.
The lining of your gut is a semi-permeable wall that has gaps known as tight junctions that allow nutrients to pass. This is how we absorb our food or at least the beneficial compounds in the food we eat.
Certain factors such as food allergies poor diet, excessive stress, infections, and inflammatory foods can cause this lining to become damaged. Specifically, the tight junctions become loosened.
As a result, larger particles such as toxins and undigested food are able to pass through into your bloodstream. In other words, your gut is leaking. Once they start traveling through your body, your immune system targets them as foreign and attacks.
With the continued leaking and chronic inflammatory response, your overall health becomes at risk. Beyond digestive issues like bloating, chronic fatigue, infections, and mood changes, you could also develop an autoimmune condition.
Common symptoms to look for to help you identify a leaky gut include:
♦ Chronic fatigue that does not improve with rest
Poor immune system function
♦ Nutritional deficiencies
♦ Headaches, brain fog, and even memory loss
♦ Cravings for carbohydrates and sugar
♦ Arthritis and joint pains
♦ Chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas, or bloating
♦ Depression and/or anxiety
♦ Autoimmune conditions such as lupus, celiac disease, or rheumatoid arthritis
The common causes of leaky gut are poor diet, excessive stress levels, and food allergies. The causes of leaky gut that are related to diet or lifestyle choices can be corrected, so your gut can heal. Sometimes these are not the cause and medications you have been taking to help other health issues, could be responsible for the leaks.
Antibiotics are great for fighting infections, but they can have some negative impacts too. Not only do they deplete your natural and beneficial gut bacteria, but they contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
When the good bacteria in your gut become depleted, harmful strains can grow and spread. This causes a condition known as SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) or candida overgrowth. The result is chronic gut inflammation and damage to the gut wall, which leads to leaky gut.
If you do get an infection that requires antibiotics, be sure to take high-quality, multi-strain probiotics along with it. This will keep the balance in your gut healthy and protect it from gut wall damage.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, are commonly taken to reduce fevers and pain. However, when used frequently for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, they are responsible for thousands of gastrointestinal complications and hospital admissions.
NSAIDs have been found to disrupt the balance of your gut microbiome, a condition known as dysbiosis. Despite being safe in small doses, larger doses (which are common with inflammatory conditions) can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammation, and leaky gut.
Alternatives to NSAIDS include turmeric (or curcumin) and omega-3 fatty acid supplements, as both possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Even better, both are natural and do not interfere with your gut bacteria or damage your gut lining.
3. Steroids
Corticosteroids are often used in autoimmune conditions to suppress immune system function. But the suppression of the immune system causes leaky gut, which in turn leads to and contributes to autoimmunity. This means that while steroids are prescribed to help with autoimmunity, they are in fact making the condition worse.
Rather than using these drugs to suppress your immune system, work instead to support it. Depending on the root cause of your autoimmunity, you can address it successfully and naturally support your immune system. This will give your gut a break and allow it to heal, which will further help you reduce autoimmune related symptoms.
Heartburn and acid reflux are the most common digestive issues in this country, mostly as a result of the western diet. As a result, antacids and other acid-reducing medications are commonly prescribed and used. These drugs work to reduce acid production, but this allows for a certain bacteria, C. difficile, to thrive.
C. difficile infections cause colon swelling, life-threatening intestinal bleeding, and leaky gut. While acid reflux is uncomfortable and can cause other issues, you need to weight the benefits against these cons.
Controlling acid reflux can be done with diet changes and reducing stress. This will control acid reflux and will save your gut from being seriously damaged or leaky.
With so many women relying on oral contraceptives, it’s important to know that these can also cause a leaky gut. By increasing the levels of estrogen in your body, these pills increase the risk of a candida overgrowth. Once this yeast gets out of control and spreads, it can contribute to gut wall damage and a leaky gut.
More women taking birth control also report frequent gastrointestinal issues, which could be a result of the estrogen levels. Gastrointestinal issues can be associated with inflammation, which could damage the gut lining and also cause a leaky gut to develop.
Since many of these medications are commonly used today, it’s important to learn that they may be the underlying cause of your symptoms. The good news is leaky gut can be reversed, and your gut can heal before causing any serious disease or illness.
If you suspect that you have a leaky gut, make the necessary lifestyle and diet changes, and make sure you check the medicine cabinet too. If your meds are the culprit, you can speak with your doctor about alternatives so your gut can get back on the right track.
Be first in line for major savings, fitness and nutrition tips, health news, and more
Related Digestive Healthy-living Articles
CardioFitMD® was formulated to provide a convenient way to get the nutrients your body needs for he...
The clinically studied ingredients in CholestMD® work together to support healthy cholesterol level...
Fermented foods are popular around the world for their many digestive health benefits and delicious ...
MoveMD’s natural and clinically studied ingredients promote overall joint health, mobility, and fl...
TocoGaia™ is a naturally sourced form of vitamin E and supports your liver, heart, vision, brain, ...
Bromelain is an enzyme naturally occurring in pineapple. It’s been used for centuries to aid diges...
Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric, a spice used in traditional medicine for centuries. Cur...
Boswellia serrata comes from frankincense. It has been used for its many health benefits in various ...
Capsicum extract has been used for centuries to support health, and it’s now available in suppleme...
Astaxanthin, a component found in krill oil, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that may ...
Zanthin® Natural Astaxanthin is often thought of as a heart health ingredient, thanks to its antiox...
CalZbone contains Cissus quadrangularis, which can promote bone health and help to reduce everyday b...
Yoga is an excellent tool for pain management. These 4 yoga poses can help manage pain on a daily ba...
Chronic pain can make daily living difficult. Here are 5 tips and some different approaches to pain ...
Societies have been using mushrooms to support health for generations. Read this to learn more about...
Cauliflower has gained a lot of popularity thanks to the number of nutrients and benefits they conta...
A healthy small intestine is vital to your health. Learn more about your small intestine, plus the b...
If you suffer from a leaky gut, it’s time to start the healing process. Reinforcing your gut barri...
Understanding chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been difficult, but new discoveries show a link bet...
Vegan and vegetarian food can be great all diets. This chickpea cookie dough is the perfect to lose ...
Eating healthy is essential as an adult, so having healthy snacks as easy, convenient options is imp...
Being on a gluten-free diet can have many benefits for your overall health. Learn about the many ben...
Why are probiotics good for weight loss? Find out why women are turning to probiotics for natural we...
Fiber is essential for good health. Learn all about the many benefits of fiber for more energy, bett...
inding a tasty snack that is still healthy enough for kids and adults is challenging. These triple c...
Turmeric’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties may help relieve psoriasis symptoms. This DIY top...
This protein-packed chili recipe is full of complex flavors and tastes like a classic chili, but it ...
Did you know probiotics are important to your health? Understanding individual probiotics strains in...
Learn about these 8 lesser-known superfoods that not only enhance and support your health, but are a...
Turmeric is a spice common in Indian cuisine and has been used as a medicine for millennia. Honey ha...
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America. Oatmeal is a food that can change that. W...
Public Lands Day is an opportunity to explore the parks that belong to every person in the US. Witho...
International Peace Day is a day for the world to focus on peace, but creating peace within yourself...
Guacamole is one of the most popular dishes today, mostly because of the flavor and the high nutriti...
Is your bed neatly made, or does it stay just as you rolled out of it, unmade and waiting for your r...
If you’re a person who procrastinates, but would like to get a handle on it, Fight Procrastination...
Autoinflammatory diseases are often confused with autoimmune diseases and can have very similar symp...
For those who already love books, you do so regardless of any proven benefits you receive. National ...
Heart disease can include numerous conditions that affect your heart health. Knowing if you are at r...
Are you inundated with constant city or work busyness? The best time to consider a break is the mome...
Back pain is a common concern amongst adults. One of the best ways you can alleviate back pain or av...
Protecting your skin with sunscreen is crucial for your health, but unfortunately there are chemical...
Once you see retirement on the horizon, working to advance your career past the age of 50 can be a d...
We know diet and exercise play a very important role in health, happiness, and longevity. What do th...
Urinary incontinence, not being able to control when you pee, is both embarrassing and a real proble...
Summer is here, and it’s always a race to shed pounds before hitting the beach. But fads aren't th...
Medicine is meant to help you and make you healthier, but using more than one at a time can lead to ...
These simple tips to keep your feet healthy will help you feel more energetic during your day with r...
Our pH levels in our blood determine how our system will function, but what happens if this level is...
Erectile dysfunction affects 30 percent of men aged 40 to 70. ED can affect your relationship, but i...
