As the quest for a longer, healthier life gains momentum, medical professionals are delving deeper into factors beyond conventional diet and exercise advice. According to Dr Mohammed Enayat, an NHS GP and founder of the London longevity clinic HUM2N, a critical new frontier is the condition of the small intestine.
Beyond Digestion: The Focus on the Intestinal Wall
Dr Enayat notes that while gut health is often discussed in broad terms, the specific focus is shifting to the lining of the small intestine. This delicate barrier, only one cell thick, separates the contents of the gut from the bloodstream, controlling which nutrients are absorbed.
"When that small intestinal wall becomes leaky—when the proteins between these cells start to break down—it becomes too porous," explains Dr Enayat. This allows undigested food particles, bacteria, and viruses to enter the bloodstream, triggering a persistent, low-grade immune response that can continue indefinitely until repaired.
A Controversial Condition with Wide-Ranging Links
Leaky gut syndrome remains a debated topic in medicine. It is not a formally recognised diagnosis, creating a clear divide between traditional doctors and functional medicine practitioners like Dr Enayat.
Proponents link the syndrome to a host of inflammatory and autoimmune issues, including:
- Eczema, psoriasis, and skin rashes
- Digestive problems and inflammatory bowel disease
- Joint pain and swelling
- Brain fog and chronic fatigue
However, sceptics argue these conditions are caused by other factors, not intestinal permeability. Dr Enayat clarifies that the concern is not about faecal matter in the veins, but issues occurring higher up in the digestive tract, where the small intestine absorbs nutrients.
Testing, Treatment, and the Pursuit of Health Span
Testing for leaky gut is described as quick and simple, often involving a pin-prick blood test. Laboratories analyse the sample for levels of zonulin, a protein that regulates the tight junctions of the intestinal wall. Elevated zonulin levels can indicate a breakdown of these crucial barriers.
Treatment typically involves a targeted one to three-month plan. This combines an anti-inflammatory diet, which removes foods that trigger immune reactions, with specific supplements to support gut lining repair. "People notice that their symptoms and their quality of health improves by just going through a diet plan for a couple of months," says Dr Enayat.
He warns that leaky gut can cause mild symptoms for years before a full autoimmune condition develops, making early intervention key. With Britons living longer, the focus on maximising our 'health span'—the years lived free from avoidable illness—makes understanding such underlying factors increasingly vital.
