Intestinal Permeability Assessment

The Intestinal Permeability Assessment is a powerful noninvasive gastrointestinal test assessing the integrity of the single celled lining of the small intestines. The small intestines uniquely function as a digestive/absorptive organ for nutrients as well as a powerful immune and mechanical barrier against excessive absorption of bacteria, food antigens, and other macromolecules. Both malabsorption and increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) are associated with chronic gastrointestinal imbalances as well as many systemic disorders. When intestinal permeability is present the immune system is chronically upregulated, indicating chronic systemic inflammation, in order to defend the body against foreign substances that are passing through the lining of small intestines. This test is a urine test that is collected at home and sent into the lab with prepaid packaging.