Permeability Zonulin

FLUIDS iQ

Who is This Test For?

Permeability Zonulin

Although the term “Leaky Gut” has been used for years to describe all manner of issues relating to how people feel, it’s only recently that the scientific community discovered that there’s actually a biomarker in our body that, together with its related family of peptides, controls the tight junctions of our gut so that, to put it bluntly: The good stuff goes into our bloodstream and the bad stuff stays out. Everyone is affected by it to one degree or another. It’s called Zonulin and it’s revolutionary.

The FLUIDS iQ test for intestinal permeability (“Leaky Gut”), measuring levels of Zonulin and its related family of peptides (Zonulin FP), is the cornerstone of our Intestinal iQ™ series of wellness tests. We’re proud to have been the first to develop and introduce this specific test to North America

Zonuwhat?
Actually, it’s called Zonulin

Zonulin is a protein that modulates the permeability of tight junctions between cells of the digestive tract wall. Zonulin, and its family of peptides, are found within intestinal cells and, interestingly, its production and release mimic the effect of certain bacterial toxins. Once triggered, Zonulin plays an important role in the creation of what we think of as gut “leakiness.”

Permeability Zonulin

It just so happens, by a quirk of nature, that gliadin – the gluten peptide – mimics the effects of foreign bacteria and also activates Zonulin signaling, leading to increased intestinal permeability. But, unlike the effect caused by bacteria, the Zonulin effect from gliadin generates a two-way response: Not only can water exit the intestinal barrier, but contents from the gut are able to gain entry in the opposite direction, ie: into the bloodstream. The takeaway? The gliadin-Zonulin “leak” effect occurs not just in people with celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity. It occurs in everyone, but the effect is longer and more pronounced in the intestinal cells of people with celiac disease.

“Leaky Gut” occurs when the gut lining becomes abnormally permeable, allowing bacteria, food and other large molecules to pass through. A major controller of this gateway is Zonulin and its related family of peptides.