"Zonulin" sounds like something from a sci-fi novel.
But it is real. And it lives inside of you.
Discovered in 2000 by Dr. Alessio Fasano, zonulin is a protein that has revolutionised our understanding of how gluten affects the human gut.
When this protein is activated by the gliadin component in gluten, it signals the tight junctions between your intestinal cells to open wider than they should.
Think of it like widening the holes in a fishing net with your fingers. It’s not going to be very effective at stopping fish from slipping through.
This leaky barrier may explain why gluten sensitivity extends well beyond those with celiac disease.
In this article, we will explore the evidence linking gluten to leaky gut syndrome, explain how this connection might be affecting your health, and provide practical ways to help repair your gut lining.
Understanding Gluten
Gluten is a family of proteins found naturally in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. When flour mixes with water, these proteins form an elastic network that gives bread its chewy texture and helps it rise.
While gluten itself contains several different proteins, one component called gliadin tends to cause the most problems for people with sensitivities.
Modern wheat varieties contain significantly more gluten than ancient strains, and food processing methods have changed substantially. Additionally, gluten now appears in countless processed foods where you might not expect it, from sauces and soups to sweets and even some medications.
Gluten is difficult to avoid completely unless you're vigilantly reading labels due to its widespread presence.
Many people unknowingly consume gluten throughout their day. This can be particularly problematic if your gut is sensitive to these proteins.
Before we look at the connection between gluten and leaky gut syndrome, let’s first understand what leaky gut is.
What is Leaky Gut?
Leaky gut refers to a condition where the lining of your intestines becomes more permeable than it should be.
Think of your gut lining as a fine mesh that carefully controls what passes from your digestive system into your bloodstream. Picture a kitchen strainer separating pasta from water, allowing only the liquid to pass through.
Normally, this barrier allows small nutrients to pass through while blocking larger particles that could trigger inflammation or immune responses. That’s because there are tiny junctions between the cells lining your gut called “tight junctions.”
However, when you have a leaky gut, these junctions become looser, meaning that you no longer have that protective barrier. This lets undigested food particles, toxins and bacteria enter your bloodstream.
Symptoms of Leaky Gut
People with leaky gut often experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms.
You might notice persistent bloating after meals, unusual fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, or brain fog that makes concentration difficult.
Other common signs include food sensitivities, joint pain, skin problems like eczema, and irregular bowel movements.
While conventional medicine has been slow to fully recognize leaky gut as a diagnosis, growing research supports its existence and its connection to various health conditions.
Many functional medicine practitioners and nutritionists now view intestinal permeability (how much your gut lining lets through, like the kitchen strainer) as a key factor in numerous digestive and systemic health issues.
The Gluten-Leaky Gut Connection
One of the most significant discoveries in modern digestive health research is the relationship between gluten and leaky gut.
At the centre of this connection is a protein called zonulin.
When gluten enters your digestive system, the gliadin can trigger the release of zonulin in your intestinal cells.
Zonulin acts directly on the tight junctions we discussed, causing them to open wider and increasing intestinal permeability.
With Coeliac Disease
In people with celiac disease, the connection is clear and well established. Celiac is an autoimmune disorder where consuming gluten causes your immune system to attack your intestinal lining.
A recent study published in the journal Nutrients found that children with active celiac disease had significantly higher levels of zonulin (347.5 ng/mL) compared to healthy controls (177.7 ng/mL).
When these children followed a gluten-free diet, their zonulin levels dropped substantially to 157.1 ng/mL, impressively demonstrating how removing gluten can help restore gut barrier function.
Without Coeliac Disease
In 2015, another study published in the journal Nutrients examined intestinal tissue samples from non-celiac individuals.
The researchers discovered that exposure to gliadin increased intestinal permeability in all participants, though the effect was more pronounced in those with gluten sensitivity.
This suggests that gluten may potentially affect gut barrier function to some degree in everyone, not just those with diagnosed conditions.
These findings help explain why some people without celiac disease still report feeling better when they reduce or eliminate gluten from their diets.
The zonulin pathway provides a scientific explanation for symptoms that were previously dismissed as placebo effect or imagination.
Holistic Approach to Gut Health
If you suspect gluten contributes to your gut issues, removing it from your diet can be an important first step. However, addressing leaky gut requires a more comprehensive strategy.
When your intestinal lining has become more permeable, simply eliminating the trigger isn't always enough for complete healing. Your gut needs active support to repair damaged tissue and restore proper function.
Focus on incorporating plenty of vegetables, quality proteins, healthy fats, and fermented foods that provide beneficial bacteria. Many people find that temporarily reducing other potentially inflammatory foods like dairy, processed sugar, and industrial seed oils can accelerate healing.
Stress management cannot be overlooked when healing your gut. The gut-brain connection is powerful, with stress hormones directly affecting intestinal function and permeability.
Regular physical activity helps regulate this connection by reducing stress hormone levels and improving circulation to digestive organs. Aim for movement you enjoy rather than exhausting exercise that might actually increase stress.
Sleep quality and adequate hydration play supporting roles in gut repair. During deep sleep, your body focuses on healing and tissue regeneration. Proper hydration ensures the mucus layer protecting your gut lining stays healthy and functional.
Fifth Ray's Cosmic Hue tea fits naturally into this holistic approach. Its carefully selected ingredients work together to support your gut health.
Many customers report that incorporating Cosmic Hue into their daily routine helps them manage gut symptoms more effectively as part of their overall gut health strategy.
Cosmic Hue: Supporting Gut Repair
Marshmallow root is the star ingredient in Cosmic Hue when it comes to supporting gut repair.
This traditional herb works by forming a protective mucilaginous layer over irritated intestinal tissues. This soothing coating helps shield your damaged gut lining from further irritation while creating an environment that supports cell regeneration and healing.
After emergency surgery that removed nearly a foot of his intestine, Manny turned to plant-based remedies to support his recovery. Marshmallow root became a staple in his daily routine, helping to soothe his digestive system and reduce inflammation.
Conclusion
Gluten can impact gut health by triggering zonulin release, which opens the tight junctions between intestinal cells and leads to increased permeability (leaky-ness).
This process affects people with celiac disease most severely, but research shows it may influence gut barrier function in non-celiac individuals as well.
Addressing leaky gut requires more than just eliminating gluten. A holistic approach incorporating anti-inflammatory foods, stress management, quality sleep, and proper hydration creates the foundation for true healing.
If you're working to repair your gut lining and restore proper intestinal function, consider adding Cosmic Hue to your daily routine. The marshmallow root and other carefully selected plant ingredients provide gentle yet effective support for your gut healing journey.
Please note this information is educational only, not medical advice. Cosmic Hue is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes in your lifestyle.
References
Fasano, A., Not, T., Wang, W., Uzzau, S., Berti, I., Tommasini, A., & Goldblum, S. E. (2000). Zonulin, a newly discovered modulator of intestinal permeability, and its expression in coeliac disease. Lancet (London, England), 355(9214), 1518–1519.
Gallego, M. A. M., Sánchez, M. G. C., Olmedo, M. G. S., Soto, A. B., Casasempere, S. Á., Nozal, P., Martínez‐Ojinaga, E., Arias, M. M., Losantos-García, I., & Molero-Luis, M. (2024). Trends in Faecal Zonulin Concentrations in Paediatric Patients with Celiac Disease at Baseline and on a Gluten-Free Diet: Exploring Correlations with Other Faecal Biomarkers. Nutrients, 16.
Hollon, J., Puppa, E. L., Greenwald, B., Goldberg, E., Guerrerio, A., & Fasano, A. (2015). Effect of gliadin on permeability of intestinal biopsy explants from celiac disease patients and patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Nutrients, 7(3), 1565–1576.