Leaky Gut May Be Fueling Your Eczema—Here’s How to Identify and Fix It

By Dr. Diane Angela Fong, ND

Do you struggle with stubborn eczema that just won’t go away—no matter how many creams, medications, or elimination diets you try? The missing piece might not be on your skin… but in your gut.

Recent research reveals a powerful link between eczema and a condition called leaky gut, where the lining of your intestines becomes too permeable. This allows toxins, food particles, and bacteria to escape into your bloodstream—triggering inflammation that can show up in your skin as eczema.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

• What leaky gut is and how it contributes to eczema

• The latest science connecting your gut barrier to skin flare-ups

• How to test for leaky gut and evaluate your gut health

• And most importantly—how to fix leaky gut naturally using proven, holistic strategies like nutrition, peptide therapy, targeted supplements, and lifestyle changes

If you're ready to get to the root of your eczema and finally find relief, healing your gut may be the first step.

THE SCIENCE: HOW LEAKY GUT AFFECTS YOUR SKIN

By unraveling the scientific complexities of leaky gut, we aim to provide clarity on how leaky gut can serve as a fundamental root cause of eczema, empowering individuals with knowledge to address this issue at its core. Through understanding the science behind eczema and leaky gut, we pave the way for effective interventions and holistic approaches to managing and ultimately conquering this challenging skin condition.

The Intestinal Barrier

Your gut lining is made up of enterocytes (nutrient-absorbing cells) and supported by mucus-producing goblet cells, immune-releasing enterochromaffin cells, antimicrobial Paneth cells, and M cells that survey for invaders.

The tight junctions (TJs) between these cells are the real MVPs—zipping your gut lining together to prevent anything unwanted from slipping through. But stress, toxins, infections, medications, or poor diet can damage these junctions, making your gut “leaky.”

When this happens, your immune system goes on high alert, often leading to skin flare-ups, chronic inflammation, and worsening of eczema symptoms.

What the Research Says

 Leaky Gut & Allergies

When intestinal permeability is increased, allergens can more easily cross the gut lining and trigger immune reactions—worsening eczema. (Niewiem and Grzybowska-Chlebowczyk, 2022)

Eczema & Permeability

Pike et al. conducted investigations into gastrointestinal permeability in children with atopic eczema. They observed elevated urinary excretion rates of certain sugars in children with eczema compared to controls, indicating increased permeability of the gut barrier.

Impact of Diet on Intestinal Permeability

Caffarelli et al. examined the effects of dietary interventions on small intestinal permeability in children with atopic eczema. Dietary restriction improved gut permeability and eczema in some cases, though not all. This suggests that dietary therapy may have variable effects on intestinal permeability in individuals with eczema.

These findings point to one conclusion: healing the gut may be the key to healing your skin.

HOW TO EVALUATE IF YOU LEAKY GUT

Identifying whether you have leaky gut, scientifically known as intestinal permeability, is crucial for addressing underlying digestive issues and promoting overall wellness. One of the most effective ways to assess leaky gut is through testing, which provides valuable insights into the health of your intestinal barrier.

Get a Comprehensive Stool Analysis

A comprehensive stool analysis provides additional insights into gut health by assessing markers of inflammation, microbiome imbalances, and digestive function. Analysis of stool samples can reveal the presence of inflammatory markers, such as calprotectin and lactoferrin, which indicate heightened immune activity and intestinal inflammation. Additionally, evaluating the composition of the gut microbiome can uncover dysbiosis, an imbalance in the microbial community, which may contribute to leaky gut.

Additionally, a comprehensive stool analysis tests for zonulin levels. Zonulin is a protein that regulates the permeability of the intestinal epithelial barrier. Elevated levels of zonulin in the blood are associated with increased intestinal permeability, indicating potential leaky gut syndrome. By measuring zonulin levels through a stool test,we can evaluate the integrity of the intestinal barrier and identify signs of leaky gut. Higher-than-normal levels of zonulin suggest increased intestinal permeability, allowing toxins, bacteria, and undigested food particles to leak into the bloodstream. This can trigger inflammation, immune reactions, and digestive disturbances associated with leaky gut syndrome. Book a consultation to discuss this test with our Cleanbody Team or order the test directly.

Get a Food Sensitivity Test

High levels of food sensitivity on food sensitivity testing may also indicate leaky gut indirectly. When the intestinal barrier is compromised, undigested food particles and toxins can leak into the bloodstream, triggering immune responses and food sensitivities. Therefore, identifying numerous food sensitivities through testing can serve as an indirect indicator of leaky gut. By pinpointing specific foods that elicit an immune response, food sensitivity testing can help guide dietary interventions to support gut healing and reduce inflammation associated with leaky gut syndrome. We often see a higher level of food sensitivities of the foods most commonly consumed which indicates that those food proteins are leaking through the gut and into the bloodstream.  Sealing and healing the gut will help to reduce these sensitivities over time. Book a consultation to discuss this test with our Cleanbody Team or order the test directly.

HOW TO FIX LEAKY GUT

Leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, can be addressed through various lifestyle modifications and dietary interventions aimed at restoring gut barrier integrity and promoting overall gastrointestinal health. 

Avoid Food Sensitivities & Allergies

Identifying and eliminating trigger foods that contribute to food sensitivities and allergies is crucial for reducing inflammation and preventing further damage to the intestinal barrier. Conducting allergy or sensitivity testing and then following an elimination diet under the guidance of our Cleanbody Team can help pinpoint specific dietary triggers and support intestinal barrier healing and alleviate symptoms of eczema by reducing inflammation and removing one of the offenders causing irritation to the intestinal lining. 

Avoid Toxins

Reducing exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and pollutants, can help mitigate inflammation and oxidative stress in the gut. Choosing organic, pesticide-free foods, using non-toxic household cleaning products, and filtering drinking water can minimize toxin exposure and support overall gut health. Get tested for toxins to understand which toxin exposures you need to clean up.

Support Intestinal Barrier Health

Promoting the integrity of the intestinal barrier is essential for preventing the translocation of harmful substances into the bloodstream. Incorporating gut-supportive nutrients and supplements, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and gut-healing compounds, can help strengthen the gut lining, enhance mucosal immunity, and promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

• 🌿 Strengthen the Gut Barrier with Herbs and Nutrients

  Supplements like Gut Mend, featuring ingredients such as L-glutamine, DGL licorice, Slippery elm, Aloe vera, N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine support mucosal healing and tight junction integrity.

• 🧬 Support Gut Repair with Peptide Therapy: Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can help repair tissues, reduce inflammation, and support gut barrier function—making them a powerful tool for addressing leaky gut and related eczema flare-ups. At Cleanbody, we use targeted peptides to restore intestinal lining integrity and modulate the immune system:

• BPC-157: Promotes gut lining repair, reduces inflammation, and supports recovery from leaky gut.

• Thymosin Beta-4 (TB4): Aids tissue regeneration and calms overactive immune responses.

• KPV peptide: Offers potent anti-inflammatory effects and supports both gut and skin healing.

• ⚠️ Important Note: Peptides are powerful biologic messengers that must be used under practitioner supervision. Taking them improperly or for too long can lead to receptor desensitization, meaning your body may stop responding over time. Dosing, timing, and cycling need to be personalized to avoid losing efficacy or causing unintended effects. Work with a qualified practitioner—like our Cleanbody team—to determine whether peptide therapy is appropriate for your case, and to monitor your progress closely.

Eat a balanced CleanFOOD Diet

Transitioning to a nutrient-dense diet centered around whole foods is key to nurturing optimal gut function and microbial balance. Prioritize a rich variety of fiber, antioxidants, and vital nutrients by incorporating an array of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains into your meals. To kickstart your journey towards cleaner eating, consider enrolling in our Essential Support Membership granting you access to our exclusive CleanFOOD Nutrition Plan or you can opt for a personalized approach by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Fong and our team of Cleanbody nutritionists, who will collaborate with you to craft a tailored nutrition regimen that suits your unique needs and goals.

Manage Stress & Maintain a CleanMIND

Chronic stress can significantly impact intestinal permeability and upset the delicate balance of gut microbes. To counteract these effects, integrating stress-relieving practices like meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or mindfulness techniques into your routine can effectively regulate the body's stress response and foster harmony within the gut-brain axis. Unlock exclusive access to our CleanMIND modules within the Essential Support Membership, featuring tailored exercises and guided meditations designed to cultivate a CleanMIND. Furthermore, join our weekly support group sessions, where Dr. Fong leads a guided meditation every week to enhance your stress management journey. For personalized assistance, consider booking a dedicated CleanMIND session to receive additional support and guidance tailored to your unique needs.

Avoid Unnecessary Medications

Certain medications, notably nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and antibiotics, have been shown to disturb the delicate balance of gut microbiota which in turn can increase intestinal permeability. To mitigate these effects, it's advisable to minimize the use of unnecessary medications as much as possible and seek out alternative treatment options that are less likely to disrupt gut health. 

Seek Professional Guidance

Consulting with our team can provide personalized guidance and recommendations for addressing leaky gut. We can order labs and develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, medical history, and dietary preferences. Regular monitoring and follow-up evaluations can help track progress and make necessary adjustments to optimize gut health and overall well-being.

Check out our Essential Support Membership, which gives you access to guides, coaching support and education to equip you with knowledge to both prevent and manage acute illnesses effectively.  Alternatively, for personalized guidance and support, you can schedule a consultation with our team of experts today. Use the code BLOG10 to get 10% off for a limited time!

We prioritize implementing nutrition and lifestyle adjustments and offer natural herbs and supplements as viable alternatives when medications are necessary. Contact us today and together, we can develop a customized plan to address your specific health goals and concerns!

JOIN DR. FONG'S LIVE SESSION!

We are going live to discuss this topic on Thursday, June, 5 2025 at 12:30 PM PST! Watch the live or check out the replay here:

About the Author:

Dr. Diane Angela Fong, ND, is the CEO and founder of Cleanbody, a wellness company dedicated to treating and preventing chronic disease. She is the creator of the Cleanbody Method, which follows a three-step process: Evaluate (digging into the root causes of chronic disease using lab testing and other evaluation tools), Optimize (enhancing health foundations by addressing nutrition, lifestyle, and toxic exposures), and Support (optimizing organ functions through healing protocols).

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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