30 Apr Importance of leaky gut syndrome in farm animals
Posted at 11:39h
in Aquaculture, Broilers, Ducks, Layers and breeders, Mycotoxins, Rabbits, Rumiant, Swine
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A syndrome called “leaky gut” has gained quite a bit of attention lately in human medicine.
The term “leaky gut syndrome” is used to describe the condition of “hyperpermeable intestines” that takes place when the intestinal lining becomes more porous and its barrier function is no longer functioning properly. The fallout results in larger, undigested food molecules and gut microorganisms flowing freely into the bloodstream, causing widespread inflammation in the body and possibly triggering a reaction from the immune system.
In human beings, leaky gut is thought to be caused, among others, by poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, chronic stress, alcohol abuse, dysbiosis, Helicobacter infection and continuous use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Many studies have connected increased intestinal permeability with multiple chronic diseases, such as celiac disease, diabetes and Crohn’s disease. Many practitioners also link leaky gut to anxiety, depression, autism, brain-related diseases, cancer and eczema, but there is no scientific evidence of this relationship yet.
Farm animals also suffer a variety of diseases linked to hyperpermeable intestines.
Besides causing specific diseases, the widespread inflammation linked to leaky gut consumes up to 30% of the metabolic energy that would be otherwise used by the animal to grow or produce eggs or milk.
Feed restriction, heat stress, dysbiosis, diets with poor digestibility, rancid fats, bacterial toxins and mycotoxins (DON, aflatoxin B1, fumonisins) are possible causes of disruption of the intestinal barrier function.
In poultry, loss of the gut barrier function has been linked to:
In pig, hyperpermeable intestines are related to:
In ruminants, loss of the gut barrier function has been linked to:
There is increasing focus on the health problems related to leaky gut, both in humans and in farm animals.
To relieve this syndrome, it is necessary to take a holistic approach to maintain and improve gut health, including the reduction of stress, using digestible ingredients in feed, high quality fats, adding an effective mycotoxin binder and administering plant extracts for digestive health.
Certain health statements may not be applicable in your region.