20-00950 KANA EquineLeakyGutFlipbook PaperTurn optB 10-30-20 - Flipbook - Page 4
ANATOMY OF A HEALTHY GUT VS. A LEAKY GUT
The intestinal barrier performs two important,
but very different, functions:
• Absorbing nutrients and water into the
bloodstream
• Preventing undesirable or harmful
substances from entering the body
To perform these functions, the lining needs
to be selectively permeable — allowing
nutrients in, but keeping pathogens out.
The intestinal barrier is made up of a
layer of epithelial cells with tight
junctions, which knit these cells
together to maintain barrier strength.
When either the tight junctions
or the cells themselves are
damaged, harmful substances
can move through the barrier
and into the bloodstream
(i.e. Leaky Gut Syndrome).
NORMAL TIGHT
JUNCTION