Zonulin

Zonulin is a protein that acts like a glue to keep intestinal cells bound together. Intestinal cells are supposed to be lined up and connected to each other. When Zonulin is high it means the cells aren’t tightly together. Leaky gut happens gradually over time. Zonulin can help identify the level of leaky gut. Leaky Gut has been associated with inflammation, an imbalance of healthy gut bacteria, and is a risk factor for food allergies and food sensitivities, such as a reaction to gluten. 

Possible related symptoms of a Leaky Gut include:

  • Digestive issues such diarrhea, bloating, constipation, weight loss, changes in appetite, gas
  • Skin issues such as dry skin, hair loss, redness, rashes, scratching
  • Chewing, licking, or gnawing paws and paw pads

Levels of Zonulin

Dogs: 

  • Normal: <6.6 ug/g
  • Borderline: 6.5- 11 ug/g – May benefit from testing again in 3-6 months
  • High: >11 ug/g – Associated with Leaky Gut.  Treat and retest in 3 months

Cats: 

  • Normal: <2.0 ug/g 
  • Borderline: 2.0-6.0 ug/g – May benefit from testing again in 3-6 months
  • High: >6.0 ug/g – Associated with Leaky Gut.  Treat and retest in 3 months

Treatment Options

Continue with current diet and lifestyle, retest in one year

  • Probiotics have been shown to improve good gut bacteria and may improve Zonulin levels
    • Consider multi-strain probiotics, spore-forming probiotics or Saccharomyces boulardii
  • Consider a less processed food, such as a prescription or human grade food. If the antigliadin IgA is also high, consider a gluten free pet food
    • Note: wheat, rye and barley all contain gluten
  • Minimize anxiety and stress
  • Avoid unnecessary medications such as antibiotics or exposure to toxins
  • Check inflammation. Consider anti-inflammatory supporting snacks such as blueberries, alfalfa, apples (no seeds), carrots, pumpkin, red pepper), or anti-inflammatory supplements. Reducing inflammation may decrease Zonulin.
    • Test level of fecal inflammation with IPL inflammation test
  • Check overall health as obesity and type 2 diabetes may lead to increased inflammation
  • Retest in 3 months.

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