Gut Permeability, Sensitivity and Symptomatology

Inclusion criteria

- Age 18 to 70 years

- No abdominal surgery (except appendectomy, cholecystectomy, hernia repair,
hysterectomy, and C-section).

- Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

- Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding

- Use of tobacco products within the past 6 months (since nicotine may affect intestinal
permeability)

- Use of NSAIDs or aspirin within the past week (since NSAIDs affect intestinal
permeability)

- Use of oral corticosteroids within the previous 6 weeks

- Ingestion of artificial sweeteners such as Splenda (sucralose), Nutrasweet
(aspartame), lactulose or mannitol 2 days before the study tests begins, e.g. foods to
be avoided are sugarless gyms or mints and diet soda.

- Ingestion of any prescription, over the counter, or herbal medications which can
affect gastrointestinal transit 7 days before the study begins.

- Proton pump inhibitors.

- Antibiotics for the preceding 60 days before the start of the study.

- (vii) Alcohol intake beyond the recommended safe limit (<21 unites per week)

- Bleeding disorders or medications that increase risk of bleeding from mucosal
biopsies.

- Known allergy to fluorescein

- Inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease.