An untreated leaky gut can contribute to the development or intensification of autoimmune diseases. Due to the constant permeability of the intestinal wall, foreign substances enter the bloodstream, which leads to chronic inflammation and an overreaction of the immune system. In the long term, the immune system can lose the distinction between “foreign” and “own” – it begins to attack the body’s own structures. This mechanism can be detected in many autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s, rheumatism or coeliac disease. A healthy, tight intestinal barrier is therefore essential to regulate the immune system and counteract autoimmune processes.