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The Truth About Leaky Gut Supplements (Colostrum, Glutamine, Collagen…)

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, The Gut Health MD

31,475 views

There's an entire industry built on sealing your "leaky gut" — collagen, glutamine, butyrate pills, colostrum. I went and read the actual human studies on every single one of them, and what I found surprised me.

Most of the supplements getting the biggest marketing budgets have almost no real evidence behind them for gut barrier repair. And the two that actually hold up? Nobody's running flashy ads for them.

In this video:

✅ Why the blood test most of these products point to (zonulin) might not even be measuring what they claim
✅ The real research on collagen, glutamine, and butyrate pills — and where each one falls short
✅ Colostrum's evidence, and why it's more nuanced than the ads suggest
✅ The one "sleeper" compound with real gut permeability data behind it
✅ Why fiber is still the most evidence-backed thing you can do for your gut lining

My newest course on rooting out the true causes of constipation, is live now: https://theguthealthmd.com/constipati...

Dr. B's new book, "Plant Powered Plus," is available now: https://www.amazon.com/Plant-Powered-...

Subscribe to The Gut Insiders wherever you get your podcasts:

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Follow Dr. B on Instagram: Instagram: theguthealthmd

Learn more about the evidence-based gut health formulas in 38TERA: https://38tera.com

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 The leaky gut supplement hype
0:51 What "leaky gut" actually means (the science)
2:58 The zonulin test problem: what it's not actually measuring
4:19 Verdict 1: Collagen — hype
5:45 Verdict 2: Glutamine — hype for the healthy gut
7:36 Verdict 3: Butyrate pills — promising but unproven
10:51 Verdict 4: Colostrum — thin evidence, mostly in athletes
13:41 The two sleepers that actually work
14:04 Zinc carnosine — worth a look
16:34 Fiber — foundational, the best evidence
20:13 Full scorecard recap
20:53 Closing thoughts

20 Comments

@theguthealthmd Creator 1 month ago Pinned

If you took one thing from this video, let it be this: fiber does the real work for your gut barrier — and that same principle drives regularity too. If you're dealing with constipation, I built The Constipation Protocol to help you find your specific type first, then build a plan around it, fiber included. Enrollment is open now: https://theguthealthmd.com/constipation-protocol/

@TheHandmadeHomesteadandGarden 1 month ago

Can you do a deep-dive into IBS & chronic SIBO - the symptoms are so varied and often brushed off - belly pain sometime upper and for many people lower, stuffy nose, waves of anxiety, nausea and vomiting for some, the fatigue, the FODMAPS influence on finding "safe" foods, and the lack of real treatment options - the relationship with MCAS, the use of Xifaxan, the constant disrupted gut biome - I've heard so many different stories from so many different people all over the world. From post infectious to sudden onset of symptoms to those with chronic issues from childhood. --There is never enough reliable information available. Approximately 13–19 million U.S. adults have IBS and there is so much inaccurate information on line and most people with IBS can't tolerate fermented foods, most can't take probiotic supplements without issues, most have very limited "safe foods", and fiber for some people can be a problem and not a helper.

@edwardhughes3436 1 month ago

From a retired 74 year old MD PhD who was diagnosed with asymptomatic ileal Crohn's 2 years ago, I'm so glad I found Dr. B. Seems even GI specialists at major medical centers fail to recognize the importance of gut health principles patients can do. And even as a physician I can be seduced by marketing. Thanks Dr. B for having the guts to do this.

@davidgreene8608 1 month ago

3 supplements that work for me
1) slippery elm bark
2) fennel seed capsules
3) black seed extract with oregano oil

@StaceyZimmer 1 month ago

Great info!💖💖💖

@Marcus-si7su 1 month ago

Thank you for this video from Taiwan
Love the new book! perfect when I moved here since they have soooo much vegetables and fruit to eat and add to your diet.

@NatiDeNut 1 month ago

Thanks for this!! ❤

@missybrenner478 1 month ago

MSM…SULFER, Dr. Kathleen Janel protocol. A game changer for me and science backed.

@melindaobligacion3030 7 days ago

Thank you for that nice information.

@Toweringmars 3 weeks ago

Great video dr. The only thing I would add, in reference to the Make it dont take it approach. The tough thing is someone who's wrecked their microbiome with antibiotics like myself and have a -3 count of F. Prausnitzii, the main butyrate producer. Its hard to rebuild without that native bacterium and an already low butyrate level, especially when dealing with a 4+ overgrowth like myself in C freundii. Coming up with protocols when no local MD's or ND's have even heard of C. Freundi is extremely difficult and involves trying half if not all of these supplements. Appreciate the work you do and love that you bring the real clinical data to the table. Thank you

@sezansaliev6564 1 month ago

What about Tributyrin Dr B?
Isn't this type of butyrate highly effective in reaching the colon and delivering where it's needed?

Thanks

@nancyrogers8758 1 month ago

THANK YOU!!!

@PricklyPinkCrafter 1 month ago

Thank you for the info, I'm learning about my health, I want to eat my way into good health not taking too many supplements! So much to learn! 🙂

@alx7157 1 month ago

Hey Doc, what's your take on Phosphatidyl Choline? it helps immensely for my chemical sensitivity. Thanks for the vid. Cheers.

@Noname89642 1 month ago

Will: “You don’t eat brains to get smarter.” 😂😂🤣🤣 Love it! 😜👍🏻

@JanCox-y4b 2 weeks ago

My grandmother was diagnosed with leaky gut 40 years ago. I'm 70 and I have suddenly got the symptoms she had. First thing I came across was histamine intolerance, then vagus nerve irritation which could link up with this. I've been taking l glutamine thinking it would heal the gut. Upping soluble fibre too. I'll be looking at butyrate next.

@rachels_fyi6900 1 month ago

1. Please review reuteri strain for SIBO, SIFO and SIMO

@davidgreene8608 1 month ago

Thanks Mr gut doctor. I have a hiatal hernia but don’t want to have surgery. I maintain it pretty good but I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with skipped heart beats. Echo showed a healthy heart. Not taking PPI’s but do DGL and sometimes Tums.
Is there one piece of advice you’d recommend?

@ApostolosKatsioulas 1 month ago

I have IBS, nevertheless since I do find myself stressed at times, I'm thinking I shouldn't ditch glutamine.
Collagen, I do use for joint health. Psyllium seems to be of assistance when it comes to regularity.
Now when it comes to resistant starch I consume much of it, as for fermented foods I'll try goat's milk yoghurt since my experience with dairy is a nightmare (apart from whey neither milk nor kefir, soft cheeses, cow or sheep milk yoghurt have been of help).