It is now generally understood that a deficiency of beneficial enzymes in the gut can often lead to gut dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut). Here’s how:

Enzymes and Digestion: Beneficial enzymes in the gut, produced by the body and gut microbes, are crucial for breaking down food into smaller, absorbable nutrients.
Undigested Food and Dysbiosis: When there’s a deficiency of these enzymes, food may not be properly digested. This undigested food then travels further down the digestive tract, where it can become a food source for certain types of bacteria, including potentially harmful ones. This can lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, where the population of “bad” bacteria overgrows the “good” bacteria.
Dysbiosis and Intestinal Permeability: Gut dysbiosis can damage the lining of the intestine. An overgrowth of certain bacteria can produce toxins and inflammatory substances that can weaken the tight junctions between the cells lining the intestinal wall.
Leaky Gut: When these tight junctions are compromised, the intestinal barrier becomes more permeable, allowing substances like undigested food particles, bacteria, and toxins to leak out of the gut and into the bloodstream. This is known as increased intestinal permeability or “leaky gut.”
Inflammation and Further Issues: The leakage of these substances can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which can contribute to various health problems and further exacerbate gut dysbiosis and intestinal permeability, creating a vicious cycle.

Therefore, a deficiency in beneficial gut enzymes can be a significant factor contributing to both gut dysbiosis and the development of a leaky gut. Thus addressing enzyme deficiencies through diet or supplementation can be an important contribution to gut health. This is part of the GAPS method to repair the gut.