Because of antibiotic use, the junctions loosen causing leaky gut. Stress can also lead to the gut wall tight junctions to break down. It is a well-established fact that antibiotics can significantly disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome by killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria. Research has shown that this imbalance can lead to a condition known as increased intestinal permeability, which is often colloquially referred to as “leaky gut.” This happens when the “tight junctions” that hold the cells of the gut lining together are compromised, allowing larger molecules to pass through.