Endotoxin
Plain-English definitions of microbiome research vocabulary — the terms you'll see across articles, testing services, and probiotic claims.
A toxic component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, released when the bacteria die. The most common endotoxin is lipopolysaccharide (LPS). When endotoxins cross a compromised intestinal barrier into the bloodstream, they trigger systemic inflammation — a process called metabolic endotoxaemia.
Related terms
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
A component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. When LPS enters the bloodstream through a compromised intestinal barrier, it triggers inflammation — a key mechanism linking gut health to systemic disease.
Intestinal Permeability
The property of the intestinal lining that controls what passes from the gut into the bloodstream. Increased permeability (sometimes called "leaky gut") allows harmful substances to enter circulation, triggering immune responses.