 |
| Signs of an Unhealthy Gut |
First of
all, do you know what the gut is? Many people don’t know it by the name gut.
The gut
(gastrointestinal or digestive tract) is the long tube that begins from your mouth
and ends at your back passage (anus). It’s also literally the intestines.
When your gut is sound, the
rest of your body reflects positively. That's because your gut influences how
your body functions, from digestion to your mood and immune system. If your gut
is not at its healthiest, your body sends signals that include gas, bloating,
skin issues, poor concentration and tiredness.
Check out these
seven important signs that you have an unhealthy gut
1. Stomach issues
Do you
sometimes suffer from different on and off stomach issues like constipation,
bloating, diarrhea, and heartburn? If yes, then they can be signs that your gut
is unhealthy. Make sure you have a balanced gut to help you process food
properly and eliminate waste smoothly, rendering your stomach zero
disturbances.
2. Lack of Sleep
The cause
of lack of sleep can come from wide-ranging factors. Among them are hormonal
abnormalities, mental health issues, pain, diabetes, obesity etc. Besides, gut
health can also contribute to this, especially if you habitually consume
alcohol or sugary foods before bedtime. Note that the production of most of the
‘happy hormone’, called serotonin, happens in the gut. So, bad gut health can
hamper your sleep and mood. To find out where your sleep disturbances (insomnia
or poor sleep) are coming from, consult your healthcare provider for advice.
You may need to add more fibre to your diet, do regular exercise, avoid sugary
foods or contact a therapist to find out more about the intensity of your
mental health struggles.
3. Unintentional weight changes
Have you
ever lost or gained weight unplanned and for reasons you can’t tell? Seeing
your weight change when you have not made any diet or exercise changes may show
poor gut health. If your gut is imbalanced, your body may become impaired and
lose its natural nutrient absorption ability, blood sugar regulation, and fat
storage. The cause of the weight loss may be small intestinal bacterial
overgrowth (SIBO). The cause of weight gain may be insulin resistance or
overeating caused by a lower nutrient absorption.
4. Sugar Cravings
Surprisingly,
sugar cravings are one of the indicators of poor gut health. What happens is
that gut microbes release proteins that act like hunger-regulating hormones
called leptin and ghrelin. Apart from affecting our hunger levels and cravings,
the impact also influences our mood. Excessive sugar consumption helps negative
bacteria thrive off the sugar and secrete more proteins which push your
cravings further up.
According
to research, people who eat high amounts of refined sugars, especially
high-fructose corn syrup, end up with increased inflammation in the body.
Inflammation can cause cancer alongside other diseases. Enhancing your gut
health is a great way to eliminate these negative bacteria and improve your
overall mood and health.
5. Autoimmune conditions
There’s a
suggested link between gut performance and the immune system, and medical
researchers are still working to improve the evidence. The thought is that a
person with an unhealthy gut may experience increased systemic inflammation,
which may, in turn, inhibit the immune system from functioning properly. This can result in autoimmune diseases, which
means the body attacks itself.
6. Skin irritation
An
unhealthy gut can also manifest via conditions like eczema. When inflammation
occurs in the gut, the reason may be poor dieting or food allergies. This may
increase the “leaking” of certain proteins out into the body, irritating the
skin and causing eczema and other skin diseases.
7. Sluggishness
Anyone who
feeds themselves with a diet containing insufficient good bacteria helps bad
bacteria thrive. According to studies, people with digestive issues also
develop adrenal fatigue, which can again increase digestive issues. This occurs
when your immune system fights harder to remove bad bacteria from your body. Of
course, you don’t want such a vicious cycle in your body. The best solution is
to detox your body of overly processed or sugary foods and then embrace
toxin-removing recipes and promote gut health. A good example is bananas, eggs,
and chia seed pudding for breakfast and a Mediterranean chopped salad for
lunch. In the evening, you can try a
courgette and tomato lasagne and sometimes enchilada stuffed cabbage rolls.
Having read
these signs of an unhealthy gut above, what do you think about your gut health
now? If you have an unhealthy gut, do the following things on the list below to
improve your gut health:
1.
Change your diet
2.
Get enough sleep
3.
Lower your stress level
4.
Hydrate your body always
5.
Eat slowly
6.
Take a prebiotic or probiotic
Please
share your gut health experience with other readers on this page. Besides, I’ll
be there to respond to any questions you may have.
0 Comments