3 Signs of An Unhealthy Gut
Maintaining our gut health is vital for overall wellness, immune support, and regulating our digestion and absorption. This effects how we feel, our mood, energy levels, metabolism, sleep etc.
What we eat is essential to maintaining gut health. Our gut microbiome is made of trillions of good and bad bacteria all in a delicate balance, but when thrown off-balance by things like the foods we eat, stress, sleep, it can have a large effect on our health. Our body works to keep everything in balance and our vital systems working properly, but if we aren’t giving it what it needs to function at full capacity, then it can manifest in several unpleasant ways. Here are 3 signs to look out for if you have an unhealthy gut and what you can do to fix it.
Irregular bowels
If you are not going regularly (at least once daily), have diarrhea, straining, or have pain associated with your bowels, lasting more than 2-3 months several times per week, these are all signs of gut irregularity. It’s time to look into the foods you are eating. You may need to add a fiber supplement to your diet if you are not reaching the recommendations through food sources, the majority of Americans don’t reach fiber recommendations by at least 50% so I recommend increasing foods rich in fiber to “keep things moving.” Whole grains, oats, whole wheat, legumes, fruits and vegetables, all are foods containing high fiber. I add a scoop of inulin to my coffee or oats everyday to keep my gut healthy.
Food Intolerances
Food intolerances are associated with gut imbalances and can lead to symptoms like stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, acid reflux/heart burn. If you notice symptoms after eating certain foods lasting more than a few months, then I recommend an elimination diet to identify which foods to limit in your diet. You don’t want to eliminate foods that you are not intolerant too, this will cause more harm than good, but only the foods you are most sensitive. I recommend the FODMAP diet, which is proven to help with IBS symptoms, like stomach pain, bowel irregularity, bloating etc.
Skin Irritation
If you are prone to skin issues like eczema, acne, or rosacea, (just to name a few) then it may be a sign that your gut is imbalanced. Skin issues are a sign of Inflammation in the body and are associated with an unhealthy gut microbiome. Take note of any skin changes after eating certain foods or in relation to stomach upset. I tend to break-out and develop eczema after eating a high sugar diet, or foods that I am intolerant to.