Every individual’s gut microbiome affects their digestive health. And when the gut is not healthy, it can lead to various ailments like diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome. So, all should know the signs of poor gut health and what to do to facilitate healthy gut microbiome. Therefore, stay tuned till the end as in this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about gut health.
Gut Microbiome
There are trillions of bacteria along with other microorganisms residing in the digestive tract of every human. The microorganisms can be harmful or helpful. So, healthy microbiome means having the perfect balance of bad and good bacteria.
And if the harmful bacteria outnumber the good gut bacteria, there can be many health issues like digestive disorders and skin problems. This condition of gut microbiome imbalance is known as dysbiosis.
Now let’s learn about the signs of poor gut health.
Signs of an Unhealthy Gut
1. Skin issues
There is a type of bacteria that thrives in the gut and it causes psoriasis, an irritable skin condition. If the beneficial bacteria is present in a lower concentration in your gut, skin health as well as the immune system of the body can get impacted in multiple ways.
2. Poor digestion
Do you frequently suffer from digestive health issues.Then you must keep in mind that stomach disturbances are among the major signs of poor gut health. Some digestive issues include:
- gas
- constipation
- heartburn
- bloating
- diarrhea
Wondering what’s the reason behind these digestive problems? The answer is simple. An unbalanced gut makes it difficult for the digestive system to process food and eliminate waste.
3. Autoimmune disorders
Doctors have confirmed that there are connections between the immune system and the gut. Systemic inflammation gets worse when the gut microbes are not in control. So, the immune system fails to function properly. Then the person can suffer from an autoimmune disease, and it means the body starts attacking the healthy organs and cells assuming they are harmful invaders.
4. Fatigue
Studies have revealed that fatigue can be one of the signs of unhealthy gut. Fragmented sleep is another side effect of unbalanced gut microbiota which can make a person fatigued. The exact causes behind this are unclear and it appears to be linked to metabolic function, mental health, and inflammation.
5. Sudden weight changes
Losing or gaining weight drastically even if you haven’t altered your diet is alarming. It can be indicative of several serious conditions and that explains why you should get yourself checked.
If you have an imbalanced gut, it becomes challenging for your body to regulate blood sugar levels, store fat, and absorb nutrients. So, if you are losing weight despite eating well, it can be because of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). Weight gain, on the other hand, can be due to increased inflammation or insulin resistance.
Reasons to Improve Your Gut Health
Did you know that the bacteria in the gut can also impact your overall health? Yes, research has proved that a person’s chances of getting affected with the following conditions increases significantly if they do not look after their gut:
- mental health problems
- cancer
- gastrointestinal disorders
- endocrine conditions
- cardiovascular ailments
- central nervous system problems
Tips to Improve Gut Health
When it comes to improving gut health, there are several things recommended by healthcare professionals. So, let us discover how to get rid of gut health problems.
- Take probiotics on a daily basis. Apple cider vinegar, yogurt, fermented pickles, kimchi, and kambucha are some great options to intake.
- You should also add prebiotic foods to your diet like chia seeds, whole grains, flax seeds, asparagus, garlic, onions, artichokes, peas, beans, lentils, and chickpeas.
- As stress influences the gut microbiome, opt for stress management techniques to ensure you have low stress levels.
- Physical activity can be the best friend of your gut and hence, exercise for at least 30 minutes regularly.
- Not getting sufficient sleep at night can seriously impact the gut health and so, prioritize sleeping for 7-8 hours.
- If you have any food allergies, to maintain a healthy gut, stay away from those foods.
To Sum Up
So, now that you know the poor gut health symptoms, it will be easy for you to figure out if you have a healthy gut or not. Watch out for the symptoms of poor gut health and keep your gut healthy by following the above-mentioned tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the common signs of poor gut health?
A: When your gut is in poor condition, you will notice various symptoms of gut issues. Gas, stress, bloating, sleep disturbances, heartburn, constipation, fatigue, and diarrhoea are obvious signs that your gut may be unhealthy
Q. How can poor gut health affect your overall well-being?
A: If someone’s gut health for a prolonged period, the entire body can get affected. Then you’ll be more likely to suffer from conditions such as Crohn’s disease and colitis. Some types of gut bacteria can even be responsible for causing heart diseases. The harmful bacteria in your gut can also cause chronic kidney disease.
