The gut is one of the most complex parts of the human body. Over the last couple of decades, it has become an increasingly important part of the conversation around its impact on overall health and the effect it can have on numerous parts of the body outside of the digestive system. In fact, many studies have linked gut health to integral roles in human mood, emotions, mental health, immune system function, skin conditions, and even cancer.
Having a balanced gut microbiome is the first step in achieving a healthier body. Although our goal is to achieve a healthy balance in the gut, many Americans have an unhealthy gut, leading to other chronic and detrimental health conditions and issues.
Let’s dive into understanding a gut microbiome and how unhealthy signs can help you recognize and improve your gut health.
What is a gut microbiome?
By definition, the gut microbiome refers to the microorganisms present in your digestive tract. They include millions of microorganisms like bacteria and archaea. Most of the gut microbiome is found within a large section of the large intestine.
Essentially, the makeup of these gut microorganisms acts as another organ in your body, helping to regulate your overall health. Therefore, if there is an imbalance of healthy and unhealthy bacteria, it can cause adverse health problems.
Knowing the signs of an unhealthy gut is imperative to understand exactly how to heal your gut moving forward.
5 Signs of an Unhealthy Gut
1. An Upset Stomach
One of the first signs of an unhealthy gut is frequent stomach issues such as gas, bloating, pain, discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, or heartburn. This tell-tale sign is your body’s way of physically showing you that something is wrong within the digestive tract, especially if your symptoms are happening often.
A balanced gut will have fewer issues with consuming and processing food, causing you to have regular bowel movements and waste excretion. The best way to rebalance your gut when experiencing symptoms of an upset stomach includes changing your diet and adding foods to your daily menu that are healthy for your gut.
2. A Highly-Processed Diet
What you eat matters. A diet high in processed foods will directly impact your overall gut health. Avoid highly processed foods or those that contain numerous artificial additives as they are considered foreign substances to your body and often rejected by your gut bacteria and improperly processed in your body, leading to an upset stomach or other physical ailments. In addition, foods high in sugar increase your risk of inflammation throughout the body, causing your digestive system to become imbalanced rather quickly. Longstanding inflammation has even been linked to some forms of cancer if left untreated. Instead, stick to a balanced diet filled with fresh ingredients and natural elements.
3. Autoimmune Conditions
One of the most prevalent physical signs of an unhealthy gut is the presence of autoimmune disorders and conditions. An increase in inflammation throughout the body can cause the immune system to work improperly, leading to autoimmune disorders, turning the body against itself to fight off inflammation instead of working against foreign substance invaders.
4. Skin Irritation
Changes in the skin can be linked to an imbalance in the gut. The most common skin condition linked to an unhealthy gut is eczema. Inflammation in the gut can manifest as skin conditions caused by leaking proteins from poor diets. This change can irritate the skin’s surface and turn into eczema, dermatitis, or other skin conditions.
5. Sleep Problems
If you’ve noticed changes in your sleep pattern or have recently struggled with the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, an imbalance in your gut may be to blame. In turn, lack of sleep increases your body’s stress response causing your gut to become inflamed. This often leads to bloating, gas, discomfort, and food sensitivities.
Ways to improve gut health
Although gut health imbalances can manifest themselves in various aspects of your life, including sleep, diet, and health conditions, there are many ways to improve and better balance your gut health for the long run.
Some of the best ways to improve your gut health include:
Eating a balanced diet high in fiber, fermented, plant-based, and whole foods
Getting enough sleep each night
Drinking enough water
Exercising regularly
Getting any symptoms checked quickly to avoid further complications and benefit from early treatment options
Visit a gastroenterologist for any outlying digestive tract issues
Staying up to date with yearly physicals
Taking probiotics
Avoiding excessive sugar intake
Reducing stress
Maintaining a healthy gut is imperative to your overall health. But, if you’re currently experiencing symptoms consistent with an unhealthy gut, we can help. Schedule an appointment today to help get your gut health back on track.