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Our guts hold so many answers to the things that happen to us, but only a few people realize how important the digestive system is to their general wellbeing. Knowing the symptoms of an unhealthy gut can go a long way to help you fix the condition, as there are many seemingly unconnected health conditions that manifest due to a compromised digestive tract. Here are some of the common signs of an unhealthy gut and what you can do to solve the problem.
7 Signs You Have An Unhealthy Gut And What You Can Do To Fix It
Signs You Have An Unhealthy Gut
You Call In Sick Regularly
Have you noticed you are constantly complaining of not feeling well and calling in sick to work regularly? You seem to have a new issue every week, and your health fluctuates like the weather. This behavior might be a sign of an unhealthy gut.
According to The Gut Health Project over three-quarters of the immune system lives in the digestive system, so your body’s ability to fight off diseases may be impaired by not-too-good gut health.
If your gut is healthy, it produces healthy mucus which absorbs harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins while improving the absorption of vitamins and minerals needed to boost the immune system.
However, an unhealthy gut creates harmful mucus that increases the population of harmful microbes and compromises your immune system.
Anxiety, Stress, and Depression
Studies show that over 90 percent of the feel-good hormone serotonin is produced in the gut. This explains why an unhealthy gut can influence the mood and cause anxiety, depression and increase stressful emotions.
The lining of the intestines contains nerves that communicate with the brain and produce serotonin and dopamine. The next time you have diarrhea, and you are feeling down, remember that your gut is a critical part of how you feel about yourself.
Weight Gain
Your gut is as essential to your weight loss goals as exercise and dieting. The microbiome in our gut affects the way the body responds to hunger, how it controls blood sugar levels, and how the body stores fat.
If your gut has the wrong types of bacteria, you might never be able to burn that stubborn fat in your stomach, butt and thighs no matter the diet and exercise you put your body through.
Fatigue
One of the tell-tale signs of a sick gut is fatigue. If after sleeping for eight straight hours, you still find it hard to get yourself out of bed; it may be due to an imbalanced microbiome that’s preventing your body from absorbing energy-giving nutrients from your diet.
Also Read: 5 Simple Ways to Increase Your Energy
Auto-Immune Diseases
Studies have shown that poor gut health causes inflammation within the body thus making the body more prone to diseases such as Lupus, Celiac Disease, Rheumatoid arthritis type 2 diabetes and more.
Skin Problems
Some people have a nagging skin problem that defies every type of skin treatment. But experts say that an unhealthy gastrointestinal system can lead to persistent skin problems such as eczema, acne, dandruff and so on.
Yeast Infections
If your digestive system is imbalanced, it can increase the rate of yeast infections. Besides the various digestive issues caused by an imbalanced microbiome, an unhealthy gut can cause fungal infections and candida.
How to Fix an Unhealthy Gut
An unhealthy gut can be fixed by keeping a healthy lifestyle. Here are some of the things you can do to bring your gut health to optimal health.
Cut Down the Sugar
Sugar is known to aid the growth of the harmful bacteria in the gut. You can reduce the population of these bacteria and thus balance your gut by reducing or eliminating sugar from your diet. Sugar is addictive so decreasing it intake may be a hard task, but it is possible with some help. I recommend the book The 21 Day Sugar Detox to help decrease your sugar intake.
Consume Whole, Nutritious Foods
Eating a diet consisting of nutrient-rich whole foods can help your gut. Bad bacteria benefit from the chemicals used in processed foods. Heal Your Gut Diet further breaks down nutrition things to eat to heal your gut.
Drink More Water
Maintaining a healthy gut requires a lot of liquid. Stay hydrated at all times. The recommended amount of water is your body weight divided to 2. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds this means you divide 180 by 2.
The results equal to you drinking a minimum of 90 ounces of water. If you have a hard time remember your water intake like I do try the Hydrate Spark 2.0. This nifty water bottle blinks every hour to remind you to drink water. Learn more here.
Chew Your Food
Insufficient chewing does your gut more harm than good. When you don’t chew properly, your gut has to do more work to digest the food, and healthy bacteria in the gut are deprived of nourishment. So slow down and enjoy every morsel of your food.
Load Up On Probiotics
Probiotic supplements and fermented foods are one of the best ways of correcting an imbalance in your microbiome. When you eat fermented foods or take probiotics, you increase the number of good bacteria that live in your intestines which has a strong influence on your immune system as well as almost every other facet of your health and wellness.
Take Apple Cider Vinegar
There are many kinds of vinegar, but Apple cider vinegar can help to increase the acid content of your gastric tract and improve the digestive system.
Final Thoughts
An unhealthy gut can negatively impact your health and may reduce your quality of life if left untreated. Knowing the signs can help you take steps to improve your overall health or seek medical help if conditions become worse or intolerable.
-Shameka Renee
Results may vary. Information and statements made are for general purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Her Own Health does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Her Own Health are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
