Introduction
Gut health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, many of us don’t pay enough attention to our gut health until something goes wrong. If you’re experiencing any of the signs that something is wrong with your gut, it’s important to take action. Eating the right foods can help to improve your gut health and reduce the symptoms of digestive issues. In this article, we’ll discuss the signs that something is wrong with your gut and provide some tips on what to eat and what to avoid.
Signs There is Something Wrong With Your Gut
Gut health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, many people don’t pay attention to their gut until something goes wrong. If you’re experiencing any of the following signs, it’s time to take a closer look at your gut health.
1. Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is one of the most common signs of a gut issue. It can range from mild to severe and can be localized to one area or spread throughout the abdomen. If you’re experiencing abdominal pain, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor.
2. Bloating
Bloating is another common sign of a gut issue. It can be caused by a variety of things, including food intolerances, bacterial overgrowth, and digestive disorders. If you’re experiencing bloating, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor.
3. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common symptom of a gut issue. It can be caused by a variety of things, including food intolerances, bacterial overgrowth, and digestive disorders. If you’re experiencing diarrhea, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor.
4. Constipation
Constipation is another common sign of a gut issue. It can be caused by a variety of things, including food intolerances, bacterial overgrowth, and digestive disorders. If you’re experiencing constipation, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor.
5. Fatigue
Fatigue is another common sign of a gut issue. It can be caused by a variety of things, including food intolerances, bacterial overgrowth, and digestive disorders. If you’re experiencing fatigue, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor.
Eat This, Not That
If you’re experiencing any of the above signs, it’s important to make changes to your diet. Eating a diet rich in fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics can help improve gut health. Additionally, avoiding processed foods, sugar, and alcohol can help reduce inflammation and improve digestion. Eating a balanced diet of whole foods is the best way to support your gut health.
An unhealthy gut can do more than cause tummy troubles–when your microbiome is off your mood can be too. “Living inside every person are trillions of microorganisms- bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses-that are collectively known as the microbiome,” Dr. Jessica Cho, M.D. and Integrative Medicine Specialist with Wellness at Century City tells us. She adds, “When you are healthy, your microbiome detoxifies your gut, boosts your immunity, and synthesizes specific vitamins and amino acids. Thus, several diseases including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and autism spectrum disorder-are now thought to be influenced by the gut microbiome.” Recognizing the signs of a microbiome imbalance is essential to overall health and Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with experts who share what signals to look out for. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Samrat Jankar, Surgical Gastroenterologist, Gastroenterologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon and Colorectal Surgeon with Clinic Spots says, “Your gut microbiome is the collection of all the microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa) that live in your digestive tract. These microbes play a crucial role in keeping you healthy by helping to break down food, synthesize vitamins, and protect against pathogens.”
Dr. Jankar says, “There are several things you can do to help keep your gut microbiome healthy, including:
-Eating a diverse array of fresh fruits and vegetables
-Avoiding processed foods
-Limiting your intake of antibiotics”
Dr. Cho shares, “Environmental exposures and diet may tip the balance of your microbiome, leading to higher susceptibility to infection. Probiotics, which are foods that naturally host microbiota or supplement pills, repair your microbiome and support your digestive health.”
Dr. Jankar tells us, “Poor gut health has been linked to a variety of mood disorders, including anxiety and depression. This is thought to be due to the fact that the gut and brain are connected via the vagus nerve, which allows for communication between the two. Additionally, gut microbes produce neurotransmitters that can impact mood. Therefore, maintaining a healthy gut is essential for good mental health.”
Dr. Cho explains, “Your microbiota influences not only the gut, but also brain function through immune and endocrine pathways and the nervous system. The gut microbiota of individuals with mood disorders contrasts significantly with that of healthy individuals because it secrets neurotransmitters and metabolites that influence our natural neurotransmitter levels, which affects behavior and mood. Poor gut health has been linked to a myriad of mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.”
Dr. Cho says, “Digestion issues including IBS, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and bloating are a sign of an unhealthy gut. Simple carbs like glucose and lactose are easily absorbed by our own small intestine, but we rely on our gut microbiome to help digest more complex structures. With a malfunctioning gut microbiome, we may experience digestive problems.”
According to Dr. Cho, “Autoimmune diseases such as thyroid conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. Some microbes occupy niches in our gut that might otherwise host harmful bacteria, so without a robust microbiome, we may be more susceptible.”
“Your gut microbiome influences inflammatory markers, which contributes to weight management,” Dr. Cho explains.
Dr. Cho states, “there is a bi-directional relationship between gut microbiome and heavy metal toxicity. Heavy metals may contribute to the progression of various metabolic diseases due to perturbations of the gut microbiota by altering the pH, oxidative balance, and concentrations of detoxification enzymes in heavy metal metabolism and compromised integrity of intestinal barrier.”
Heather Newgen