What an Unhealthy Gut Feels Like, According to Experts — Eat This Not That

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By Ghuman

Introduction

Having an unhealthy gut can be a difficult and uncomfortable experience. It can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from digestive issues to fatigue and even mental health issues. According to experts, an unhealthy gut can feel like a range of things, from bloating and gas to changes in mood and energy levels. In this article, we’ll explore what an unhealthy gut feels like, according to experts, and how to address it. We’ll also discuss the importance of a healthy gut and how to maintain it. By understanding the signs and symptoms of an unhealthy gut, you can take steps to improve your gut health and overall wellbeing.

What an Unhealthy Gut Feels Like, According to Experts — Eat This Not That

Having an unhealthy gut can be a difficult experience. It can cause a range of symptoms, from digestive issues to fatigue and more. But what does an unhealthy gut actually feel like? We asked experts to explain what an unhealthy gut feels like and how to recognize the signs.

What an Unhealthy Gut Feels Like

According to Dr. Robynne Chutkan, MD, a gastroenterologist and author of The Microbiome Solution, an unhealthy gut can cause a range of symptoms. “The most common symptoms of an unhealthy gut are bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue,” she says. “But an unhealthy gut can also manifest as skin issues, joint pain, headaches, brain fog, and mood issues.”

Dr. Chutkan adds that an unhealthy gut can also lead to nutrient deficiencies, which can cause a range of symptoms. “Nutrient deficiencies can cause fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails, and anemia,” she says. “It can also lead to a weakened immune system, which can make you more susceptible to infections.”

How to Recognize the Signs of an Unhealthy Gut

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s important to recognize the signs of an unhealthy gut. Dr. Chutkan recommends keeping a food and symptom journal to help you identify any potential triggers. “Write down what you eat and how you feel afterwards,” she says. “This can help you identify any foods that may be causing digestive issues.”

It’s also important to pay attention to your body and how it responds to certain foods. “If you’re experiencing digestive issues after eating certain foods, it’s a sign that your gut is unhealthy,” says Dr. Chutkan. “It’s also important to pay attention to how you feel after eating. If you’re feeling tired or sluggish after eating, it could be a sign that your gut is unhealthy.”

How to Improve Your Gut Health

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of an unhealthy gut, there are steps you can take to improve your gut health. Dr. Chutkan recommends eating a diet rich in fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics. “Fiber helps to feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut, while prebiotics and probiotics help to replenish the beneficial bacteria,” she says. “Eating a diet rich in these nutrients can help to improve your gut health.”

In addition to eating a healthy diet, Dr. Chutkan recommends reducing stress and getting enough sleep. “Stress and lack of sleep can have a negative impact on your gut health,” she says. “Try to reduce stress and get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night.”

By following these tips, you can help to improve your gut health and reduce the symptoms of an unhealthy gut. Remember, it’s important to pay attention to your body and how it responds to certain foods. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of an unhealthy gut, it’s important to take steps to improve your gut health.

Most of us don’t realize what an unhealthy gut feels like and unless you have IBS, SIBO or Crohn’s Disease, chances are you’re not paying attention to your gut health, which is a mistake according to experts. “Our gut has influence over many of the major functions of the body.  In particular it is essential in the immune function of the body. Sarah Anderson, a cardiology and functional medicine nurse practitioner with Peak Integrative Wellness tells Eat This, Not That! Health. An unhealthy gut doesn’t just mean tummy troubles, it can also cause depression, fatigue, skin irritations and affect our overall well-being. ETNT Health! spoke with experts who explain what an unhealthy gut feels like and signs you have one. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.

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Dr. Emil Hodzovic, a gut health expert shares, “To have an unhealthy gut means to have a digestive system that is not able to process food properly, which leads to digestive issues such as gas, bloating and abdominal pain. The immune system can become weak because there isn’t enough bacteria in the gut, which can cause chronic pain, fatigue, diarrhea, or constipation.”

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Dr. Hodzovic explains, “The gut and brain have much more of a connection then you would think. They are connected through millions of nerves and the gut and its microbes control inflammation that can affect brain health. For example, for someone who suffers from anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders, their brain can cause imbalances and dysfunction to their gut. Keeping your brain and gut healthy are important since they’re so closely connected.” 

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Dr. Hodzovic states, “Beyond the simple importance of the gut itself for extracting the vital nutrition required for us to live and function, the gut is also a key part of our immune system, blocking the entry of harmful substances into the body keeping us from getting sick. More recently we have also started to uncover a direct connection between the gut and our brains which can affect our mood, sleep and possibly much more. Your gut health can help maintain and keep other important parts healthy and going accordingly, so it is extremely important to do everything you can do to keep this area of your body healthy.” 

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According to Dr. Hodzovic, “The worst thing we can do to our gut health is to not recognize the signs of an unhealthy gut and not take the steps to improve our gut and overall health. An unhealthy gut can be caused by a wide range of issues including a diet in high or processed foods, stress, antibiotics, alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, environment, not eating enough fibers, food with gluten, not exercising regularly, or chronic medical and chronic medical conditions.”

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Dr. Hodzovic states, “Some of those signs of an unhealthy gut can be an upset stomach, bloating, gas, unintentional weight changes, constant fatigue and trouble sleeping, food intolerances, skin irritations, mood issues, increased sugar cravings due to a high-sugar diet and more. Having an unhealthy gut can make people feel uncomfortable and tiring.” 

Anderson adds, “Symptoms of an unhealthy gut are often symptoms of GI distress – gas, bloating, constipation, bad breath (halitosis), acid reflux, diarrhea, nausea, but they can also be more general symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, cravings, mood disturbances, acne, and aching joints. People often feel frustrated when they have an unhealthy gut.  They may be trying to lose weight, and are having difficulty losing weight. They may struggle with mental health disorders and the medications prescribed don’t work. They may struggle with recurrent UTI or vaginal yeast infections. They feel bad after eating certain foods or struggle with severe food cravings, particularly sugar and high carb foods.”  

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“Many underestimate the importance of gut health and think it is only related to symptoms of bloating or gas, however there is a lot more to it than that,” Dr. Hodzovic emphasizes. “Your gut health can also impact how your immune system works, how well you sleep at night, your skin health, changes in weight, and many other functions. One of the most underrated things we can do to improve gut health is get a good night’s rest each night, while working on controlling stress levels. Sleep and stress go together because a lack of sleep can increase stress and high stress can impact sleep – both of which affect the gut. While the gut-sleep relationship is complicated, they are closely connected, in particular, healthy gut bacteria are linked to better sleep.” 

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Dr. Hodzovic suggests doing the following:

  • “Things that are bad for your overall health are bad for your gut. Cut back on items such as added sugars, trans fats, heavily processed red meat, and alcohol. As always, moderation is important.  
  • Consistency is key. Form health habits and daily routines to support a healthy gut. These could include getting out of the habit of snacking, especially late at night, and sleeping a full eight hours each night.  
  • Utilize supplements or replace with gut-healthy items such as probiotic foods (sauerkraut, yogurt, and kimchi), prebiotic foods (raw veggies, leafy greens, raw onions, leeks, and artichokes) and healthy fats (vitamins D, E and K, found in coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil and avocados).  
  • Try to eat slowly. Eating slowly improves digestion by giving your stomach more time to break down food which improves your overall gut health. It also reduces the chances of overeating.
  • Introduce gut health supplements packed with healthy prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to give your gut the support it needs.” 

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