We are continuously told that it’s important to eat well because it’ll help us stay in shape. But it’s also important to consider how eating well can affect our gut health. Our gut is the balance of microorganisms living in our digestive tract. There is an estimated 100 trillion of these bacteria, yeast, and viruses in the gut. These microorganisms play a huge role in not just the health of our digestive system, but also for our overall health. There have been multiple studies showing that gut health is linked between the immune system, mood, mental health, autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, skin conditions, and cancer. But how do we know if we have good gut health? There are a few signs that we can be on the lookout for when it comes to our gut.
1. Frequently upset stomach
Stomach issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or even heartburn can be an indicator of poor gut health. These are all symptoms related to issues in food processing. A healthy gut will be better able to digest and absorb food in our tract
2. Sudden weight gain or loss
Unintentional changes in your weight may be a sign of poor gut health. These are unintentional when we haven’t made any large changes to our diet or exercise. This likely occurs due to issues with nutrient absorption and fat storage because of an impaired gut microbiome.
3. Sleep problems
Disturbances in our sleep can often occur because of an issue with gut health. This may be because serotonin, the hormone that affects sleep and mood, is produced in the gut.
4. Food Intolerance
While sometimes food intolerance is genetic or due to other constraints, food intolerance can also be induced due to poor gut health. If you find yourself not being able to handle foods that you were previously able to digest well, you may have issues with your gut.
Works Cited:
Sethi, S. (2018, July 2). What’s an Unhealthy Gut? How Gut Health Affects You. Retrieved from healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health