The gut is responsible for much more than digestion—it can alter mood, energy, skin health and clarity of thought. Gut imbalance can show up in patterns that you might not expect. Learning the 10 signs of an unhealthy gut can help you take charge of your health before things spiral.
Problems in the Tummy That Just Don’t Go Away
If bloating, gas or more visits to the bathroom are problems for you, your gut might be sending you a signal. Frequent cases of constipation or diarrhea might mean that your gut bacteria are not functioning well or that your digestion is disturbed. They’re more than something you just don’t like; they actually point out that your body is not maintaining proper health.
Acid Reflux That Lasts A Long Time
Heartburn can happen after a big meal and this is usually normal. However, when this is the pattern, it might be that your digestion is having problems. Frequent acid reflux usually demonstrates that your gut is having trouble breaking down food or that the gut lining is being overworked.
You Always Feel Tired, No Matter How Much Sleep You Have
When you have gut trouble, your body will tend to absorb less iron, magnesium and B vitamins. This may result in feeling constantly tired no matter how much sleep you get. Chronic tiredness may actually result from problems with your gut.
Having Emotions Flip and Feelings of Anxiety Out of the Blue
The gut is responsible for making about 90% of your serotonin which is the hormone that makes you feel good. Unhealthy gut bacteria will often lead to a bad mood. Sometimes emotions like sadness, anxiety or irritability are simply your gut fermenting the wrong way.
Problems with Memory and Trouble Staying Focused
Can’t focus? Having a mental block? Issues with your gut like inflammation could cause a state known as brain fog. Problems with digestion can just as easily cause brain symptoms as they can stomach upset.
Difficult-to-Treat Skin Problems
Problems such as acne, rashes or eczema could actually have deeper causes. Toxins in your body can trigger an inflammation of the gut which may result in skin problems. If using creams and ointments does not help, it may be an internal concern.
You Aren’t Feeling as Good About Healthy Food Options
Suddenly you find that you can no longer eat dairy or gluten? It could occur if your intestines are leaky which means partly digested food particles can enter your blood and stimulate your immune response. This is when food could start to create issues for some people.
Some Basic Ways to Begin Recovery
You can still help your gut even without changing lots of things. The following are a great place to begin:
- Choose foods high in fiber such as different vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
- Balance your gut bacteria by including yogurt, kefir and fermented foods in your diet.
- Have water throughout the day to aid digestion.
- Meditation, rest and activity calm the gut.
If problems do not go away, you should talk to either a doctor or a dietitian. They are able to run tests and make a plan that suits your particular needs.
Your Gut Can Tell You How to Stay Healthy
Being aware of the 10 signs of bad gut health allows you to tackle little health concerns before they become severe. You can repair your gut by following some easy steps and staying more aware.
