Signs of Gut Imbalance
Gut Health: Part 2 of 3
Written by Alysson Bluhm
Edits by Becca Reckmeyer, PN
So you’ve read all about the importance of the gut and keeping it happy, healthy & nourished! (And if you haven’t, see Part 1.) Now you’re asking, how do I know if it’s not happy? Well, your body is incredible and will clue you in when your gut isn’t functioning at its finest. Here are a few of the most common signs to watch for:
- Abdominal discomfort (gas and bloating)
Let’s be clear, gas is produced as a normal part of digestion and fermentation within the gut, but when there’s too much, you’ll know it! The uncomfortable build-up of gas is the result of poor digestion, which can be caused by a variety of physiological and lifestyle factors.
- Irregularity (going too much or not enough)
An imbalance in gut bacteria can throw off regular bowel movements. Bowel movements more than 2-3 times per day or only every other day is a good sign that something is off.
- Suffering skin health
Your gut is in direct communication with your skin through the gut-skin axis. An imbalance in your gut can cause an imbalance in your skin which can show up as irritation, rashes, and acne.
- Mood
Research has shown that certain hormones in the gut actually control the signaling between your gut and brain. If this connection is thrown off, there is a good chance your mood will express it!
- Sugar cravings
The bacteria in your gut want to grow and flourish – that includes the not-so-great bacteria. Yeast, a type of bacteria, love sugar as their source of fuel. If your gut contains too much yeast, it can lead to intense sugar cravings, and as you probably know, eating too much of this inflammatory food further separates you from a healthy gut.
- Poor sleep
This is two-fold. For one, an unhealthy gut can negatively affect your circadian rhythm causing you to lose out on quality and/or quantity of sleep. The double-whammy – people who do not get a sufficient amount of sleep are often found to have abnormal levels of certain bacteria overall. Prioritize quality sleep!
- Immune health
Bottom line, if your gut is healthy, your immune system is healthy. After all, approximately 70% of the immune system resides in your gut!
If your body is giving you any of these clues, it may be time to take the hint and start actively promoting your gut health! Check back for our third and final post of this series: 4 Ways to Promote Gut Health.
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