Is Your Gut Trying to Tell You Something?

Human gut is not only an organ of digestion but a complex ecosystem for a variety of microbes which significantly influence human health. Known as the second stomach, the gut hosts 100 trillions of microorganisms that not only affect the digestive system but also the immune, neurological and perhaps even the metabolic systems. If you’ve been feeling bloated, tired, moody, or any of the other symptoms, your gut may be trying to communicate something to you. Knowledge of the signals and prompt action toward promoting the health of the gastrointestinal tract may dramatically enhance the quality of life.

In this article, we will talk about how your gut is connected to your brain and what are the signs to look for when you’re having trouble with your gut.

The Gut-Brain Connection

The gut and the brain are interconnected through a communication channel known as the gut-brain axis, which includes CNS, ENS, and the gut microbiome. This link helps to explain why gut health may affect mental health and why mental health can affect gut health. For instance, gut microbiota can cause anxiety, depression, and even cognitive impairments if the balance of bacteria in the gut is off. According to a study published by Cell, 90% of the body’s serotonin, helps to control moods is made in the gut. 

If you have been struggling with a low mood or anxiety for a long time, it’s not simply that it’s ‘all in the mind’. It could be something to do with your gut microbiota. Such foods as processed foods, sugar and unhealthy fats can upset this balance and lead to inflammation and mental health disorders.

Signs Your Gut Health Needs Attention

Your gut often sends out warning signals when it's not functioning optimally. Common signs include:

Digestive Issues

Common signs of the unhealthy gut are bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or heartburn. Some of these problems may be due to dysbiosis, which means an imbalance in the gut microbiota, or food sensitivities.

Fatigue and Poor Sleep

A disturbed gut can impact on the levels of serotonin that has something to do with sleep. Also, inflammation and poor nutrient absorption cause chronic fatigue.

Frequent Illnesses

More than two-thirds of the body’s immunity is located in the gastrointestinal tract. If you often get sick, then you may have a problem with your gut bacteria that damages your immunity.

Skin Problems

Skin issues such as acne, eczema, or rosacea can be associated with what happens in the gut. For instance, a leaky gut will cause systemic inflammation, and this will show symptoms on the skin.

Food Intolerances

Problems with digestion of some meals may show poor balance of the gut flora or injury to the intestinal mucosa. Unlike food allergies, these intolerances are therefore indicators of poor gut health the body may be experiencing.

Factors That Harm Gut Health

Several factors can disrupt the delicate balance of your gut microbiome:

• Poor Diet: Consuming foods that contain high sugar, processed foods and unhealthy fats have been found to decrease good bacteria while increasing the bad bacteria.
• Stress: Prolonged stress alters the gut-brain axis hence causing dysbiosis (imbalance of microbes).
• Antibiotics: As much as antibiotics help to combat infections, they also destroy the good bacteria in the gut microbiome.
• Lack of Sleep: Sleep disturbances are known to change the composition of microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract and thus affect metabolism and mental health.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle is beneficial for gut health, whereas, a sedentary lifestyle is known to be a cause of dysbiosis.

How to Support Gut Health

The good news is that you can take steps to improve your gut health and restore balance.

Eat a Diverse Diet

Use fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats as some of the recommended food. Whole grains, beans, lentils and other foods that contain fiber nourish the good bacteria in your gut hence improving the gut microbiome.

Add Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics are defined as stream containing living beneficial bacteria that are found in some foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. It is a food to the bacteria and samples that contain such prebiotics include garlic, onions and bananas.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential because large amounts of water help in digestion, and support the healthy mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract, that prevents penetration by pathogens.

Manage Stress

This should include stress lowering habits such as practicing meditation or yoga or even deep breathing exercises. These activities may modulate the gut-brain axis and inflammation.

Get Enough Sleep

Adults should have at least 7-9 hours of good quality sleep. A study by the NIH reveals that getting enough of sleep can help regulate the gut bacteria.

Exercise Regularly

Walking for 30 minutes a day, for instance, shifts gut bacteria in a way that is beneficial for health.

Limit Antibiotics and NSAIDs

The only medications that should be taken occasionally are antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as they destroy the beneficial bacteria of the gut.

The Role of Gut Health in Chronic Diseases

An imbalance in the gut has been associated with a wide range of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Leaky gut inflammation may be the cause of insulin resistance, a condition that leads to type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, the gut bacteria have a role in the breakdown of cholesterol which is an essential component in heart health and blood pressure respectively.

Listening to Your Gut

Your body is always telling you something – through physical sensations, feelings, or energy levels. Listening to these signals and making these changes can change your life and provide a new perspective to gut health.

Though gut health may not sound like an essential factor, the role it plays in all aspects of health is beyond doubt. When you start making improvements to your gut, you are not only focusing on the digestive system, but also the wellbeing of yourself.

Conclusion

Our gut health is a great sign of our health state. Headaches, heartburn, stomach aches, tiredness, or irritability are your body’s way of telling you that something is out of whack. Learning about the gut and making changes to your life will allow you to regain control of the way you feel.

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