Your gut is the index of your health. What type of gut bacteria you host makes all the difference between health and disorders. It is because of this reason gut bacteria are a subject of fascination for researchers. Complex but vital to your health
Decades of studies link gut bacteria to the activity of the immune and digestive system. If there is an imbalance in the healthy and unhealthy gut bacteria it leads to,
- Skin problems such as acne, rosacea
- Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, brain fog
- Auto-immune disorders like Hashimoto, IBS
No doubt, if your gut is in order, your health is in order. But, how to tell if your gut bacteria is off?
7 Signs of Gut Bacteria Imbalance
1) Digestive issues: Bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation can all mean a messed up gut.
2) Skin conditions: If you are prone to acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. It could be due to a lower count of healthy gut bacteria.
3) Autoimmunity: Bad gut bacteria trigger the immune system to attack itself. Instead of the harmful invaders body's cells get attacked. Studies link autoimmune conditions to imbalances in gut bacteria population.
4) Chronic fatigue: A damaged gut can influence your ability to sleep. It can lead to poor sleep that reflects as fatigue in the day. Your gut makes the hormone serotonin, that affects your sleep.
5) Weight gain: If your gut is out of whack gaining weight happens fast. Yes! It can happen despite no major changes to your eating and exercise habits. Unhealthy gut affects nutrient absorption, blood sugar, and fat storage leading to weight gain.
6) Mental health: Research shows that gut helps make brain chemicals. These neurotransmitters influence your emotions like anxiety, depression. About ninety percent of serotonin (the feel-good hormone) is from the gut.
7) Food intolerances: Food intolerances occur when you have difficulty digesting certain foods. It leads to symptoms like bloating, gas, nausea and abdominal pain. Poor gut bacteria can be a cause for food intolerances. Note that food intolerances are different from food allergies.
Ways to Improve your Gut Bacteria
Boost the fiber: Include plenty of fruits and vegetables to amp up your fiber intake. Good bacteria thrive on undigested fiber in the gut. It confers many benefits, including the feeling of fullness and a trim waist.
Stop eating sugar: Sugar triggers inflammation, feed bad bacteria and kills good bacteria. It results in systemic inflammation that harms your body.
Add probiotics: Probiotics and fermented foods are your gut's best friend. Include fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi. Also, probiotics like full fat Greek yogurt promote the population of healthy bacteria.
Start a garden: Gardening exposes you to soil bacteria that encourages healthy gut. It also supports positive mood. Plus, tending to a vegetable garden yields organic produce that encourage healthy gut bacteria.
Avoid refined food: Refined food damage your gut lining. Besides digestive issues, it leads to bad bacteria overgrowth.
A healthy gut bacteria is your big ticket to preventing a plethora of health issues. So do what it takes to nourish it!
You may also be interested in:
4 Best & Worst Foods for Leaky Gut Syndrome
Gut Bacteria: the Link to Obesity & Diabetes?
4 Simple Steps to Heal Your Gut
All my love,
Danette