7 Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Gut
Symptoms of a compromised digestive system go far beyond gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and reflux. Poor gut health may be the root cause of many conditions you thought were unrelated. Recognizing that all systems of the body are connected means that an imbalance in one system can cause an imbalance in another. The center of all systems is your digestive system. If your gut is healthy, then the rest of your body will likely feel good also.
Here are the most common warning signs of an unhealthy gut:
- Weight Gain – Our gut bacteria influence how we store fat, how we balance blood glucose levels, and how the hormones that make us feel hungry or full respond. It doesn’t matter how much you exercise or how well you eat; you’re not losing the fat if your gut bacteria doesn’t allow it.
- Mood Disorders such as Anxiety and Depression – Science shows the importance of our gut bacteria in the development of brain symptoms and even shows that changes in the microbiome can induce depressive-like behaviors.
- Skin Conditions – An outward expression of an imbalance in the gut can cause acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. These symptoms can clear up once the intestinal bacteria are rebalanced.
- Fatigue – Not only do gut bacteria assist with the absorption of nutrients, but also parasites, food sensitivities, and bacterial overgrowths inhibit digestion which suppresses the immune system.
- Hay Fever and Sinus Complaints – Low diversity in gut bacteria is associated with seasonal pollen allergies.
- Headaches / Migraines – People with GI disorders present more frequently with headaches than the general population.
- Autoimmunity – In addition to genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, intestinal permeability (leaky gut) which allows larger molecules to enter the bloodstream such as food proteins, pathogens or toxins from our environment is a major factor in the development of autoimmunity.