The health of your gut microbiome impacts your overall health in more ways than you realize.
In recent years, gut health has become a hot topic in the wellness space.
And considering how the state of your gut microbiome (i.e.
Carol Yepes/Getty Images
So, what are some mental and bodily clues that your gut health needs some TLC?
Read on for some surprising signs and symptoms of sub-par gut health, according to the experts.
Carol Yepes/Getty Images
Youre more irritable than usual.
Many of us know what its like to experience a churning stomach due tostress and anxiety.
Specifically, the gut can send signals to the brain when its in distress, he says.
It does this usingneurons, or nerve cells, that are in charge of sending signals throughout the body.
In fact, there are more neurons in your GI tract than your brain (who knew?
), so gut issues can certainly cause mood issues such as irritability and anxiety, Dr. Sreenivasan says.
Youre inexplicably exhausted.
Your head hurts.
Additionally, hormonal imbalances that can trigger headaches and migraines may cause gut issues as well, he adds.
Youre constipated or bloated.
The too-full feeling could certainly be because of something you ate or not drinking enough water.
You have bad breath.
Another surprising sign of poor gut health is bad breath.
This can result in bad breath, a top gut health clue that shouldnt be ignored, Salazar says.
Youre irregular (for you).
You have new food sensitivities.
Gut issues can also triggerfood sensitivities, Salazar says.
One common example is a leaky gut, which refers to the permeability of the cells lining your intestine.
Sometimes, however, the gaps between cells become too large or loose, resulting in increased permeability.
This may contribute to food sensitivities, which can manifest as G.I.
symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea, as well as non-G.I.
signs such as headaches,brain fog, and skin rashes, Salazar adds.
Your skin is acting up.
For example, look for clues like frequent gas or the shape of your stool.
A good stool should be S shaped and easy to pass, says Salazar.
If these symptoms are present and you think your G.I.
tract needs a hand, try adding more gut-friendly habits to your daily routine.
Add more gut-healthy foods to your regular diet.
Foods high in bothprebioticsandprobioticsare important for an overall healthy gut microbiome.
Yogurt andfermented foodsare some of thebest foods for gut healthbecause they’re rich in gut-healthy bacteria.
And berries include nutrients like fiber and antioxidants that prevent gut-irritatinginflammation.
Eat more fiber from plants.
A great place to start is what youre eating and drinking.
Examples ofhigh-fiber foodsincludevegetables,fruits, legumes, and whole grains.
Eat less processed, high-sugar, and greasy/fried food.
Adopt some general healthy lifestyle habits.
Consider seeing a doctor.
If your digestive woes persist in the midst of gut-healthy habits, chat with your primary care doctor.
Your doctor might also have you consult a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition guidance, if needed.
Yoo JY, Groer M, Dutra SVO, Sarkar A, McSkimming DI.Gut microbiota and immune system interactions.Microorganisms.
2021;9(2):353. doi:10.3390/microorganisms9020353
