Signs Your Gut Health Is Out Of Balance

While gut health is still a relatively new field of research, what seems to be emerging from studies conducted is that the state of your gut may have a significant impact on your overall health. Poor gut health can result in some uncomfortable symptoms — and potentially  even serious health issues.

What is a healthy gut?

So what exactly does a healthy gut look like? Firstly, your gut refers to your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which is the group of organs that ingest and absorb nutrients and water. A healthy GI tract refers to a balanced combination of good bacteria and bad bacteria in this area.

Gut health signs to look for

While we can sometimes get ‘clues’ from our bodies to let us know that our health is on track, one of the most difficult things about gut health is that it’s often hard to know exactly what is going on inside of us. 

So what signs might indicate an imbalance of gut health?

Digestive problems

Digestive discomfort is one of the most obvious symptoms and probably the first one that people think of. Do you get acid reflux? Do you bloat regularly, get indigestion, or feel other digestive pain? Do you often get an upset stomach after eating certain foods and have to rush to the bathroom? Perhaps you feel like you need to go to the bathroom but can’t… 

While most people experience some type of gut upset at some time or another, if this is a recurring issue for you it might be a sign that your gut bacteria is imbalanced.

You get sick regularly

If you find that you often feel unwell and get sick, this could be due to your gut health. Regular, unexplained joint aches can also be a tell-tale sign. An estimated three quarters of your immune system is found in the gastrointestinal tract; this means that if your digestive system isn’t functioning effectively over an extended period of time, your immune system can be weakened — making you potentially more prone to sickness.

Skin issues

While there are many possible reasons for skin concerns, poor GI health may be one of them. If your healthy gut bacteria is out of balance, this may trigger skin conditions such as rashes and breakouts.

Mood swings

Of course, it could just be that time of the month but if you feel like your hormones are regularly getting the best of you, your GI tract health could be to blame. The food you eat can certainly affect your mood, and some studies have even indicated that poor gut health can correlate with mental health issues.   

Lack of energy

If you regularly feel tired or get ‘brain fog’, no matter how much sleep you might have had the night before, then this could be due to a digestive imbalance. Try to get enough sleep, exercise regularly and focus on providing your body with plenty of nutrients through a healthy diet. If you still feel sluggish, it might be worthwhile looking at some of the potential irritants in your diet that could be upsetting your gut health balance.

How to help your gut health

Keep in mind that these symptoms are only general indicators that your digestive health might be out of balance. While many of these signs might relate to gut imbalance, there could be other issues causing them — the best way to clarify exactly what is going on is to seek the advice of your healthcare provider. 

The good news is that there are many simple ways that you can try to help your digestion and overall GI health — and a healthy diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods is the first step. As mentioned, if you feel like your symptoms persist or you have noticed a change to your usual digestive habits, it might be best to chat to your healthcare provider. 

Have you found ways to improve your digestive health and maintain a good balance of gut bacteria? Share what worked for you in the comments below!