Your gut health plays an important role in your overall well-being, influencing everything from digestion to immune function and even mood. If you’re experiencing gut problems, not only is it uncomfortable, it can get worse over time and escalate into bigger issues later on. It’s important to take proactive steps to address them now.
What Do Gut Problems Look Like?
Gut problems can show up in the gut. But sometimes they can show up in other parts of your body as:
🌱 Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea or IBS
🌱 Mood imbalances such as depression or anxiety
🌱 Food sensitivities or intolerances
🌱 Skin blemishes such as acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis or chronic hives (urticaria)
🌱 Hormonal imbalances such as PMS, PCOS or irregular periods
🌱 Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
🌱 Diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid issues (Hashimoto’s disease, Graves disease), multiple sclerosis, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome or celiac disease
Your gut is often referred to as your “second brain” because of its intricate connection to your central nervous system. It’s responsible for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, regulating metabolism, and influencing your mood and behavior. When your gut is out of balance, it can affect many aspects of your physical and mental health.
How Does This All Work?
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiota. When there’s an imbalance in this microbiota, known as dysbiosis, it can lead to many different health issues.
Your gut plays a significant role in supporting your immune system. Approximately 70% of your body’s immune cells live in your gut. When your gut health is compromised, it can weaken your immune defenses and increase your susceptibility to infections, inflammation, and autoimmune conditions.
Research shows that gut problems are a precursor to the development of chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders. Addressing gut health can help prevent and treat these conditions.
What Can You Do?
Dietary Changes: Focus on consuming a balanced diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Incorporating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi can also promote a healthy gut microbiota. Limiting intake of processed foods, added sugars, and artificial additives is crucial for gut health.
Lifestyle Modifications: Manage stress through relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga. Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight are also essential for supporting gut health and overall well-being.
Seeking Professional Guidance: If you’re experiencing persistent gut problems, reach out for support from a healthcare professional trained in managing gut issues AND stress. This is not something that a typical healthcare professional learns in school, so it is likely that your doctor does not know what to do besides give you medicine or antibiotics that will probably make things worse, despite their best intentions. Someone that is trained in gut issues and stress management can conduct a thorough evaluation, identify potential underlying issues, and provide personalized recommendations and treatment options.
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