12:00 pm
Friday, January 27, 2023
There are a range of factors that determine whether or not the gut is healthy, as it relates to the balance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive tract or gut.
Within the digestive tract are trillions of tiny microbes that make up a complex and important internal ecosystem known as the microbiome.
If this system gets out of control by consuming too many fatty foods or not providing it with adequate nutrition, you can almost guarantee that your gut will let you know.
What affects your gut health?
The key to good gut health is to ensure that the diversity of bacteria present is carefully balanced, as there are a range of diet and lifestyle factors that can negatively affect the balance of bacteria in the digestive tract.
These factors include stress levels, lack of sleep, a diet full of processed foods, and taking antibiotics.
If you have an imbalance of your gut bacteria, your intestines are not functioning optimally, and so you may be more susceptible to disease.
Warning signs
Your body is showing signs of an abnormality in your intestines, including:
upset stomach
Frequent discomfort, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn may be signs that your intestines are having trouble digesting and eliminating foods.
Unintentional changes in weight
When your gut is out of balance, your body may have difficulty absorbing nutrients, storing fat, and regulating your blood sugar, leading to unpredictable changes in weight.
Fatigue
An unhealthy gut can lead to insomnia or lack of sleep, which leads to fatigue.
Most of the body’s serotonin (the hormone that affects mood and sleep) is produced in the gut, so when there’s bacteria or inflammation, your sleep may be affected as well.
skin irritation
Some skin conditions, such as acne and eczema, can be the result of problems in the gut.
Food intolerance
In some cases, intolerance to certain foods can be caused by the poor quality of bacteria in the intestines, according to the British newspaper “The Mirror”.
