The digestive system contains healthy bacteria, which promote digestive function, improving your overall well-being. A little imbalance in the levels or functioning of these bacteria can result in poor gut health. An unhealthy gut can mark a potential decline in your overall healthy well-being. However, eating certain foods and opting for a healthy lifestyle can help you deal with this health condition.
Highlights
Bad gut health results in stomach upset, unexpected weight loss, sleep issues, skin problems, and mood swings.
Poor gastrointestinal health can be improved by eating fiber-rich meals, prebiotics, and probiotics. Herbal teas can also be helpful.
Exercising regularly can potentially promote gut health.
What are the signs or symptoms of an unhealthy gut?
If you notice the following signs or symptoms, then this means that you have poor gut health and you have to consult a gastro doctor.
Persistent stomach upset
Stomach upset accompanied by the signs such as - gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or heartburn may indicate poor gut health. These symptoms also show that food digestion is slowed down, making it difficult for your stomach to eliminate waste.
Unexpected weight changes
If you're experiencing unexpected weight gain or loss, this can be an indication of your poor gut health. This is because poor gut health may affect your bodyÕs natural ability to absorb nutrients. This adversely impacts your blood sugar levels and fat storage, leading to unexpected weight gain or loss.
Weight loss can be the exclusive result of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This bacteria can potentially give rise to malabsorption. Likewise, obesity may be the sole outcome of increased insulin in your bloodstream.
Poor sleep pattern results in prolonged fatigue
One 2020 research study indicates that abnormal levels of bacteria in your gut can potentially affect healthy sleep patterns. This results in fragmented sleep or a shorter duration of sleep. Furth Less sleep can result in chronic fatigue.
Skin problems increase
The imbalance in the levels of healthy gut bacteria or gut microbiome is known as dysbiosis. It adversely impacts the healthy immune function. Bad immune health reduces that resulting in poor skin health and conditions such as acne or psoriasis.
Mood swings affecting productivity
Research studies claim that communication between the gut and brain is carried out through the gut-brain axis. Poor gut health leads to the signs and symptoms of mood swings. So, you may experience depression, anxiety, or irritability, affecting your overall productivity.
Consult a gastroenterologist if you experience severe mood swings. The health professional will help you improve gut health, reducing the signs of mood swings.
Nutrient Deficiencies weakens immune function
When your digestive system is not functioning optimally, the levels of healthy nutrients in your body drop. This leads to nutrient deficiency. The deficient nutrients may include - vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants is a potential cause of a weak immune system. Poor immune health increases the chances of developing a number of health issues.
Autoimmune diseases decrease normal body functioning
Due to poor gut health, you are likely to have the symptoms of autoimmune health conditions. These health conditions can be rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, or addison's disease.
Hypersensitivity to specific kinds of foods increases
Bad gut health may make you hypersensitive to certain foods. By eating some foods, you may experience digestive distress, discomfort, or bloating. The symptoms of food allergies such as - oral dryness, itchy eyes, swelling, inflammation, breathing issue, or difficulty in swelling increase.
Which foods are beneficial for improving poor gut health?
Eating a healthy, balanced, and nutrient-rich diet can help you reduce the symptoms of poor gut health. Not only this, but avoiding fried, processed, and unhealthy foods are also necessary. The following healthy edibles are best known for improving gut health:
Are fiber-rich foods good for the stomach?
Certain studies on nutrition claim that edibles that contain abundant fibers promote a healthy gut microbiome. Such foods include - whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. These edibles provide both soluble and insoluble fibers, which are essential for maintaining gastrointestinal health.
Does a fermented food diet promote a healthy gut?
The nutritional content analysis claims that fermented foods contain probiotics. Probiotics provide optimum conditions and environment for the gut microbiome to help promote proper gut functioning. Such edibles include - yogurt, kefir, cheese, kimchi, or miso.
Are probiotics helpful for gut health?
Prebiotics are those edible fibers that provide a healthy environment to gut bacteria for their healthy survival and working. These edibles include - vegetables like onion, garlic, leeks, and asparagus. Other than vegetables, fruits including - bananas and apples are also claimed to be prebiotics. Oats, chia seeds, and flaxseeds are also claimed to be excellent sources of prebiotics, regulating gut health.
Which home remedies can boost your gut health?
Few home remedies can also help promote gastrointestinal health, reducing the frequent signs of poor gut health. These home remedies can be:
Drink bone broth
Bone broth is simply made by boiling animal bones and connective tissue with added spice in water. It is rich in nutrients and collagen, which help maintain an optimum environment for gut bacteria. The bone broth also helps maintain a healthy gut lining.
The gut health of some people might become worse after drinking bone broth due to its high lipid content value.
Regular exercise
Regular exercise can help stimulate gastrointestinal muscles. This promotes healthy bowel movement, which decreases the chances of constipation. Exercising also helps reduce severe stress symptoms, which in turn reduces your gut inflammation. Exercises that can boost your gut health include - walking, running, jumping, cardio, pushups, and burpee.
Conclusion
The signs and symptoms of an unhealthy gut can be reduced with the help of healthy dietary intake. Eating nutrient-rich food and opting for healthy habits such as - regular exercise promote healthy gut functioning.
Moreover, consulting a gastroenterologist is the best option to deal with poor gut health symptoms, as the healthcare specialist will recommend a healthy diet plan and home remedies per the severity of your health condition.