If you’re feeling unwell and haven’t been able to shake the feeling, it’s time to take a look at your gut health. Gut health is often forgotten in overall health, but it’s one of the most important factors. A healthy gut means a healthy body, so if you’re looking to get back on your feet, start by tending to your gut health. There are many ways to do this, and I’ll outline some of them in this post. So don’t forget about your gut—it’s time to give it the attention it deserves!
Gut health is often overlooked but is a really important aspect of overall wellness. Did you know having a poor gut can cause more than 300 diseases and chronic conditions? These include diabetes, high blood pressure, and many different autoimmune conditions.
Therefore, not having the best gut health will cost a lot more in the long run.
Telltale Signs of Poor Gut Health
No Energy
A lack of (or low) energy is one of the most common symptoms. After all, when your gut isn’t functioning properly, it can interfere with your digestion and overall health. For instance, you may find yourself feeling constantly fatigued or lacking in energy after meals.
Loss of appetite
Subtle signs like a loss of appetite can indicate that something isn’t quite right. While it’s normal to not feel hungry occasionally, a sudden and drastic decrease in appetite or cravings for unhealthy foods is a telltale sign of poor gut health. Being aware of changes in your eating habits can be an important predictor of overall gut health.
Bloating and Indigestion
Do you constantly find yourself blurting out your clothes? Or worse, burping and bloating every five minutes? If so, these telltale signs might be telling you to take a look at your gut health. A few indigestion symptoms, such as cramps, bloating, heartburn, and reflux, could be an indication that something is going on internally.
Diarrhea or Constipation
Two of the most common and significant gut issues people experience are diarrhea or constipation, which can both have a major impact on your gut health if left unchecked. If you find yourself suddenly switching between diarrhea one day and constipation the next, then it’s time to explore what else could be causing gut health issues. Even though some digestive symptoms may seem minor at first, they shouldn’t be overlooked, as poor gut health can lead to more serious medical conditions down the line.
Having Blood Sugar Swings
If you’re frequently finding yourself crashing from highs to lows throughout the day, accompanied by feelings of fatigue or dizziness it may be a sign that your gut needs some attention. Those with poor gut health often feel out of balance due to their bodies not being able to process certain foods properly and as a result, blood sugar levels make drastic shifts.
Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, and Attention Deficit
Poor gut health can be an elusive issue to identify and diagnose, but there are some telltale signs that you shouldn’t ignore. Perhaps the most notable symptom of gut health problems is disruption of your emotional state, such as changes in mood swings, depression, anxiety, and attention deficit. Beyond mood concerns, gut-related issues often manifest as digestive issues such as bloating, cramping, and abdominal pain. However, as gut-related issues originate deep within our bodies and often remain undisclosed, they can develop undetected until conditions worsen and physical symptoms become more pronounced.
Managing the Gut
Taking better care of your gut health will make you more drawn to a healthier lifestyle. It may not be the easiest, but in my practice, we use the 5 R Method.
Remove
If you are having problems like bloating, indigestion, or inflammation, it might be because of the foods you are eating. Some foods that might be causing these problems are gluten, dairy, soy, and corn. If this is the case, you should try to avoid those foods.
You could also do an elimination diet or get a food sensitivity test to find out more about your gut health.
Replace
As we grow older, our ability to digest and break down food slows. To keep up with the digestion rate, you’ll need a reliable way to replace the digestive enzymes and stomach acid that have been lost. It’s vital to replace those things.
Repair
You may have a gut lining that is broken in some places. This can cause you to absorb things you should not be absorbing, like bacteria, viruses, and food protein. Some of these things may be healthy, but they go into your bloodstream and cause an inflammatory response.
Rebalance
Rebalance your body to reduce stress and get better sleep. It might sound like a lot of work, but it could pay off in the long run. Plus, you might find that you enjoy the process.
Repopulate
This means we need to repopulate your good bacteria. Most people know there are good bacteria and bad bacteria, and that there is a ratio. We want the ratio to be right.
Let’s help the Gut
There are many tests to find out more about your gut bacteria. There are stool tests that can tell you about your microbiome.
There are tests that can tell you about your gut health. The GI Eval, or Gut Zoomer, from Vibrant will give you a good description of how you’re digesting and absorbing food and if you’re deficient in anything. It will also tell you about your microbiome composition.
With that being said, and in the Replace section, a good probiotic plus a prebiotic supplement is also an important consideration. We use the 5 R Method to help people achieve optimal gut health.This way, they are more likely to respond well to good nutrition, supplements, and exercise.
Gut health is often a forgotten component of overall health, but it’s extremely important. Poor gut health has been linked to a variety of diseases and conditions, so it’s crucial that we take steps to manage our gut. Fortunately, there are many things we can do to help the gut. If you want to learn more about how you can improve your gut health, please schedule a discovery call with us. We would be happy to discuss this topic further with you and answer any questions you may have. Thank you for reading!
Have you been feeling poorly for a long time and are looking to finally get relief from your symptoms? We’d be happy to schedule a discovery call with you. During this call, we can discuss your symptoms in more detail and come up with a plan tailored specifically for you.
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DISCLAIMER: The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional