A healthy gut can be a game changer for your overall health. Certain things, which we may pass off as normal or just “things we have to deal with,” can be the result of an unhealthy gut. It’s important to listen to your body because it may be telling you that it needs some needed TLC.
The digestive tract starts at your esophagus and runs all the way down to where the sun doesn’t shine. Your digestive system is much more than a group of organs and muscles that process and excrete the food you eat. In fact, people refer to the digestive system as a second brain. Anyone who has ever been really hungry can attest to the fact that powerful moods can come on strong, completely changing one’s personality.
It’s all about giving your body the essential foods that it needs. This helps establish a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in your digestive system. This is why you tend to feel ill after eating a hearty meal of fried, oily food. Eating healthy foods helps nourish good bacteria, which help your body use food more efficiently
Pay attention to your body because it may be telling you that your gut is unhealthy.
#1: You Frequently Get Sick
You may want to blame your coworkers, unsanitary gym equipment, or even your family members for getting you sick. Believe it or not, having an unhealthy gut can weaken your immune system. When your gut is healthy, it can produce mucus that helps trap viruses or bacteria and removes them from the body.
#2: You Can’t Lose Weight Easily
If you have been hitting the gym every single day and still haven’t dropped more than a pound or two, you may have an unhealthy gut. Healthy digestion plays a huge role in your weight loss journey. People who are overweight have a different balance of gut bacteria than those who are at a healthy weight. You can improve your digestive system by eating probiotic foods like fermented vegetables, kimchi, or kombucha.
#3: You Have Acid Reflux
If you have frequent acid reflux, it is most likely due to an unhealthy gut. If there is a large build up of unhealthy bacteria in the GI tract, you may experience frequent acid reflux, bloating, or burping. Try these natural remedies to help acid reflux and improve your gut.
#4: Lack of Energy
If you are in a constant state of lethargy or can’t muster up the energy to even walk around the block, your gut may need some love. An imbalance of gut bacteria can inhibit you from absorbing nutrients from the foods you eat, which ultimately makes you tired. Toxins can also penetrate your intestinal walls in an unhealthy gut, which can lower energy levels.
#5: You Are Stressed
Much like your brain, your intestines are filled with nerves. These nerves actually communicate with your brain, releasing feel-good hormones. If you have an unhealthy gut, it may send messages to your brain saying, “I need some help,” which can cause you to feel stressed, anxious, or mentally imbalanced.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
