Signs Your Gut Health Needs Support

Your gut is about so much more than just digesting food. And when things are unbalanced in there, your body has subtle ways of letting you know. Here are some signs your gut health needs support; and some simple ways to do just that!

Little Red Flags 

Have you ever felt like something’s off, but you can’t put your finger on it? Like your energy is dragging, your skin isn’t cooperating, or no matter what you do, you can’t seem to focus? It’s frustrating, especially when you’re doing all the “right” things to feel your best. Believe it or not, these issues might link back to your gut!

I’ve been doing a ton of research for my gut health book, and it’s amazing, even to me, that practically everything is being linked back to the gut. Your gut health influences everything– from how energized you feel to how quickly you bounce back after a tough workout or just a long day at work! And when your gut isn’t working at its best, it can show up in ways you might not expect.

For example, low energy levels are a common sign your gut needs attention. If you feel like you’re running on empty, even after a full night’s sleep, your body might not be absorbing nutrients properly. Another sign is skin issues like breakouts or dullness because your gut and skin are deeply connected. And let’s not forget about mood swings! Your gut produces about 90% of your serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone. When your digestion is off, it can take a heavy toll on your mood, making it harder to feel calm, focused, and positive.

The good news is that small changes can make a big difference.

Simple Ways to Support Your Gut

Just a few small tweaks in how and what you eat can create noticeable shifts in how you feel every single day by keeping your gut happy: 

• Eat more whole, real foods. Your gut thrives on fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Processed foods can throw things out of whack.
• Slow down when you eat. Chewing your food thoroughly helps your body break it down and absorb nutrients more effectively.  
• Add gut-friendly foods. Naturally fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and fermented vegetables are well-known for their gut-supportive benefits. 

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, don’t ignore them. Supporting your gut is one of the most effective ways to improve how you feel from the inside out.

REFERENCES:

• https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220810/How-ultraprocessed-foods-affect-gut-microbiome-and-health.aspx
• https://genomemedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13073-021-00921-y
• https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2021/07/fermented-food-diet-increases-microbiome-diversity-lowers-inflammation