Doctor reveals: These are 6 surprising warning signs your gut is sending you
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- An expert highlights that an imbalance in gut bacteria can negatively impact physical and mental health.
- Symptoms of unhealthy gut bacteria include poor sleep, fatigue, brain fog, skin issues, digestive problems, and unexpected weight changes.
- A balanced diet rich in plant-based foods, along with stress reduction and adequate hydration, is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Our bodies constantly signal when something is amiss, and changes in energy, digestion, mood, or physical symptoms are often the first indicators. Dr. Sameer Sanghvi, a general practitioner, warns that certain changes can signal an imbalance in gut bacteria, which significantly affects overall health. "Around 70-80 percent of your immune cells are located in the gut," he explained, adding that gut bacteria also produce essential vitamins like B12. When this bacterial balance is disrupted, both physical and mental well-being can suffer.
If the balance of bacteria in the gut is not as it should be, physical and mental health can be affected.
An unhealthy gut can manifest in various ways, including poor sleep leading to fatigue and brain fog. Skin conditions such as acne and eczema, along with digestive issues like bloating and constipation, are also potential signs of an imbalance. Furthermore, when the gut is compromised, the body may struggle to absorb vital nutrients, store fat effectively, and regulate blood sugar, potentially causing unexpected weight fluctuations. Dr. Sanghvi also noted that new food intolerances and problems with hormone levels or fertility could be symptoms.
Around 70-80 percent of your immune cells are located in the gut. Moreover, the bacteria in your gut are also responsible for producing necessary vitamins like vitamin B12.
Diet plays a pivotal role in improving gut health. The goal is to encourage beneficial bacteria while reducing harmful ones. Ultra-processed foods can negatively impact the gut, making a diverse, plant-based diet essential. Dr. Sanghvi advises eating a "rainbow" of foods, incorporating colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes like beans and lentils.
Diet plays a big role when it comes to improving gut health. The goal is to help introduce good bacteria into the gut while reducing the number of bad bacteria.
Beyond diet, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome requires attention to lifestyle factors. Reducing stress levels and ensuring quality sleep are equally important. Adequate hydration also contributes significantly to overall gut health. By recognizing these warning signs and adopting a holistic approach to diet and lifestyle, individuals can take proactive steps to support their gut health and prevent more serious health issues.
Reducing stress levels and getting quality sleep are equally important for maintaining a healthy microbiome. The same applies to sufficient hydration.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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