Something Up With Your Gut? (6 Signs)

"Listen to your gut."

"What's your gut telling you?"

Ever heard those phrases before? Of course you have. And for good reason. Because your gut is responsible for way more than you think.

Yeah, it digests food. (Which is super important.) But it also influences the way you think way more than we thought before. Turns out, there's a true connection between your gut and mind. 

That "gut feeling" is real. Which is why you need to know the signs of an unhealthy gut.

And lucky for you I got the list right here…

Check out these 6 signs that something me be up with your gut:

Gas, Bloating and Other Stomach Issues

When you experience side effects like gas and bloating after eating certain foods, this may be an indication that the bacteria in your gut isn't breaking down those foods the way it should.

Unintentional Weight Fluctuations

Some gut bacteria actually have an impact on how many calories you can extract from your food, and microbial richness has been shown in some studies to be linked to adult BMI and metabolism. In other words, the gut microbiome can play a role in weight gain and weight loss. So, if you're eating normally but seem to be slowly gaining—or losing — weight, poor gut health and lack of diversity in your microbiome may be to blame.

Skin Issues

Does your skin break out when you eat certain foods? That may be due to the bacteria in your gut. According to one 2021 study, some foods promote an imbalance of gut bacteria that can contribute to a variety of skin issues, including acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and dandruff.

Moodiness, Irritability and Trouble With Concentration

GI issues and the above are usually connected. When our brain is in overdrive from anxiety or depression, the nerves that stimulate the brain are constantly firing. The same thing happens in the GI tract. So psychological symptoms worsen the GI symptoms, and the GI symptoms worsen the psychological symptoms. Another cycle begins.

Fatigue or Insomnia
Struggling to sleep, or sleeping too much? This is another area where your gut health may be affecting your life. Your gut produces serotonin, which impacts mood and sleep. So if your gut is off, then so are some hormones in your body.

Plus, the link between sleep and gut health is a two-way street. Lack of sleep can lead to digestive problems, and this can start — yet again — another vicious cycle.

Sugar Cravings

If you feed the microbes in your gut sugar. Guess what they want more of? Sugar. This starts a cycle that leads to an imbalance in your gut with the sugar-loving, pro-inflammatory bacteria taking over, which may lead to other health issues as well.

Now that you know don'ts, be on the lookout for these signs. And be sure to take care of your gut so it can take care of you.