If you’ve spent any time looking into health or wellness, you’ve probably heard of gut health. The term “gut health” generally refers to the functionality and microbial balance of your gastrointestinal tract. It’s not the latest fad or way to diet, and it certainly isn’t just popping a random probiotic that you saw on YouTube and calling it done. Gut health is THE place to start when the body isn’t functioning well because your gut affects so many systems in the body.

A foundational element of good health is your immune system and over 80% of your immune system is in your gut. This means that a poorly functioning gut = a poorly functioning immune system. Sick often? Check your gut.  

Gut bacteria also produce hundreds of neurochemicals (hundreds!) that the brain uses to regulate mental processes such as learning, memory and mood. One of these is serotonin, about 95% of which is manufactured in the gut. Serotonin as well as dopamine are often thought of as the “happy hormones” as they both play a huge role in positive mood. Depressed? Foggy brain? Anxious? Check your gut. 

In addition, your gut is where waste and toxins are eliminated. We all know that waste is eliminated, we all poop. But did you know a major detox pathway is steered by the makeup of the bacteria in your gut? Yup. When your gut produces too much beta-glucuronidase, it breaks the bonds between the compounds that work to remove toxins from the body, so those toxins are left to just hang out in your body… toxifying things.  

Poor gut health means your neurotransmitters, your immune system, and your detox pathways are not operating optimally, and it can be more difficult to stay healthy. It’s no wonder symptoms of poor gut health can materialize anywhere in the body. 

What does poor gut health feel like? Here are a few common symptoms… do any of these sound familiar?

Digestive Symptoms

Since gut health ultimately starts in your intestines, digestive complaints are common in those with poor gut health. Digestive-related symptoms in a gut that needs some work can include:

●      Diarrhea

●      Constipation

●      Heartburn

●      Abdominal pain

●      Bloating 

●      IBS/IBD

Occasional digestive issues are normal, but if you experience frequent or chronic symptoms, it’s time to find someone to help you fix them.   (Hi… we can help!).

Autoimmune Diseases

We discussed a bit about how our gut health plays a huge role in our body’s immune system. A crappy gut can lead to being sick more often and also the development of autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes… all linked to poor gut health.

Mood and Sleep Issues

When your hormones are impacted by poor gut health, it can be difficult to keep a consistently positive mood and get high-quality sleep. People with poor gut health can experience a variety of mood and sleep-related symptoms, including: 

●      Brain fog

●      Fatigue

●      Sluggishness

●      Depression

●      Panic attacks

●      Anxiety

●      Trouble falling asleep

●      Trouble staying asleep

These issues can also be caused by other factors or a combination of other factors and poor gut health, so it’s important to consult a trusted health professional for an accurate analysis of your situation. Consulting a gut health specialist may also offer an in-depth look at the status of your gut health. Let’s test that shit and figure it out!

Other Symptoms

Since problems in your gut can impact almost any part of the body, there are various additional signs of poor gut health, including:

●      Acne

●      Eczema

●      Rashes

●      Psoriasis

●      Diabetes

●      Difficulty losing weight

●      Weight gain

●      Sugar cravings

●      Food intolerances

Even if you are a clean eater, that doesn’t necessarily translate to a clean gut, and you may still experience some of these symptoms. Even a single course of antibiotics can alter your gut to the point of needing some assistance. If you’ve never had these symptoms before, it can be a particularly strong signal of poor gut health. Even having a “family history of poor gut health” could just be that all y’all have the same bad gut bug situation going on. Yup, get this… some pathogens are transmittable to your family and friends, and so you can keep passing them back and forth. Here ya go, Grandma, here’s some harmful bacteria!

Trust EverVital Nutrition to Get Your Gut Health Back on Track

While none of the symptoms of poor gut health are super fun to deal with, the good news is that with some detailed gut testing and a proper diet plan, you can get your gut health back on track and keep these symptoms at bay. I mean, no one wants to make repeated unexpected trips to the bathroom, especially in a nasty public restroom, right?

EverVital Nutrition helps people discover the imbalances affecting their gut and teaches them how to transform their health with a customized plan. A range of tools, including GI-MAP gut health testing and food intolerance testing, pinpoint imbalances to target exactly what needs to be addressed.

Need help putting together a gut-healthy diet plan? We can help you create a personalized routine to target your exact gut health issues and get you back on the road to feeling spectacular every damn day. Contact EverVital Nutrition today!