One of latest pet projects involves the gut. Or should I say, our digestive system. I’m always ready to learn new things, especially when they have everything and anything to do with staying healthy. And ever since I began exploring the ins and outs of the gut, I’ve found my mind exploding over the incredible power our digestion has over us. Our mood, cravings, energy, hormones, and immunity all are tied to our gut, whose state can make or break how well each are.
If you haven’t yet been caught up, head on over to my you tube channel and check out my Gut Health series. So far, I’ve covered topics like Getting to Know Your Poop and Choosing the Right Kind of Probiotic. (There’s plenty more to come, so please subscribe to my channel to stay in the loop!)
But back to the topic for the day.
With all of this amazing information on the gut, you may be wondering if your digestion is out of whack. These symptoms or complications range from being very mild to extreme. So keep in mind that while you may be experiencing one or a few of them, please don’t be so quick to self-diagnose. Always refer to a licensed health professional if you suspect there’s a very serious issue at hand. This is all just general information!

Signs and Symptoms of Gut Imbalances Include:

Bowel Irregularities
Toilet talk. I know it’s impolite to talk about it in other spaces, but here, it’s really important to take a mature look at this not-so-pleasant topic in order to get a general idea of how well your digestive system is running.
With that out of the way, consider these things. Firstly, are your bowel movements all over the place? Do you go just once a day, or multiple times? Do they happen on a daily basis, or just a handful of times a week?
If you’re either constipated or experiencing diarrhea (heck, do you experience both of them!), that’s a definite sign that something isn’t right. While the occasional (read: occasional) episode is fine, your bowel movements should otherwise be regular, for lack of a better term. For more information on what a healthy poop is, refer back to my video on Getting to Know Your Poop (https://zuzkalight.com/health-fitness/get-to-know-your-poop/) (And no, I’m not actually holding real poop in the thumbnail!)

Bloating, Gas, and Cramps
Is the dreaded bloat coming over you on the daily? How about excess gas or cramps? These three symptoms are responses to an imbalance or problem with the gut. They could be food intolerances, bacterial or yeast infections, or mechanistic problems such as your body not creating enough enzymes or stomach acid to break down food. No matter the source, they all have some involvement with your digestive tract.

Headaches and Irregular Moods
Did you know that our brain is connected to our gut? This is thanks to the Vagus Nerve, otherwise known as the Wandering Nerve, which is a direct line of communication between the brain and the gut. [1]Any disruption between the two or the nerve itself can lead to an assortment of troubles. People are often surprised to learn that their constant migraines are rooted in a gut imbalance. Our moods can take a hit as well. Depression, anxiety, and roller coaster rides of emotional spells can all be traced to a problem with digestion. [2]

Skin Woes
It’s okay to be a little bit vain here. Acne, dry skin or eczema, rashes and hives- these can all take a hit on our confidence. Even though these issues also have to do with hormones and genetics, they can be greatly improved by a strong, healthy digestion. However, if something should go wrong with it, expect to see a worsening in skin health. Breakouts could have to do with our gut struggling to efficiently rid the body of excess hormones (like estrogen), or the fact that the food we’re eating is making it inflamed. [3] Hives may not be symptom so much as they are the body’s way of telling us that something has gone terribly wrong. [4]

Nutrient Deficiencies
Potty talk aside, our digestive system is vital when it comes to breaking down and absorbing nutrients from food. Without it, the rest of our body wouldn’t be able to function without the sustenance it needs to operate. Think of nutrients like codes or instructions for your body; many of its processes require specific sets and amounts of nutrients in order to work properly. So if your gut has taken a hit and you’re no longer digesting as efficiently as you used to, you’re setting yourself up for a world of problems. There’ll be deficiencies, followed by the consequences that come from them.
Some signs to pay attention to include fatigue, muscle cramps, sleep disorders, weakness, and lightheadedness. [5] (PLEASE SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF ANY OF THESE RESONATE WITH YOU!)

Poor Immunity
Are you always on top of the colds and flu of the season? Do you find yourself reaching for some tissue as soon as someone sneezes near you? If you’re constantly getting sick, this could be a sign that both your digestion and your immune system are in need of some help. How so? Most of our immune system actually exists in our gut (nearly 80%!). [6] Pretty neat, huh? Not so neat if you’re always sick though! If your gut is compromised, then so is your immune system. Before reaching for that Vitamin C, consider focusing on supporting your gut health first!

Sources:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5808284/
[2] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/healthy_body/the-brain-gut-connection
[3] https://kresserinstitute.com/gut-hormone-connection-gut-microbes-influence-estrogen-levels/
[4] https://allergylosangeles.com/allergy-blog/altered-gut-microbes-chronic-hives/
[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/malnutrition
[6] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/research/advancements-in-research/fundamentals/in-depth/the-gut-where-bacteria-and-immune-system-meet