8 Signs Of An Unhealthy Gut.

Do you have an unhealthy gut?

Unless you have been living under a rock you have heard about gut health and how it impacts your daily life.  I see people daily that haven’t made the connection to their gut health.

1. Halitosis or bad breath:

This is more than bad breath. This is coming from the gut region not the mouth.  No matter how much you brush your teeth or clean your tongue the smell doesn’t go away.

It is important to identify the cause. Start at the dentist. If the dentist can’t find anything obvious then investigate for these conditions; helicobacter pylori, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), reflux or dysbiosis.

2. Burping, gas or bloating:

Bacteria causes these symptoms during the digestive process. In a healthy person there should be no problem. Test for SIBO if you have smelly gas, excessive gas or pain from bloating.

3. Heartburn or Reflux:

Constant burning in the oesophagus is a sign that your digestion is not functioning smoothly. Stomach acid should be in your stomach not in your oesophagus.

4. Constipation or Diarrhoea:

Having a poo daily is an essential part of being healthy. Yes everyday!  Constipation,  diarrhoea or alternating between the two needs investigation. Look for parasites, dysbiosis or nervous system malfunction as offenders.

5. Skin Issues:

Eczema, acne, rosacea, psoriasis and dermatitis on our skin are indicators that something is not functioning right on the inside. These conditions have links to constipation, bad breath and acid reflux, parasites and SIBO.

6. Getting sick all the time:

80% of our immune system is in our gut. Your bacteria teaches your immune system how to behave. When your gut bacteria is compromised so is your immune system.

7. Depressed or Anxious:

Your emotions are disturbed if your gut is compromised. 90% of our Serotonin is made in our gut and it controls our mood, anxiety and happiness.

8. Stress:

Raised cortisol levels put our bodies into ‘fight or flight’ rather than ‘rest and digest’.  This damages bacteria and prevents our body from carrying out its normal functions. Manage stress daily using meditation, yoga, breath work and exercise.

If you have signs of an unhealthy gut don’t wait for it to get better, investigate and find the root cause.