7 Signs Your Gut May Be Asking for More Attention

There’s an old adage that says to “trust your gut.” Although this usually translates to trusting your instincts and intuition, the saying is also applicable to your physical well-being. Your gut or your gastrointestinal tract has everything to do with how food comes into your body and back out of it. It plays a major role in helping your body power through whatever hurdles it may come across.

We at Bright Side believe that health is wealth. Therefore, we want to share these telltale signs of an unwell gut so that you can take quick action to improve your health.

1. Hair loss is more noticeable than before.

Although it’s normal for our hair to fall out on a daily basis, overly large amounts of falling hair and the appearance of bald spots can be quite alarming. Hair loss is often associated with stress; but medical experts have found that beyond stress, our gut may also be responsible for making our hair thin and fall out. This is because our gut is in charge of producing vitamin B7 or biotin, which prevents hair loss and skin disease.

2. Your weight is fluctuating.

If you’re one of those people who has struggled with weight and has tried multiple diets and fitness regimens with no results, you might need to re-examine your body. One of the causes of weight gain and weight loss that people don’t really talk about is attributed to your gut health. A gut that is not functioning properly is a gut that cannot absorb the nutrients that the body needs, which can result in nutrition deficiencies and the inability to regulate blood sugar and fat. Not only can poor gut health make you gain weight, but it can also do the reverse.

3. You’re suddenly intolerant of certain foods.

The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food and removing toxins from the things we eat. When our gut is sick, the body cannot properly eliminate food toxins, causing us to react to specific foods and gain food intolerances. Symptoms of food intolerance come in the form of nausea, stomach pains, stomach gas, cramps, and diarrhea among others.

4. You’re having constant food cravings.

If you’re not having any adverse food reactions, you might be experiencing the opposite, always wanting specific foods. Similar to food intolerance, our gut is not able to process the food we eat and may result in an imbalance. This imbalance can cause increased cravings in the unhealthy food group of sugars and fats, which can be even more detrimental to your gut health.

5. You cannot sleep well.

In order for us to sleep well, we need a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone,” is a chemical that helps our bodies regulate our mood and sleeping patterns. Without a properly functioning gut, we may have trouble falling asleep, which can lead to insomnia and an eventual worn-out immune system, making it easier for us to get sick.

6. You’re developing skin problems.

Our gut is the first line of defense when it comes to fighting diseases in our bodies. Stomach and acid enzymes not only break down our food but they clean and sterilize it to prevent infections from manifesting into sickness. When your gut is not functioning the way it should, it’s unable to correctly process the food you eat, which can result in skin diseases such as eczema and other skin irritations.

7. You take more trips to the bathroom.

Due to the fact that an unhealthy gut is unable to correctly process food, we may find ourselves taking more frequent trips to the bathroom with an upset stomach. Apart from diarrhea, other symptoms such as feeling bloated and gassy or having heartburn and constipation can be triggers that your gut needs to be cleansed.

Are you experiencing one or more of these symptoms? Have you ever stopped to think that the problem could be stemming from your gut?