Gut Inflammation: what are some of the symptoms
Dubbed the second brain, not by chance, the gut is widely studied and is very complex to understand. In our gut microbiota, or gut flora, as it is most commonly known, live more than 200 types of bacteria, fungi and viruses.
It is important, then, that we pay attention to what is happening in there and spot symptoms of what may potentially be gut inflammation not only to prevent more serious issues, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, diabetes, or arthritis, but also to be in a better mood and have more energy. In fact, among the many side effects, an unbalanced gut microbiota affects energy levels and mood as some of the nutrients that make it past your stomach acids travel also to the brain making us feel tired and cranky.
What are the red flags you should look for that may indicate you have gut inflammation? The symptoms may vary and there is no straight answer, but chronic constipation, bloating, nausea, fatigue, acne may be some of the signs. It always better to do a blood test to check for some markers like blood sugar levels as that could be an indicator of something being off balance.
What might cause the gut to go off balance?
Consuming antibiotics for a prolonged period of time, as well as eating too many processed foods and sugars can all contribute to inflammation.
If you believe you may be sensitive to some foods you are currently eating you can do an elimination test. By eliminating for at least three weeks and then reintroducing some foods back into your diet you may find out what is not working for you. The most common triggers are usually soy, dairy, gluten, but also citrus and so called nightshade vegetables like tomatoes or eggplants. See if not having any of those may make you feel better.
Stress is also one of the leading causes. You may have noticed that when you are stressed your digestion is kind of off and your stomach seems to be entangled. If you are feeling overwhelmed it may be time to start practicing some mind calming techniques that will help both your brains: meditate, go for walks, take a bath, take some deep breaths.
Lack of sleep can lead to chronic fatigue which in turn causes poor digestion and metabolic disorders. Unexpected weight gain or loss may be a sign of an off balance gut flora due to poor quality sleep.
Make sure your diet includes prebiotics, fiber from carbs that feed the good bacteria living in your stomach lining, like the one from beans, bananas, berries, as well as probiotics, found in fermented foods like kombucha, yogurt, or pickled vegetable, that provide good bacteria to your digestive tract, this will help keep the good bacteria around and prevent bad bacteria from harming your health.
Very important for gut health are dark berries, cherries, grapes - fruits rich in polyphenols (which are also powerful antioxidants)-, also green veggies like broccoli, and spices like turmeric and cinnamon, and olive oil.
Lastly, but not least important, is hydration. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help your gut get rid of harmful bacteria while helping the good ones thrive.
Gut inflammation is not easy to diagnose, but if you listen to your body you can spot the signs and adjust your lifestyle accordingly.
My go-to supplement for gut health is Semaine Health Pre and Probiotics, it contains simple but effective ingredients to regulates digestion and keep a healthy flora.
Try it and let us know what you think!
