6 Signs That Your Gut Microbiome Is Imbalanced & What To Do

March 13, 2024

Our gut microbiome comprises millions of bacteria, both good and bad, affecting our gut health. Hence, the key to a healthy gut is maintaining a balanced gut microbiome. An imbalanced gut microbiome could lead to various consequences.

In this article, we will explore the six signs that indicate that your gut microbiome is imbalanced and what you can do about it.

1. Mood changes

Studies have shown that our gut has a significant influence over our body’s functions, and it is often referred to as the second brain. This gut-brain connection affects our emotional state, mood swings, depression, and anxiety. The presence of beneficial bacteria in our gut supports the regulation and production of vital mood-enhancing chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine.

This connection goes both ways. For example, the very thought of having our favourite food can trigger the production of our stomach’s juices even before consuming them. Similarly, a troubled intestine can send signals to our brain, causing stress, depression, or anxiety.

2. Food sensitivity

Many mistake food sensitivities for food intolerances and food allergies. They are three distinctly different conditions. Just because a specific food, such as wheat or dairy, does not sit right with your stomach does not mean you have a food allergy or even an intolerance. However, the reason that a particular food leads to gut distress is due to an imbalanced gut microbiome; your gut might be lacking sufficient beneficial bacteria to break down the food effectively.

For example, in celiac disease, certain bacteria in our gut help break down gluten products, either increasing or decreasing their toxicity.

3. Irritating skin conditions

As mentioned earlier, our gut has a significant influence over our body, and that includes even our skin. Conditions such as acne and eczema have been found to be linked to gut inflammation caused by an imbalanced gut microbiome, poor diet, and food allergies.

A well-balanced gut microbiome helps to break down what we eat, releasing vitamins and energy to keep our skin healthy. A chronic imbalanced mix of bacteria can cause leaky gut syndrome to develop, weakening our intestinal wall, which has been linked to eczema and asthma.

4. Constant fatigue

Apart from the lack of proper rest, an imbalanced gut microbiome can be associated with constant fatigue even before starting your day. That is why it is so important to kickstart our day with breakfast, particularly a gut-beneficial one.

A lack of diversity in our gut microbiome has been found to be linked directly with sleep disorders, such as restless sleep and insomnia, as well as chronic fatigue and lack of energy. Serotonin is a hormone that affects our mood and sleep and is produced in our gut. Furthermore, our gut microbiome plays a vital role in how our immune system responds, with imbalances leading to chronic inflammation, which is an underlying cause of chronic fatigue.

5. Sudden changes in weight

Gaining or losing weight without any exercise or diet habits indicates a disorder in your gut. A gut that is not balanced lacks the proper function to absorb nutrients, regulate blood sugar, signal that you are full, and store fat, causing metabolic conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

6. Digestive discomfort

An imbalanced gut microbiome can lead to the development of heartburn, stomach cramps, flatulence, constipation, and GERD symptoms. In addition, an imbalanced gut microbiome can cause dysbiosis to develop. When your gut becomes imbalanced and dysbiosis occurs, you are more susceptible to developing nervous system disorders, cancer, and IBD symptoms.

What can you do about an imbalanced gut microbiome?

Firstly, change your diet. Diet plays a vital role in impacting your gut microbiome and health. Reducing your intake of foods that are rich in fat and sugar and are processed and swapping them for foods rich in fibre and lean protein is recommended. Secondly, get more sleep. Your body goes into a reset mode during your sleep, allowing it to restore itself. A lack of sleep means your body is working harder and longer than it should, affecting your gut system.

Thirdly, avoid consuming medications unnecessarily. Certain medications, such as antibiotics, can eliminate both good and bad bacteria. Hence, consuming them only when your doctor recommends is the way to go. Additionally, avoid other medications, such as hormone replacers, steroids, birth control, antacids, and NSAIDs, unless prescribed.

Fourthly, supplement your body with prebiotics and probiotics. Prebiotics can be added to your daily routine by consuming foods such as leafy greens, onions, garlic, and bananas. Probiotics can be found in fermented foods, such as yoghurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha. Also, stay hydrated and drink lots of plain water. Lastly, reduce your stress by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising, learning to rest, and laughing more often.

Conclusion

Keeping our gut balanced is essential to ensuring overall good health. While the abovementioned signs are indicative of an imbalanced gut, they are not the final determining factors. Seeking professional medical advice and going for regular colonoscopies and endoscopies are the best ways to determine our gut health.

With that being said, GUTCARE is a digestive health specialist that specialises in everything gut-related. So, head on down to see us to get your gut health sorted.