Your gut is linked to your overall health. Your gut can cause and produce effects on your body to things you didn’t even know were related. What we put in our bodies directly affects how we will feel. You may not necessarily equate what you are feeling to your gut directly as the symptoms do not align with typical gut problems. Many signs can demonstrate to you that there might be a problem in your gut. Always consult with a doctor if you are experiencing gut issues! I am sharing some things I have noticed in my health and through some research. In no way is this medical advice!

SIGNS YOUR GUT MAY BE IN TROUBLE

Digestion issues: gas, bloating, constipation

Mental issues: depression, anxiety, brain fog

Vitamin and mineral deficiency: D, K, magnesium, B12, and B7

Overuse of antibiotics

Chronic and unmanaged stress

Skin problems: acne, eczema

Autoimmune diseases: arthritis, IBS

GUT HEALTH FOODS

Bone Broth: helps repair cell walls, contains collagen which is beneficial for skin and joints. Boosts immune system. Rich in nutrients. Drinking bone broth or using it as a soup base is a great way to integrate it into your diet.

Coconut Oil: easy to digest, helps boost energy levels, and burn fat. Absorbs fat-soluble vitamins. Prevent stomach ulcers. Incorporate through switching your cooking oil.

Fermented foods: probiotics, improved digestion, provides good bacteria, and can help some people lose weight. Add fermented foods to lunch as toppings or sides.

Kombucha: probiotic that fights candida, heals your gut, and can improve your mental clarity. Drink kombucha once a day with or without a meal! There are many different flavours on the market.

Kefir: improve digestion and has calcium. You can put kefir in smoothies, salads, or replace it for yogurt.

Ginger: fights bad bacteria, boosts your immune system, eases nausea and inflammation. Eat it fresh on top of foods or make a tea.

Turmeric: superfood that has an incredible anti-inflammatory effect and is an antioxidant. Turmeric is great to season food, add to smoothies, or even better in a tea.

Omega 3 foods: good bacteria in your gut, good for your brain, eyes, and weight loss. Wild-caught salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds.

Sweet Potato’s: help with fibre and antioxidant intake. Fermentable starches that restore gut flora. High in vitamins.

KEY GUT TERMS

Probiotics: good bacteria for your gut they help heal your digestive system. Yogurt, kefir, pickles, kombucha. Or it can be bought as a supplement.

Collagen: It helps with connective tissues in your body. Helps with intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome increasing your gut wall strength. Found in animal skins, bone broth, or in supplement form.

Candida: is a fungi that lives in the body mostly in the intestines. Candida can begin to grow and spread. When it gets out of hand you can experience gut problems.

Gut Flora: Is the term to describe your gut and the functions that it plays in maintaining and fighting off poor gut health. Poor gut flora equals to poor gut health.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins: vitamins that can dissolve in fats and oils. They can be stored in fatty tissue until needed. Vitamins A, D, E and K

Antioxidant: Something that provides oxidation. Protects from free radicals which can cause disease which is produced when food is broken down. Onions, Leeks, berries, spinach.

KEY WAYS TO KEEP A CLEAN AND HEALTHY GUT

Take probiotics

Drink lots of water

Exercise

Reduce your stress levels

Avoid toxins (sugar, grains, dairy, and oils)

I hope this gives you a little more information on how to keep one of the most important parts of the body feeling clean and healthy. It is important to recognize the signs of poor gut health and begin to take action as soon as you can to make yourself feel better!