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A healthy gastrointestinal tract is crucial for overall wellness. The gut is where digestion and absorption of nutrients take place, and it also plays a role in our immune system. When our gut health is compromised, it can lead to a variety of health issues.
In this blog, we will discuss the signs of an unhealthy gut and natural treatments that can improve your GI health.
Signs of an Unhealthy Gut
Recognizing the signs of poor gut health is the first step to addressing the issue. Here are eight symptoms associated with an unhealthy gut:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Food intolerances, food sensitivities, and food allergies
- Skin conditions like acne or eczema
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Chronic fatigue
Natural Treatments for a Healthy Gut
Improving gut health naturally involves a combination of diet modifications, supplements, and lifestyle changes.
Diet Modifications
- Eliminate trigger foods: Identify and remove foods that cause digestive symptoms, such as refined sugars, lactose, and certain types of food.
- Increase dietary fiber: Incorporate more plant-based foods rich in dietary fiber to promote regular bowel movements.
- Add fermented foods: Cultured foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut add beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract.
Supplements
- Probiotic supplements: Introduce healthy bacteria to balance the gut microbiome.
- Digestive enzymes: Assist in breaking down food and improving nutrient absorption.
- Vitamins and minerals: Address any vitamin deficiency that may result from poor nutrient absorption due to digestive issues.
- Peptides: Help heal the gut lining and reduce inflammation.
Lifestyle Changes
A holistic approach to gut health also includes lifestyle changes.
Reduce Stress Levels
Stress has been linked to irritable bowel syndrome and can affect the gut-brain axis, leading to digestive problems. Techniques such as meditation/prayer, exercise, and mindfulness can lower stress levels and improve overall digestive health.
Work on Mental Health
Mental health and gut health are closely connected. Seek support to manage any underlying mental health conditions that may be contributing to your gut issues.
Improve Sleep Hygiene
Poor sleep can affect the balance of bacteria in the gut. Aim for consistent, quality sleep to support a healthy microbiome.
Address Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal imbalances can disrupt the gastrointestinal tract, contributing to digestive issues. Regular check-ups and personalized treatment plans can help manage these imbalances.
Improve Your Gut Health With Pure Body Health
We offer comprehensive treatment options tailored to improve your gut health and overall well-being. Our experienced naturopathic doctors, Dr. Scott Maymon, ND, MPH, and Dr. Sarah Stone, ND, focus on personalized care plans that address the root causes of your digestive issues. Here are some of the key services we provide:
- Dietary changes: Our experts will work with you to identify foods that support gut health, including advice on which foods to eliminate and what to incorporate more of in your diet.
- Gut health testing: We offer advanced testing to identify infection, inflammation, leaky gut, maldigestion, and dysbiosis – imbalances in your gut microbiome. We can even look at food sensitivities and food allergies as well as other underlying issues.
- Supplement guidance: Tailored recommendations for high-quality supplements that include probiotics, digestive enzymes, and other critical vitamins and minerals.
- Hormone optimization: We develop personalized treatment plans to manage and correct hormonal imbalances affecting your gut health.
- Peptide therapy: We offer peptide treatments to address digestive inflammation and promote gut healing.
If you are searching for a ‘gut health specialist near me,’ a naturopathic doctor in Chandler, AZ or a naturopathic doctor in Gilbert, AZ we can help. Our office is located just 25 minutes away from Chandler and Gilbert, AZ. Call (480) 427-0442 to book an appointment or complete the online inquiry form.
FAQs About Gut Health
You may experience symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, digestive issues, food intolerances and allergies, skin conditions, unexplained weight loss or gain, and chronic fatigue. However symptoms can vary for each individual, so it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Poor gut health has been linked to a variety of conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune disorders, mental health issues, skin conditions, weight gain, food cravings and more.
Highly processed foods, artificial sweeteners, dyes, fried and greasy foods, alcohol, and foods high in refined sugars are all considered to be detrimental to gut health.
If you experience chronic bad breath, it could be a sign of an imbalance in your gut microbiome. This can lead to an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria that produce foul-smelling gases. If you have seen a dentist and ruled out any oral health issues, it may be worth consulting with a gut health specialist to address the root cause of your bad breath.