The gut, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) system, has an impact on your overall health, including your mood and immunological function.

A healthy gut is composed of beneficial bacteria and immune cells that protect against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Additionally, a healthy stomach communicates with the brain via neurons and hormones, assisting in the maintenance of overall health and well-being.

Here are five symptoms that your gut is out of whack.

Persistent digestive problems—which can include IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), diarrhea, or a change in bowel movements—are one of the most apparent evidence of an unhealthy gut.

“Everyone at some point experiences digestive problems such as abdominal pain, bloating, loose stools, constipation, heartburn, nausea or vomiting,” says Sooraj Tejaswi.

Many studies have found a link between intestinal health and skin health.

“The health of our gut influences the health of our brains and vice versa, so it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that gut health has an impact on other organs such as the skin,” according to Dr. Doug Cook.

“Gut microbiomes influence the pathophysiology of acne, a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells,” adds Dr. Raj Kumar, clinical professor of biochemistry at the University of Houston College of Medicine. “A link between intestinal dysbiosis (a persistent imbalance of gut microbiomes) and atopic dermatitis has been shown.”

Intense sugar cravings could also be a symptom of bad gut bacteria as “bad bacteria feed on foods that convert to sugar, and on a physiological level, communicates to your body that you need more,” according to Traci D. Mitchell.

Were you aware that your gut health affects your sleep?

When your microbiome is less diverse, it might influence serotonin and melatonin production, affecting your sleep, warns Dr. Michael Gelb.

As soon as we consume food, our gut begins to break it down into minute bits. Only the tiniest particles are absorbed into our bloodstream. The remainder is discarded as garbage. To put it another way, not all of the calories in the food we eat enter our bodies and cause us to gain weight. Gut bacteria aid in the digestion of meals. Some bacteria are better at chopping food into the smallest pieces that can be digested, which add calories to our bodies and cause us to gain weight.

“Theoretically, if our guts have more of those kinds of bacteria, it should be harder to lose weight. We are just beginning to understand the role of gut bacteria in obesity, and the science hasn’t led yet to treatments that will make it easier to lose weight. However, I believe that day is coming,” says Anthony L. Komaroff.

Image Credit: Getty

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