Today I’m addressing a topic that is near and dear to my heart, gut health.
Your gut is the key to wellness. It’s home to trillions of bacteria, beneficial fungi, and other microorganism that work together to help keep you healthy.
One of my mentors, Liz Lipski, is a highly respected authority on digestion and the author of Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion. She refers to them as our pets and frequently says, “If you take care of your pets they’ll take care of you.”
Your gut is frequently referred to as your “second brain” because of how important it is when it comes to your overall health and wellbeing.
So you may be wondering what the signs are that indicate you have a health gut. I’ve listed them below.
1. Good digestion
One of the most important parts of gut health is digestion. You need to be able to consume a variety of healthy foods while not experiencing symptoms such as bloating, heartburn, or gas. If you regularly experience digestive issues after you eat it may be an indicator that you have some form of dysbiosis.
2. Bowel health
Everybody poops. It’s normal and we’re meant to do this on a daily basis. Ideally you should be having 1-2 bowel movements per day that are well-formed and pass easily. If you are regularly constipated, have diarrhea, have poorly shaped stools, or other irregularities that could mean your gut is not functioning as well as possible.
3. Immune health
Close to 70% of your immune system is actually located in your gut. This means if you have a healthy gut chances are high that your immune system is strong. Otherwise decreased gut health may indicate less of an ability to ward off infections or other illnesses.
4. Clear skin
Your outside is a reflection of your inside. When your gut is working optimally it can help your skin look and do better. Plus having a healthy gut may mean less inflammation in the body which can, in turn, help reduce skin issues such as rashes, acne, and eczema.
5. Balanced mood
A lot of your neurotransmitters are formed in the gut making the gut-brain connection very important. Reduced gut health may impact your emotions and overall mood. Studies have shown that having a healthy gut may help balance your mood and can possibly even reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. One resource that I highly recommnd for this issue is the book The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood & End Cravings by my friend and colleague Trudy Scott.
How to improve your gut health
In conclusion
Focusing on gut health can be a key to your health and wellbeing. If you are struggling with any of the issues mentioned above you may want to focus on your gut health. Consider starting with a food mood journal for 5-7 days and then look at your eating patterns. Keep in mind that choosing a clean eating plan, making sure that you are well hydrated, and adding mindfulness strategies to help manage stress are all good ways to support your gut.