Gut health is getting a lot of buzz lately, and it’s easy to see why. The gut is pretty much the center of our health universe. It’s where we absorb nutrients and hydration, produce hormones, eliminate waste and even house up to 80 percent of our immune cells.
So what happens when your gut isn’t working optimally? Many of these functions become impaired, which in turn can lead to serious health issues like autoimmune disease and even cancer.
Here are some signs that your gut may be making you sick:
- Painful Digestion. If you experience bloating or gas, cramps, burning sensations or pain after eating or drinking certain foods or beverages, it may be a sign that your gut is suffering from inflammation due to a leaky gut. Often times this is caused by a food sensitivity like gluten or dairy. Removing these foods from your diet and supporting the healing process with certain supplements will help heal the gut lining. Here are some other ways to heal leaky gut naturally!
- Constipation. If you have fewer than three bowel movements a week or bowel movements that are hard to pass, you might be constipated. This can occur if you don’t eat enough fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains; don’t drink enough liquids; or don’t get enough exercise. To ease constipation, try drinking more water and eating high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains (like oatmeal). You should also get regular exercise — shoot for at least 30 minutes a day.
- You’re constantly tired. When your gut is healthy and you’re digesting food correctly, you shouldn’t feel tired after eating. If you find yourself dozing off after lunch or getting sluggish in the afternoon, it could mean something is wrong with your digestive system. If you’re not digesting your food properly, there is a lot of energy that goes into that process and leaves less for other areas of the body — including your brain and muscles, which can leave you feeling lethargic
