The effects of poor gut health

Over the past few years gut health has become more and more of a priority and it seems now every supplement company has jumped on board promoting gut-healing supplements. Bloating is painful and uncomfortable, and it is a sure way to kill your mood for the day. Especially when it is unexplained. Firstly, it is important for you all to know that the digestive system is so complex, it is 9 meters in length and problems can occur along any point of the tract. This means the potential for issues are so  widespread. Almost all of our hormones are made or synthesized through the gut. This means that if there are gut issues there are likely going to be hormonal issues as well. Which is why certain foods react for some but not for others. There is a very big link between gut issues and mental health problems, as some of you may know your gut is like your second brain. Most of our serotonin is made in the gut and what we know about depression is it is a serotonin deficiency. There are also links between gut health, anxiety, and mood disorders as most of our neurotransmitters are also made in the gut. Essentially, poor gut health can impact almost every system in the body and the symptoms, you experience can be anything from mental health, skin issues, water retention, sleep issues to your common bloating and cramping. Here are some of the possible areas where things could be going wrong; In your brain If you are stressed and in-flight or fight mode you will not be able to digest your food properly along with if you are mindlessly eating and never feeling full or only crave certain foods. Your mouth Not chewing your food properly and dehydration can lead to gut issues Your stomach Low HCL; this can be lowered by stress, inflammation, poor thyroid function and infections causing decreased protein breakdown and increased risk of pathogens entering the system. Your Gallbladder This is where we absorb fats if there is inadequate bile being secreted, we will not be able to absorb fats causing stress on the system Your Pancreas If there are issues with pancreatic enzyme secretion carbohydrates, fats, and protein will not be absorbed properly The Small intestine This is where I see the most issues and is generally due to clients eating foods they are sensitive to which destroy the villi and microvilli on the small intestine wall The Large intestine This is generally where the infection can occur which will create issues over the entire G.I tract You are not what you eat but what you absorb! Issues with the gut can be wide-spread. It is important to make sure you get the right help to get to the root cause of the problem. Unfortunately, for the gut, it is not just a ‘pill’ or course of supplementation or antibiotics that will correct the issue. It takes a lot of time to repair and rebuild. And may include semi-permanent alterations to your food choices. But it will be so worth it in the long term!  I would recommend a dietitian, nutritionist who would be able to recommend you to get certain tests which some include blood test, When you notice yourself feeling uncomfortable and swollen make sure you write down the foods and drinks you have eaten that day and keep a note for any similarities.