Gut health is a complex topic, but for many, a bad gut can seriously affect day to day life. Making sure you know how to take care of your gut effectively and avoid problems in the long run is key to a healthy life. Below, you’ll find the basics of gut health and what you should know. Take a look:
What Are The Signs Of An Unhealthy Gut?
There are many signs you can look for in an unhealthy gut. If you’re regularly experiencing an upset tummy, constipation, diarrhea, and unintentional weight changes, then it’s likely your gut needs some TLC. Many people with poor gut health also experience sleep disturbances and fatigue, and sometimes skin irritation. If you have to deal with these symptoms more often than not, then your gut could definitely use some help.
What Can You Do For Gut Health?
If you know your gut needs some help, what can you do? It doesn’t all involve medication, and you will need to be willing to put some effort into your gut recovery.
- Reduce your stress levels – find ways to reduce your stress levels. You can do this with methods like meditation, walking, gentle exercise, massage, spending time with friends and family, and anything else that helps you to feel more relaxed and at peace.
- Get plenty of sleep – uninterrupted, quality sleep is crucial for every aspect of a healthy life. Try to get 7-8 hours a night for the best results. That being said, an unhealthy gut can disrupt your sleep, so you may need to work on other methods of healing your gut.
- Eat slowly – don’t wolf down your food. Make sure you eat slowly, chewing your food properly, and putting your cutlery down in between bites.
- Stay hydrated – stay hydrated with lots of water. Aim for 2-3 liters per day.
- Check for food intolerances – it could be worth having a test to see if you’re intolerant to certain foods. You might be surprised at the food that is giving you a bad stomach.
Depending on the issues you are having with your gut, you may be able to find medication to address the issue. Your doctor or GP might prescribe tablets to stop diarrhea, for example, which can be a huge relief. However, it could be worth working on things the holistic way first. See if you can also reduce the amount of high sugar, high fat foods you eat, and make sure you’re also eating a diet that is high in fiber, onion and garlic, and fermented foods.
Another thing you should plan on doing is visiting a primary care doctor regularly. Only visiting a doctor when there is something wrong means never being able to visit a doctor that knows what you look like when you’re healthy! This sort of doctor won’t be as helpful when it comes to diagnosing your problems. By having a primary care doctor that knows you when you are healthy, you will more effectively be able to combat issues with your gut and health in general.
Thank you for reading!