Did you know that 75% of our immune system is located in our stomachs? Our guts play a vital role in our body’s function, more than processing food.
Trillions of good bacteria call your gut home, helping your body absorb nutrients, among other things. If your gut is out of balance, you’ll start to notice problems.
Many people don’t realize the importance of their gut until it’s too late. If you’re one of those people, you might want to know how to heal your gut.
This guide will discuss everything you need to know about improving poor gut health. We’ll also go over gut health hacks to get you feeling back to normal as quickly as possible.
What Is a Gut Microbiome?
Microbes, or microorganisms, are viruses, fungi, bacteria, and other tiny living things. Another term for these microorganisms, specifically found in your GI tract, is gut flora, meaning the trillions of microorganisms that live within your body. These microbes aren’t here to harm you — they’re here to help your body function properly.
Most of your intestinal microbes live inside a pocket located in your large intestine. The pocket is called the cecum. Your intestinal microbes are commonly referred to as your gut microbiome.
There can be around 1,000 bacteria species living in your gut microbiome. Each species plays a role in your body’s function. Together, these microbes can weigh up to five pounds.
Why Gut Health Is Important
While the thought of bacteria living in your body might alarm you, your gut flora or the good bacteria in your gut is designed to help you. A healthy gut equates to a balanced gut. Your gut’s beneficial bacteria will keep you healthy by creating vital nutrients.
These nutrients serve as a barrier that protects you from intestinal infections. The key to ensuring that the beneficial bacteria do what they’re supposed to for you is keeping your gut balanced.
The good bacteria in your gut thrive on the food that passes through your digestive tract. The bacteria take energy from the parts of the food that we can’t digest.
Good bacteria also produce vitamins for your body. Your gut bacteria secrete various nutrients, such as vitamin K and vitamin B12. The newly produced vitamins work with amino acids to protect your body against infection and sickness.
What Does Gut Health Affect?
Your gut health affects multiple areas of your body if left unchecked. Increased bad bacteria levels can have an impact on your overall health. An unhealthy gut can affect the following areas:
- Digestion
- Energy levels
- Mood
- Immune system health
- Chronic diseases
- Brain health
- Weight
A gut imbalance can cause various problems throughout your body.
Signs of an Unhealthy Gut vs. Healthy Gut
From poor digestion symptoms to changes in sleep patterns, there are multiple symptoms of poor gut health. Some of the most common ones include:
- Upset stomach
- Unintentional weight fluctuations
- Constant fatigue or sleep disturbances
- Autoimmune conditions
- Skin irritations
- Migraines
- Food intolerances
It’s essential to know the signs of a healthy gut as well. Most of the symptoms of a healthy gut center around your digestion.
For example, a person with a healthy gut will have regular bowel movements. They won’t experience diarrhea, constipation, or loose stools. Additionally, they won’t react drastically to external stressors or food.
How to Check Gut Health
While you can order testing for your gut health, it can be expensive. One of the things you can do yourself to better grasp your gut health wellness is a visual inspection. This includes visually inspecting your poop.
The color of your poop can tell you a lot about what foods you aren’t and are absorbing well. Some colors to watch out for include:
- Greenish-yellow
- Red or black
- Green
- Yellow
How frequently you go poop is also an essential factor. Being chronically constipated can increase your risk for gut infections or imbalances.
How to Keep the Gut Healthy
Are you wondering how to keep your stomach healthy and clean? In addition to exercising regularly and managing your stress levels, you should eat a healthy diet.
You should eat unprocessed and fresh foods. Processed foods tend to get broken down into sugar. Sugar can have a negative impact on your gut health.
How to Heal Your Gut Naturally
Are you wondering how to kill bad gut bacteria and heal your gut? You can improve your natural gut health in a few ways.
Below are our top 10 ways to reset your gut health:
- Probiotics
- Prebiotics
- Drink tea and water
- Eat more fruits high in soluble fiber
- Eliminate inflammatory foods from your diet
- Add collagen to your daily routine
- Drink green juice
- Enjoy nourishing soups and brothers
- Exercise everyday
- Eat more fresh vegetables and whole foods
Following these tips will help you learn how to get rid of bad bacteria in the gut. Incorporate high-fiber foods that can naturally boost your collagen.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are made of good yeasts and/or live bacteria naturally found in your body. They help keep your gut in balance. You can eat certain foods that help you increase the good probiotics in your body.
Some of these food and/or drink items include:
- Kombucha
- Fermented foods, like sauerkraut and pickles
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
Balancing your gut with probiotics can positively affect your gut health and skin issues.
Signs Your Gut Is Healing
Restoring gut health is vital to improving your overall health. After incorporating the above tips into your lifestyle, you should watch out for signs that gut healing is taking place.
Some of the signs that signify a healing gut include:
- Your digestive issues go away
- Food sensitivities disappear
- You start to feel better emotionally and physically
- Your skin problems clear up
How long it takes for your gut to heal depends upon the person and how long its been out of balance. You didn’t develop an unbalanced gut overnight. Getting your gut back in check will take time as well.
Learn How to Heal Your Gut With Our Tips to Improve Gut Health
You can’t diminish gut health importance. Your gut has a profound effect on your entire body. If your body isn’t functioning as it should, you should look at how to heal your gut.
Weight Loss Direct is here to help you live a happier and healthier life. Check out our blog for more tips on tricks on how to improve your health.