HOW TO KNOW U HAVE A BALANCED GUT
When your gut is healthy, the rest of your body often hums along happily
Abdominal comfort (i.e., less gas and bloating)
Gas is produced as a normal part of the digestion and fermentation process in the gut, however some strains of gut bacteria naturally produce more gas than others. If you have more of these super-gas producing “bad” strains, it could lead to greater fermentation, trapping gas in the gut and creating bloat.
Regularity (going to much)
Gut microbial balance is paramount when it comes to regularity (i.e., not going too much or not going enough). For example, Clostridioides difficile, a type of bacteria that lives in the gut in small numbers, can create regularity issues (going too much) if it’s allowed to flourish. And this can push out the good bacteria in your gut, contributing to even more gut imbalance.
Mood
Your gut microbiome plays a vital role in your mental health and the way you respond to stress. Although the exact mechanisms aren’t totally clear, there’s evidence that certain hormones that are made in the gut—collectively called gut peptides—control the signaling between your gut and brain (and vice versa).
There are also neural communication channels between the gut and brain (i.e., gut-brain axis). If these pathways of gut-brain communication are thrown off, it can contribute to things like anxiousness and mood imbalance.
Skin health
Skin health needs can represent underlying gut health needs. That’s because gut is in direct communication with your skin through what’s called the gut-skin axis.
It plays a role in skin homeostasis and physiologic pathways that keep your skin clear and healthy. Your skin also has a unique microbiome of its own, and the bacteria in your gut influence the balance of bacteria on your skin. An imbalance in your gut can cause an imbalance in your skin and a variety of skin health needs depending on the individual.
Immune health
Your gut microbiome directly influences your immune system. When your gut is healthy, your immune system is healthy. In fact, approximately 70% of the immune system resides in your gut! When the gut is imbalanced, this can affect immune function and health.
