People tend to think about their stomach whenever the topic of gut health comes up, but there is much more to improve this part of your body than simply watching what you eat. Your gut also includes your large and small intestines, and what happens within this part of your body has a major influence on your overall well-being.

Several hundred different species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi live within your digestive tract, where they serve the purpose of breaking down the food that you eat. While the thought of having bacteria in your gut might make you feel squeamish, there are good kinds that your body depends upon for maintaining its processes.

When your gut is balanced correctly, you’ll have the right mixture of microorganisms to break down food and help clear out toxins. The beneficial bacteria also help boost your immune system and relieve digestive discomfort. If your gut becomes imbalanced, you’ll start to notice some rather uncomfortable changes in your body.

Noticing the early warning signs of gut health problems helps you begin taking action to replenish the healthy bacteria that you need to feel your best.

Who is at risk for gut health problems?
Modern life can make it hard to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Eating a fast food diet while trying to maintain a job, dealing with large amounts of stress, and staying up late to care for your family or finish up work are all things that can reduce the amount of good bacteria in your gut.
Anyone can develop problems with their gut, but you may be at higher risk of having this issue if any of the following factors apply to your lifestyle.

• failing to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night
• struggling with stress management
• eating a diet that is high in processed foods and sugar
• taking antibiotics, even on a short-term basis
• having a hormonal imbalance
• being overweight
• aging

What are the symptoms of an unhealthy gut?

No one can peer into their gut and get an accurate count of the microorganisms living there, but you can watch for signs of an imbalanced microbiome. Your gut sends out warning signs every day that lets you know when it is time to be proactive about getting it back into balance by using natural herbal supplements and making a few lifestyle changes.

Experiencing Digestive Discomfort
An imbalanced gut struggles to process food and clear out waste products, leading to common symptoms of digestive distress that many people struggle with daily. Gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation are all signs that your gut isn’t able to work efficiently.

Once constipation develops, the number of harmful bacteria can begin to increase and worsen your symptoms. Taking constipation supplements can help to get things moving again, which gives the other lifestyle changes you make a chance to work better.

Feeling Tired on a Regular Basis
When there isn’t enough good bacteria to extract the nutrients you need from your food, you may feel the effects of mild malnutrition. People with digestive symptoms from an unhealthy gut may also feel chronic fatigue related to the build-up of waste in their bloodstream.

Having Trouble Sleeping
Insomnia is common among people who struggle with irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive conditions that cause disruptive symptoms. Insomnia may also be linked to inflammation in the body that disrupts the brain’s processing of particular hormones that induce sleep.

A large part of the serotonin you need to fall asleep is also produced in the gut, so any disruptions to this part of your body’s processes could also be the reason why you find yourself tossing and turning all night.

Dealing with Food Intolerances
Lacking good microorganisms to break down food means you may need help eating certain foods. Keep in mind that food intolerances are different from allergies. With a food allergy, your body produces a histamine reaction to the things you eat that are related to your sensitivities.
Food intolerances have more to do with how your body breaks down food. For instance, lactose intolerance occurs when your body struggles to break down and utilize the sugar that is in certain dairy products. Some people are born with food intolerances, but you’ll need to be wary if one suddenly seems to develop.

Losing or Gaining Weight Without a Known Cause

As you might suspect, unintended weight loss can occur due to all of the uncomfortable digestive disruptions that occur from an imbalanced gut. Your body may also hold on to waste products or struggle with processing fat and sugar, which can lead to weight gain. Natural herbal supplements can often help with issues that include malabsorption to help you with better weight management.

Developing Autoimmune Problems
Autoimmune disorders are often related to inflammation. Certain kinds, such as diabetes, cause inflammation, creating a negative cycle between poor gut health and the rest of your body’s well-being.

For instance, having an unhealthy gut microbiome can lower insulin resistance, which could lead to diabetes. Meanwhile, diabetes can cause inflammation in the blood vessels that run through your gut, which could lead to further imbalances in the microbiome.

Struggling with Frequent Mood Swings
When you put all the symptoms of an imbalanced gut together, you can see how you might experience mood fluctuations. Being unable to rest appropriately, digest your food, and control autoimmune conditions can lead to serious crankiness. Fortunately, working on improving the health of your gut can help to brighten up your mood.

How can you improve your gut health?
The gut has an ever-changing microbiome, meaning you can restore balance. These actions can help you achieve a healthy gut that impacts your overall functioning.

Find Ways to Reduce Your Stress Levels
Stopping those acids in your gut from churning every time you get stressed can help prevent the good bacteria from dying too soon. You can even have some fun with this strategy for getting a healthier gut. Explore ways to improve your mental health, such as starting a new hobby or laughing at a comedy show. You can also meditate, take up yoga or use aromatherapy to kick high stress to the curb.

Add Prebiotics and Probiotics to Your Diet

You can put good bacteria directly into your gut by using natural herbal supplements or eating foods that are known to contain health-boosting microorganisms. Yogurt, kefir, and other sources of good bacteria are easy to include in your diet, and you’ll gradually begin to notice their effects of them as you gain more energy and fight off colds better.

Change Your Diet
While adding more sources of good bacteria into your diet, you might as well eliminate some types of food and beverages that don’t enhance your health. Eliminating sugary drinks and food helps to prevent bad bacteria from flourishing. You can also add fiber-rich foods from fruit and vegetable sources that provide fuel for healthy microorganisms to maintain your digestive functioning.

The best supplement for gut health is easily found through Farlong Nutraceutical’s tireless efforts to utilize the right blend of natural plants to introduce healthy microorganisms and nutrients to your body. Our InnerPure blend uses vegan-friendly ingredients to help flush out toxins that linger in the gut so that your whole digestive symptom works efficiently. When you combine this supplement with other healthy lifestyle changes, you can expect to begin seeing signs of a well-balanced gut.