If you’re feeling down, if you get sick more often than usual, if you’re having an upset stomach when you’re tired and stressed out, the chances are that your gut health is compromised.
A huge part of your immunity is developed in the gut, along with neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate your mood and feelings. Many diseases are associated with the condition of your gut microbiome, and studies have shown that allowing your gut to heal can also help treat the health problems you are experiencing.
Here are some of the diseases that you may experience due to an unhealthy gut:
Obesity
Obesity is one of the top health issues that first-world people have, largely blamed on poor lifestyle choices, especially diet. An imbalance in the gut microbiome, called dysbiosis, is a huge factor. Dysbiosis affects the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients and to store fat properly. Some people may also experience unintended weight loss because of gut health problems.
Autoimmune Diseases
Because the majority of the immunity is found in the gut, dysbiosis that can damage the gut’s lining can increase inflammation and compromise the immune response. Autoimmune diseases make your body attack itself, mistaking it for invaders.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Studies have found that certain bacteria in the gut can produce higher amounts of TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide). With high levels of TMAO, you are at a higher risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most documented diseases that are linked to gut health. A leaky gut can cause chronic inflammation, which then prompts increased insulin resistance. Some treatments for diabetes today include diet changes to target certain intestinal bacteria.
Psoriasis
An unhealthy gut can also manifest in your skin condition, and psoriasis is one of the skin irritations you might experience. It is painful, scaly patches of skin, associated with dysbiosis. Psoriasis can be due to overgrowth of candida, leaky gut, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Acne
A leaky gut allows particles to enter the bloodstream, and some bacteria can cause skin irritation. If you are having a breakout of acne that just won’t go away, it’s worth checking your gut health.
Acid reflux
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO has been associated with acid reflux. Some people experience GERD, which is worse than acid reflux. The overgrowth of bacteria affects the small intestine, which then pushes acid from the stomach towards the esophagus.
Constipation
Digestive problems are common, and constipation is one of the health problems caused by a poor gut condition. Constipation can happen when the gut contains lower levels of certain bacteria. Dysbiosis can also lead to diarrhea.
Anxiety
Anxiety can be paralyzing. You are constantly worried, and you can’t do anything productive because you are distracted. It is one of the common mental health issues that can be linked to gut health. The gut is responsible for producing some of the neurotransmitter chemicals that control mood.
Depression
While there are various triggers to depression, it can also help to look at your gut health. Studies have found that certain bacteria in the gut can contribute to severe depression.
Dementia
Dementia is one of the top causes of death in the world. Research has shown that an unhealthy gut microbiome can contribute to the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as it triggers metabolic disorders and inflammation.
Osteoarthritis
Who would have thought that the pain in your joints could be due to your gut health? Osteoarthritis can be associated with gut health because when the gut microbiome is unbalanced, it causes inflammation.
Asthma
Some bacteria in the gut are also responsible for asthma when they are out of balance. People may also suffer from allergies when the diversity of the microbes is compromised.
Thyroid Problems
Bacteria in the gut play an important role in metabolizing thyroid hormones. When the gut microbiome is compromised, the unbalance can decrease thyroid hormone conversions, leading to thyroid problems.
Wrapping Up
Gut health is largely responsible for our overall health. From the inside of our stomachs to our lungs, heart, and brain, and to the outside of our body in our skin – diseases and ill-health can be linked to the condition of our gut microbiome. Gut microbiome-based treatments for various diseases, particularly the chronic ones, are developing, and it is exciting to see how this will pan out in the future.
