Gut Check: Three Signs Your Gut is Struggling + How to Help It

Before breaking down the signs your gut is struggling, let's start with the science of the gut.

The truth is that the complexity of your gut can have a big impact on your overall well-being. From your mood to your complexion, it all ties back to the gut axis.

You may have heard the term “gut microbiome” before, in reference to microorganisms living in your intestines. There are hundreds of species of microbiomes in everyone’s digestive tract. While some are harmful to our health, many are actually essential for a healthy body.

Due to factors like stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, and even certain medications, it is very common for the balance of the microbiome in your intestinal tract to get a little off-kilter. When that happens, you may experience a host of unpleasant symptoms.

The good news is that restoring better balance to your gut microbiome is rather easy to do when armed with a little knowledge and with a few small lifestyle tweaks. Here’s what you need to know:

Signs of an Unhealthy Gut

Stomach Troubles

Irregularities such as bloating, cramping, upset stomach, poor digestion, food intolerances, and heartburn can all be key indicators that something is amiss in your gut. You may even experience unexplained fluctuations in weight, without making changes to your diet or fitness routine.

Poor Sleep and/or Fatigue

Tossing and turning? Experiencing insomnia or maybe just feeling tired all the time? These can also be signs that your gut microbiome has become compromised, and as a result, isn’t able to produce enough serotonin to boost your mood and relax your brain.

Skin Problems

Inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis can also be linked to an inflamed gut. This is because irritation in the gut stemming from an improper diet may cause certain proteins to “leak” into the body and irritate the surrounding tissue, including the skin.

Our Top Tips for Improving Gut Health

Get more rest and relaxation

Because gut inflammation can be caused by stress and can also result in a lack of sleep, it’s extra important to rest when you are able and incorporate mindful practices to keep stress levels in check. While it may not be possible to escape all of the daily stressors of modern life, making time to breathe and enjoy a little self-care can go a long way to restoring balance.

For promoting better sleep and overall mind-body calm, Hush & Hush’s MindYourMind sleep supplement can help. Its holistic formula includes L-Theanine, chamomile flower, and magnesium for achieving a good night’s rest.

Strive for more balance in your diet

As you’ve probably guessed by now, what you eat and put in your body plays a major role in the health of your gut microbiome. Experts recommend reducing processed or high-sugar or high-fat foods as well as upping your intake of plant-based foods and lean protein. Fiber-rich foods, in particular, have been shown to help improve gut health, so think lots of fruits and greens.

Hush & Hush's PlantYourDay Vegan Protein Powder which is formulated to promote balance for your skin and your gut health. The power-packed blend goes above and beyond the ingredients of a typical protein powder to include super greens, superfruits, anti-inflammatories, energy boosters, fiber, and digestive aids. Bonus: it also tastes great!

Incorporate prebiotics and probiotics

To help get your gut on the fast track to recovery, prebiotic and <a href="https://hh.hushandhush.com/product/plant-your-day/">probiotic supplementscan also be very beneficial. Prebiotics promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut, while probiotics provide live, good bacteria.

Not sure where to start?

Hush & Hush’s Plant Your Day Vegan Protein Powder also contains both prebiotics and probiotics, making it easy to incorporate both into your diet daily.