A Healthy Vision

If your stomach is feeling off, it could be something other than your stomach. It could be the way your gastrointestinal system – what we call the gut – is reacting to certain foods. The microorganisms that live inside your stomach and intestines help your body to digest foods, assist your immune system, synthesize serotonin, eliminate waste & produce certain vitamins. 

There’s a lot more going on in there than you know!  So, if your stomach isn’t feeling quite right, you may have an imbalance of bacteria in your gut.  Here are some common stomach symptoms and possible explanations:

• Food cravings: We’re not talking about your daily 2:00 pm candy dish raid.  Craving foods, especially sugary sweets which can decrease the number of “good” bacteria and diversity in your gut. Research suggests that eating too much sugar may lead to inflammation.

• Poor fatigue: Studies suggest that an imbalance in gut bacteria may be linked to fragmented sleep and short sleep duration, potentially leading to fatigue.

• Skin rashes may also indicate that there is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. Certain conditions like psoriasis may be related to the bacteria in your gut.

• Autoimmune conditions: Many studies have found connections between the gut and the immune system. An unhealthy gut may increase systemic inflammation and affect the functioning of the immune system. This may play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases, in which the body attacks its own cells.

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you may want to try building a healthier gut environment.  Small change in your diet and daily activity can adjust the levels of good & bad bacteria in your stomach in as little as 24 hours.  Below are some tips to try:

• Consider adding fermented foods into your diet such as yogurt, kombucha, and kefir which are natural sources of healthy bacteria (also known as probiotics).

• Swap out processed foods for whole foods like fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts/seeds.

• Add in some prebiotic foods that help to feed the good bacteria in your body.  Examples are bananas, garlic, quinoa and pistachios.

• Eat slowly and thoroughly chew your food as this may help reduce digestive discomfort and maintain a healthy gut.

• Stay hydrated- Drinking enough water might be connected to having a wider variety of bacteria in your gut, but the type of water you drink is also important. Staying well-hydrated is also good for your overall health and can help you avoid constipation.

• Get moving! Excess weight, especially in the mid-section can put extra pressure on the stomach which can contribute to heartburn, constipation and ulcers.

• Talk to your doctor.  If you are experiencing any symptoms for more than a few days, you should consider talking to your physician.  Chronic stomach symptoms could be an indicator of IBS, Pancreatitis, ulcer or other serious health conditions.

The human digestive system is fascinating and current research suggests that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in our overall health. Maybe sometimes your gut is trying to communicate something important to you.