Scientists are discovering that the entirety of human health begins in the gut – that our genes “predispose” us to disease, but it’s our “gut bugs” that determine the expression of those genes. If the “garden” of microbes you have in your gut is out of balance, we refer to that as dysbiosis. That means that the good guys have been overpowered by the bad guys, and we are beginning to see inflammation and other not nice symptoms. There is no lab test that will conclusively tell you what microbes you have in your gut, so don’t waste your money.
Some of the more obvious signs of dysbiosis are:
- Food intolerance
- Gas and bloating
- Abdominal discomfort
- Change in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation)
- Nausea, vomiting
- Acid reflux
Some others that can be related to dysbiosis are:
- Asthma, seasonal allergies, chronic sinus problems, autoimmune issues, eczema
- Inflammation and pain
- Weight gain
- Endometriosis, PCOS, fertility issues, thyroid issues
- Depression / anxiety / brain fog / poor concentration / memory. Did you know that 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut by your beneficial microbes?
Your gut “bugs” help you, yes, but they also put their well-being ahead of yours by making you crave the foods that they want, like chocolate or sweets! But the good news is that you get to choose what you put in your mouth, and those choices ultimately determine the health of your microbiome and your entire body.
Joan Gitzel is a Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant and one of your neighbors!
