Medically reviewed by Dr. Bhavya
Your body is home to countless microbes, and the microbes in your digestive tract play a role in protecting your health. Your gastrointestinal tract contains trillions of microorganisms, known as the gut microbiome. Gut health depends on the microbiome's composition, adequate digestion and absorption of food, the absence of gut illnesses, and an effective immune system.
When your gut health gets imbalanced, that condition is called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis indicates a lack of diversity and balance. This is stomach-related and causes other health conditions. When your gut microbiome is imbalanced, you are more likely to develop gut diseases. Changes to your gut microbiome can occur because the different microbes in your intestines are out of balance.
Different types of microbes are inside your body, but bacteria are the most studied microbes. Some bacteria present in your microbiome are associated with disease, and others are significant for your immune system, heart health, weight, and other aspects of health. There are up to 1000 species of bacteria in the human gut microbiome, each with different bodily functions. Most are significant for your health, whereas others can cause diseases.
A well-balanced gut plays a significant role in protecting your GI health. To maintain a healthy microbiome, you should have both protective and harmful bacteria.
If you are having stomach problems or experiencing the symptoms above, you should talk to your doctor.
Read more about Gut Microbiome and Chronic Inflammation: A Complete Guide
Let's explore how gut bacteria affect body weight. The gut microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining metabolic health and body weight. Unexplained weight changes are usually linked to an imbalance in the gut microbiome.
Both obesity and cachexia (extreme weight loss) are associated with altered gut microbiota. Specific dietary approaches positively impact body weight and gut microbiota. However, changes in gut microbiota alone are not enough to change your body weight.
Diets that can increase feelings of energy or reduce feelings of fatigue may also be connected with changes in the concentration of the gut microbiome. Gut microbes may correlate with four distinct aspects of mental and physical well-being:
The gut-brain axis and fatigue are always interconnected.
The gut is so powerful that it can affect our moods and thinking. People who experience less energy and fatigue on a daily basis may be experiencing changes according to the population of their gut-healthy microbiome. Evidence suggests that you may be more tired or exhausted from alterations in your gut microbes.
Low energy levels can also be associated with a viral infection or any other illness due to reducing healthy gut microbes.
All of these factors affect how energetic you feel during the day. Long-standing inflammation of the gut causes an unusual experience of tiredness that can also be caused by bad gut health.
Skin problems and gut health are Interlinked.
Compositional gut microbiota changes have been linked to increased inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and more.
It is true that Guts Imbalance Imbalances the Brain. Mental health and gut connection are strongly intertwined. Gut microbiomes good for gut health are crucial in regulating emotions, cognition, and overall mental health. There is always a directly proportional relationship between the gut and the brain.
Interactions between the immune system and gut balance play key roles in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and inhibiting inflammation. According to research, nearly 70 per cent of the immune system is located in the stomach and intestine.
Read more about Gut Microbiome and Autoimmune Disorders: All You Need to Know
How to fix gut health? You can improve your gut microbiome by changing your lifestyle. Lifestyle changes, mainly healthy eating habits, can improve your digestive health. Consider these tips to improve your digestive health naturally:
Read more about Tips to Boost Your Gut Microbiome.
After reading this blog, you will understand the signs of an imbalanced gut microbiome. You now understand the concept of gut microbiome well; maintaining your gut health may not be difficult.
Gut health affects physical and mental health. Similarly, mood, stress level, and mental health also depend on gut health. Therefore, a healthy gut microbiome is essential for maintaining overall health, good digestion, immunity and mental health. You can regain or re-establish the balance of your gut microbiome through a healthy diet, lifestyle, stress management and sound sleep.
When your gut health gets imbalanced, that condition is called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis indicates a lack of diversity and balance.
The gut microbiome is critical in maintaining metabolic health and body weight.
Yes, the gut microbiome can affect mental health. The gut microbiome produces neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
Your food habits, lifestyle, stress level, sleep and exercise affect your gut microbiome.
Yes, because probiotics are live, good bacteria that can maintain gut health.
Dr. Sudarshan Cheral
Dr Sudarshan Cheral is an Ayurveda practitioner with over 9 years of rich clinical experience. Also, as an experienced Ayurveda medical writer with more than 4 years in the field, he has skillfully contributed to Ayurveda literature, assisting in writing 4 books and translating 2 essential texts. Dr. Sudarshan is deeply committed to the art of teaching and has guided numerous international students on their journey to mastering Ayurveda.