5 Ways Poor Gut Health is Affecting You

You’ve probably been told to “listen to your gut” sometime in your life. Although this context doesn’t mean to actually listen to your internal organs, you should be paying attention to it. Your gut can give you lots of clues into its health through different symptoms, many stemming from its bacterial makeup — or microbiome.

To put it simply, the microbiome of your gut involves a complicated balance between good and bad bacteria. When this balance shifts to having too many bad bacteria, your health can change in many different ways. Some health experts recommend a probiotic to achieve balance, but a probiotic alone may not be cutting it for you and your gut. From negatively affecting your sleep to your mood, here are five ways subpar gut health could be hurting you.

It’s Limiting Your Sleep

This might not be what you’d expect to hear, but having poor gut health can actually negatively affect your sleep quality. Poor gut health can impact sleep quality due to the gut-brain connection. The gut produces serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, mood, and relaxation. If your gut health is compromised, serotonin production may be reduced, leading to difficulty falling or staying asleep. Additionally, imbalances in gut bacteria can cause inflammation, which disrupts the body’s natural sleep patterns and leads to restless nights.

Luckily, you can improve both your gut health and sleep at the same time. Taking certain sleep gummies can help you get deeper, quality sleep while also balancing your microbiome. Some sleep supplements are crafted with active cultures that support gut health. These gummies often include strains like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, which help balance the gut microbiome. Along with probiotics, they may contain sleep-enhancing ingredients like melatonin, magnesium, and L-theanine, which work together to calm the mind and body and improve sleep cycles.

It’s Weakening Your Immunity

Your gut health is very closely tied to your immune system, which is how auto-immune disorders lower your ability to fight infection. According to UCLA Health, “70% of the immune system is located in the gut,” which is a staggering majority. Even without a disorder, a weakened, imbalanced gut will reduce your immunity, and you may find yourself getting sick often.

While most people head for the vitamin C gummies or Emergen-C tablets, consider souping up your gut health. And don’t just stop at taking a regular probiotic. Try a probiotic plus vitamin C supplement. These combine the immune-boosting powers of both supplements to benefit your immunity twice as much.

It’s Making You Bloated

One of the most common ways your digestive system will show you it’s upset is through bloating. This is trapped gas in your colon that can be painful and make you look as though you’ve gained weight. While you can pop a Gas-X and call it a day, that won’t attack the source of the problem.

Your gut might need more help than just balancing its microbiome — you might need to feed it. And no, this doesn’t mean you need to eat more, this means the good bacteria isn’t getting its own version of food. Prebiotics are the ‘food’ for probiotics that makes sure these bacteria are strengthened and effective. Try using a supplement that combines both prebiotics and probiotics for extra gut health.

On the other hand, you might be battling food sensitivities that you’re unaware of. Lactose intolerance is one of the most common, and around 36% of Americans are negatively affected by lactose. This substance is a sugar naturally found in milk and dairy products, meaning you might need to cut back on the cheese. Watch carefully for signs of sensitivity by taking note of what you eat and how you feel afterward.

It’s Worsening Your Mood

Yes, your gut can impact your mental health as well. Your gut is home to many serotonin receptors, which communicate with your brain and play a role in regulating mood. Serotonin, often called one of the ‘happy hormones,’ is essential for feeling good, and the foods you eat can influence how much serotonin is produced.

When you eat heavily processed or inflammatory foods, like fast food or meals high in unhealthy fats and preservatives, it can disrupt your gut’s balance. This inflammation can affect how well those serotonin receptors function, potentially leading to less effective mood regulation. While indulging in fast food might feel satisfying at the moment, your gut — and eventually your mood — may not respond as positively. To support your gut and your mental well-being, try to limit processed, fatty, and preservative-laden foods in favor of more nutrient-dense options.

It’s Impeding Your Bowel Movements

One of the clearest signs of poor gut health is changes in your bowel habits. You may experience constipation, diarrhea, or irregularity, making trips to the bathroom uncomfortable and unpredictable. This happens because an imbalanced gut can disrupt digestion and hinder the proper absorption of nutrients, leading to digestive issues.

Again, a probiotic supplement might not be enough on its own to fully address bowel issues. Consider trying one that’s enriched with fiber, or focus on increasing your intake of fiber-rich foods like fruits, whole grains, and leafy greens such as spinach and kale. Fiber works by bulking up stool to help relieve constipation while also absorbing excess water in the gut to firm up loose stools and manage diarrhea. Incorporating more fiber into your routine can support a healthier, more regular digestive process.

Remember to Listen to Your Gut

Your gut can sometimes be hard to understand, but paying attention to the signs of upset is necessary for improving overall health. Start a food journal, eat more fiber, and try balancing your diet with more healthy foods. You’ll hopefully start to notice a difference and can learn what your gut does and doesn’t like. Over time, it’ll be easier to listen to your gut, and you’ll reap the rewards of treating it well.