7 signs of gut dysbiosis

The quote from Hippocrates where he said “all disease begins in the gut” couldn’t be more true. Regardless of the symptoms, most illnesses can be traced all the way back to an initial decline in gut health. Our gut is our first defence when it comes to unwanted bacteria but it is also where key nutrients get absorbed. A healthy gut means stable wellness and actually absorbing the nutrients you are eating.

Once our gut health starts to decline we can experience more frequent colds, tiredness and even hormonal issues, but what are the main symptoms of gut dysbiosis? Thats exactly what we’ll cover today.

1. Histamine sensitivity 

Histamine tends to be only one of those things you know about if you either have a problem breaking it down or you are experienced with nutrition. Firstly high histamine foods are not bad, quite the opposite, some of the best food for your health are high histamine, such as fermented foods, dried foods and even tomatoes. 

If you ever notice that after you eat some aged cheese that you feel a little on edge or anxious, or you get a skin flare up or difficulties digesting, then you could be sensitive to histamine or even histamine intolerant. 

Putting aside MCAS and other non-gut related issues that cause histamine intolerance. If you have developed a histamine intolerance or are noticing that you are becoming more sensitive to histamine, you could have a bacterial overgrowth or leaky gut. 

Bacterial overgrowth or pathogen reduce your body’s ability to deal with histamine and a leaky gut can allow histamine to leak out and cause a reaction. Targeting bad bacteria and sealing the gut are the key areas of good gut health.

2. Chronic bloating 

If you are constantly bloated after eating, then chances are your gut health is struggling, whether its stomach acid or a bacterial overgrowth. Bloating is a sign you shouldn’t ignore.

Firstly addressing any known harmful ingredients you may be eating as well as testing for any allergies you may have. The key to improving bloating is getting enough nutrients for stomach acid to be high, along with sealing the gut, killing bad bacteria and reintroducing beneficial bacteria. 

3. Brain fog 

Certain bacteria overgrowths such as candida can cause headaches and brain fog. The gut-brain axis is linked so closely that minor changes in the gut can massively affect our mood, clarity and even optimism. 

Killing bad bacteria doesn’t mean using harmful antibiotics, simple natural antimicrobials such as ginger, Manuka honey, garlic, propolis, mastic gum, all work effectively to kill bad bacteria and in doing so free up clarity in your head. 

4. Skin issues 

Our skin is a reflection of the state of our gut regardless of how many dermatologists will tell you that food doesn’t impact skin health. 

If our skin is glowing, hydrated, supple and generally looking healthy then that is a great sign that the gut is also doing well, however, if we are suffering with eczema, psoriasis, or other skin issues then its very likely that our gut is struggling.

A gut that is healthy, which is to say the microbiome is balanced and flourishing, not over burdened with a overgrowth or other pathogens, but thriving with healthy bacteria which are in unison (since too much of one good bacteria is also a bad thing) then this will reflect in us having healthy glowing skin. Fix the gut and 9 times out of 10 you fix the skin.

5. White tongue 

A clear sign of candida overgrowth is a thick white coating on one’s tongue. Candida is something that most live with without issue when it is kept in check, the issues comes when an overgrowth happens. 

Candida can develop from an intake of too much ultra processed foods, as well as other origins, so the more your diet consists of whole foods the more likely your tongue will be pinker and the less candida you will have. 

The key to getting rid of a candida overgrowth isn’t brushing more but first sealing the gut and then targeting the bad bacteria with natural antimicrobials as listed in point three, and then re-introducing beneficial bacteria. Tongue scraping with a copper tongue scraper can also help speed up this process.

6. Bad breath 

Bad breath isn’t always an oral issue, it is often a result of bacteria within the gut off-gassing and this gas being presented in the breath. As you begin to heal your gut, your breath and oral health should improve greatly. 

Oral hygiene is of course just as important as working on your gut, remembering to brush and floss with natural options such as coconut oil (can be used for brushing and oil pulling), natural bristle toothbrushes and silk floss.

7. Infrequent stools 

Infrequent stools are unfortunately extremely common in the modern day. Daily or even twice a day aren’t as common as they should be but they is the standard everyone should aim for. 

Since fast gut motility and elimination will reduce the chance of bad bacteria growing in the large and small intestine. Beneficial bacteria such as probiotics in raw milk, fermented foods such as yoghurt and sauerkraut and even coffee can all help aid in daily eliminations and help the gut move quickly once again. 

Summary 

Our gut lining renews every 3-5 days so changes made today can be felt quickly. The key to good gut health is paying attention to the ingredients that you eat, targeting bad bacteria, keeping the gut sealed and keeping a balanced amount of beneficial bacteria coming in. Fixing your gut is one of the best things you’ll ever do for yourself, take the time to understand how your gut works and how you can keep it healthy.