The Surprising Way an Unhealthy Gut Microbiome Could Wreck Your Health

Many diseases and health problems begin in the gut and it is important that we start to discover more about our gut and our microbiome. Scientists and medical professionals have recently linked a huge number of diseases to the makeup of our gut microbiome. Our gut microbiome is the ecosystem of microscopic organisms or microbes that live in our gut. Many of these microbes are essential for our bodies to function effectively.

As well as aiding our digestion, they help regulate our immune system, and our metabolism and even communicate with our brain to influence everything from our appetite, and our instincts to our mood. An unhealthy microbiome can have a wide array of repercussions that might not be immediately apparent, ranging from changes in metabolism and digestion to skin and hormonal issues. We've outlined some of the ways an unhealthy gut microbiome can impact your health.

When you have an overgrowth of unhealthy gut bacteria, the gas they give off can lead to uncomfortable bloating and belly pain. Luckily, once you start a healthy diet your symptoms are likely to subside.

If your gut bacteria aren’t properly working to digest your food, it may slow down your motility, leaving you constipated and uncomfortable.

Skin problems like acne, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis all have microbiome and inflammatory-autoimmune components to them. For many, the missing link to healing their skin issues is healing their microbiome.

Weight loss resistance and obesity have been linked to an imbalance of bacteria in the microbiome. The microbiome factor may turn out to be a key component for many people seeking to lose weight their body has been holding on to for years.

Chronically low immune system health can be largely due to weak microbiome health; or an overgrowth of opportunistic bacteria, fungi, or a parasite.

When your gut bacteria isn’t doing its job, it can make it more difficult for you to digest your food, causing indigestion and stomach pain.

Researchers at the Center for Genome Sciences and Washington University School of Medicine have discovered a link between gut bacteria, obesity, metabolism, and diabetes in mice, indicating that the right balance in your belly may help reduce your risk of weight gain that can predispose you to insulin regulation issues.

It’s estimated that up to 10 percent of women have PCOS. researchers at Dalian Medical University have discovered that supplementation with beneficial bacteria helped reduce PCOS symptoms in rats.

For optimal health and well-being, it's important for us to maintain balanced and healthy gut bacteria. If you believe that your gut microbiome and health are out of whack, talking to your doctor or healthcare provider is the best plan of action.