Gut health is extremely important as it influences everything from your digestion to your brain and immune system.
If you feel like anything might be wrong, you should ask your doctor for an appointment so that the issue could be addressed. Bear in mind that symptoms are not always obvious, and there are some things you should keep in mind as they might be an indicator of a potential problem. Chloe Williams, a holistic nutritionist, shared a list of seven symptoms you should never ignore.
She said: “These are seven gut symptoms you should never ignore. These are all serious indicators of potential gut health problems.” While the list is not exhaustive, it can help you break down a range of common symptoms and what could be behind them.
The following of seven symptoms you should never ignore as they could be a sign that something is wrong with your gut health.
Stringy spit
Chloe said: “If you spit into a cup of water immediately upon waking up and you have strings hanging down in the water, this can be an indicator that you have something called Candida, which is a yeast overgrowth.” She noted: “Some practitioners swear by this.” However, she added that this “is not rooted in science” before adding that the rest of her video would be based on science-backed advice. If you suspect you might have Candida, you should contact your healthcare provider to find a treatment as soon as possible, as just with any infection, early treatment prevents further complications.
Bloating after breakfast
Chloe said bloating after breakfast could also be a sign of an issue. She explained: “If you wake up, eat your breakfast and bloat immediately, this can be an indicator of SIBO, small intestinal bacteria overgrowth. SIBO occurs when there is excess bacteria up in the small intestine that are fermenting your food. Just like a piece of fruit that is rotting, this going to lead to excess gas and a lot of discomfort, like bloat right after you eat.”
Excessive bloating
The expert continued: “On the other hand, if you wake up feeling great about yourself and then by the end of the day you feel like you look nine months pregnant, this is a really good indicator of low stomach acid.” She said this type of bloating is often experienced alongside frequent heartburn, which she listed as another symptom to watch out for.
Frequent heartburn
According to Chloe, frequent heartburn could be an indicator of low stomach acid. Unfortunately, people with heartburn often reach for an acid suppressor which could be contributing to the problem and making it worse in the long term, she added. Sharing advice, the expert said: “I recommend taking two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning within fifteen minutes of waking, mixed with some hot water. It will help to increase the amount of hydrochloric acid that you have in your body available to break down your food.”
Stomach pain after eating
“Another sign not to ignore is stomach pain after eating,” claimed Chloe.” If you were like me once upon a time and you feel like everything you are eating is giving you a stomach ache, it’s probably because you have leaky gut and you are developing food sensitivities to the foods that you are eating,” she said, before breaking down the science behind the problem.
Leaky gut syndrome is a hypothetical condition and is based on the concept of relative intestinal permeability, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The clinic’s website explains: “Leaky gut syndrome is a theory that intestinal permeability is not only a symptom of gastrointestinal disease but an underlying cause that develops independently. If your intestinal barrier is impaired, it may be letting toxins into your bloodstream. These toxins may trigger an inflammatory response that may manifest as various diseases.”
White tongue
The expert said having a white coating on your tongue is a sign you likely have Candida overgrowth. She explained: “If you have this symptom I’m willing to bet you also have constipation, some kind of acne, food sensitivity, fatigue, and a whole lot of cravings for sugar. Also lots of joint pain and serious mood swings or anxiety.”
Type one or type two stool
“We’re all out here striving for number four on the Bristol stool chart. This is perfect, this tells you that you have optimal digestion and not too much to be worried about in terms of the bowel movement department,” said Chloe. “If you are having type one or a type two here, these are telling me that there is probably some kind of dehydration going on. There is something going on in the gut for sure. Again, these can be related to an overgrowth of Candida. This could be related to low stomach acid.
“This is also a problem that needs to be addressed because if we don’t eliminate the toxins that are in our body then they are going to recirculate through our bloodstream.” She also suggested everyone should experience bowel movements “every single day”. You should also speak to a doctor before making any diet or lifestyle changes. Sharing any concerns with your GP will also allow them to check for underlying medical conditions which could be contributing to your symptoms.
Courtesy: Chiara Fiorillo, Mirror
