Signs of Poor Gut Health and Why It’s Important

by admin | Mar 29, 2024 | Main

Introduction

By now, you’ve probably heard about gut health and how many health conditions can arise from poor gut health. In this blog, we will explain what “gut health” actually means, signs and symptoms of poor gut health, and why it’s important..

What is Gut Health?

Did you know there are more microorganisms in your body than your human cells? Gut health, or the “gut microbiome”, is a combination of microorganisms living in your intestines. These consist of about 300-500 different species of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Some are harmful to our bodies, but most are beneficial and necessary for health. 

Unfortunately, in the world we live in, there are many ways this delicate system can be disrupted. These include:

• Chronic stress
• Lack of sleep
• High intake of sugar and ultra-processed foods (a.k.a. the Standard American Diet)
• Oral antibiotic use
• Chronic inflammation

So, it’s easy to see why many of us would struggle with gut health.

Signs of Poor Gut Health

While some signs of poor gut health are obvious, there are some other vague symptoms you may not realize are tied to the gut. Here are some symptoms to look out for:

• Stomach upset, such as gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea or heartburn – gut health issues can lead to inability to process food effectively, leading to GI distress.
• Unexplained weight changes – An unhealthy gut can alter the body’s ability to process and absorb nutrients and maintain blood sugar. This can lead to insulin resistance and body fat storage. Additionally, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can cause weight loss due to malabsorption of the food you eat.
• Fatigue – Feeling tired all the time? This may be a sign of an imbalance in bacteria in the gut. Research suggests that poor gut health may lead to sleep disturbances.
• Skin or Hair Issues – Have you noticed changes in your skin, such as acne or psoriasis? Or maybe you’ve noticed hair loss? While there are many potential causes for skin and hair issues, poor gut health is one of them. Poor gut health can lead to nutrient malabsorption and immune deficiencies, both of which can contribute to changes in skin and hair health.
• Autoimmune Conditions – Many autoimmune conditions are linked to poor gut health. 
• Unexplained Food Intolerances – Have you suddenly developed a reaction to a food you used to be able to eat? Poor gut health may be linked to many food intolerances.
• Changes in Mood and Thinking – Feeling down, more anxious than usual, or struggling to concentrate? This may be due to something called the gut-brain connection, or the communication between our gut and brain. Alterations in our microbiome are associated with neurological disorders. 

Why Gut Health is Important

It’s easy to see why caring about gut health is important when our microbiome outnumbers the actual cells in our body! Additionally, you may struggle from one or many of the symptoms above. By improving your gut health, you can also improve your symptoms and begin to feel “normal” again.

If that’s not reason enough, poor gut health has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.

 This is thought to be a result of chronic inflammation caused by a leaky gut (intestinal permeability), resulting in toxic byproducts leaking into our bloodstream and causing an immune response.

What’s Next?

If you want to learn more about intestinal permeability, click here.

For more about how we diagnose whether you have poor gut health, click here. 

If you would like to schedule a free 15 minute discovery call, click here.

References

1. Quigley EMM. Gut bacteria in health and disease. Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2013;9(9):560.
2. Balakrishnan B, Taneja V. Microbial modulation of the gut microbiome for treating autoimmune diseases. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;12(10):985-996. doi:10.1080/17474124.2018.1517044
3. Mayer EA, Nance K, Chen S. The gut–brain axis. Annu Rev Med. 2022;73(1):439-453. doi:10.1146/annurev-med-042320-014032

Understanding Intestinal Permeability or “Leaky Gut”

by admin | Mar 29, 2024 | Main

Introduction

Intestinal permeability, or “leaky gut,” has gained increasing attention in recent years as researchers find out more about the complex interactions between our gut and overall health. This condition involves the loosening of the tight junctions between the cells lining the intestinal wall, allowing unwanted substances to pass through and enter the bloodstream. This blog will explore the causes, symptoms, and diseases related to intestinal permeability or leaky gut.

Causes of Intestinal Permeability

• Diet: As mentioned in our previous blog, a major contributor to intestinal permeability is the Standard American Diet, which often includes high levels of refined sugars, processed foods, and excess alcohol intake. 
• Dysbiosis: Imbalances in the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, can damage the intestinal barrier and cause leaky gut.
• Stress: Chronic stress has been linked to increased intestinal permeability.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), can damage the gut.

Symptoms of Intestinal Permeability

While digestive symptoms may be obvious indicators of intestinal permeability, there are other, less obvious symptoms:

• Digestive Issues: Intestinal permeability often shows up as digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and food sensitivities.
• Autoimmune Conditions: There is growing evidence that links leaky gut to autoimmune diseases like celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. 
• Allergies and Skin Conditions: Leaky gut can lead to increased immune responses, potentially causing allergies and skin conditions.
• Mood Disorders: A growing body of research suggests that intestinal permeability may influence depression and anxiety. 

Diseases Related to Intestinal Permeability

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Patients with IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, often exhibit increased intestinal permeability.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): While not completely understood, there’s a growing body of evidence connecting IBS to intestinal permeability. 
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Some studies have suggested that children with ASD may have increased intestinal permeability.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia: Research indicates a potential association with leaky gut.

Conclusion

Intestinal permeability is a complex issue with numerous causes, symptoms, and related diseases. Leaky gut may have far-reaching implications for overall health and well-being. While further research is needed to fully comprehend the complexities of intestinal permeability, the available evidence points to the importance of a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, and managing stress to support gut health and reduce the risk of related health problems. Want to learn more about symptoms of poor gut health? Click here.

References

1. Snelson M, Tan SM, Clarke RE, et al. Processed foods drive intestinal barrier permeability and microvascular diseases. Sci Adv. 2021;7(14). doi:10.1126/sciadv.abe4841
2. Quesada-Vázquez S, Bone C, Saha S, et al. Microbiota dysbiosis and gut barrier dysfunction associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are modulated by a specific metabolic cofactors’ combination. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(22):13675. doi:10.3390/ijms232213675
3. Madison A, Kiecolt-Glaser JK. Stress, depression, diet, and the gut microbiota: human–bacteria interactions at the core of psychoneuroimmunology and nutrition. Curr Opin Behav Sci. 2019;28:105-110. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2019.01.011
4. Bjarnason I, Takeuchi K. Intestinal permeability in the pathogenesis of NSAID-induced enteropathy. J Gastroenterol. 2009;44(S19):23-29. doi:10.1007/s00535-008-2266-6
5. Bischoff SC, Barbara G, Buurman W, et al. Intestinal permeability – a new target for disease prevention and therapy. BMC Gastroenterol. 2014;14(1). doi:10.1186/s12876-014-0189-7
6. Michielan A, D’Incà R. Intestinal permeability in inflammatory bowel disease: Pathogenesis, clinical evaluation, and therapy of leaky gut. Mediators Inflamm. 2015;2015:1-10. doi:10.1155/2015/628157
7. Hanning N, Edwinson AL, Ceuleers H, et al. Intestinal barrier dysfunction in irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2021;14:175628482199358. doi:10.1177/1756284821993586
8. D’Eufemia P, Celli M, Finocchiaro R, et al. Abnormal intestinal permeability in children with autism. Acta Paediatr. 1996;85(9):1076-1079. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.1996.tb14220.x
9. Martín F, Blanco-Suárez M, Zambrano P, et al. Increased gut permeability and bacterial translocation are associated with fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: implications for disease-related biomarker discovery. Front Immunol. 2023;14. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1253121

Get to the Root Cause with the Gut Zoomer Test

by admin | Mar 29, 2024 | Main

Introduction

If you’ve read our previous blogs on gut health and intestinal permeability, you may be wondering how to know if poor gut health is to blame for your symptoms. This is where the Gut Zoomer Test by Vibrant Wellness comes in to help us get to the root of the problem. In this blog, we’ll explain who would benefit from the Gut Zoomer test, how the process works, and what the results can tell us about your gut health.

Could you Benefit from the Gut Zoomer Test?

If you have any of these symptoms, you may be experiencing poor gut health:

• Autoimmune Conditions (Celiac, etc.)
• Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis)
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Mood or neurological disorders, like anxiety and depression
• Skin issues
• SIBO
• Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea and GERD
• Fatigue
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Food sensitivities
• Inflammation
• Unexplained changes in weight

If you’ve been struggling with any (or many) of these, we recommend testing.

The Test Process

First, we will order the Gut Zoomer test for you. Once it arrives, you will scan a QR code to activate the kit. You will then need to collect a stool sample at home, using the equipment provided in the kit. Once you have collected the sample, you’ll need to ship it immediately. Results will be available in 2-3 weeks.

What does the Gut Zoomer Measure?

The Gut Zoomer test is a highly accurate, science-backed test. It tests for over 300 microorganisms and markers, including:

• Bacteria
• Yeast 
• Viruses
• Fungi, and
• Parasites
• Antibiotic resistant genes
• Inflammatory markers
• Ability to digest and absorb nutrients

From there, you will receive an analysis of these microorganisms and markers compared to ideal levels. 

Going Over Your Results

We will go over your results with you. These results include personalized recommendations for supplements that may be beneficial, as well as nutrition and lifestyle changes to make.

Test, Don’t Guess

Our motto is test, don’t guess. In the long run, it’s less expensive and more efficient to test for the root cause, rather than spending lots of money guessing which supplements to take without much of a result. Many of our clients have spent years dealing with symptoms without much relief. This test allows us to look under the hood and pinpoint what’s going on so you can start healing. 

Want to learn more? We’re here to help you start feeling better. Reach out today to schedule a free session!