If you’ve been following us, you know by now that the gut is an essential part of overall health (to catch up, read more about the microbiome).

If you’re one of the 60 million Americans experiencing major digestive issues on the reg, you are probably well-aware of how your microbiome plays a big role. But if you have relatively normal digestion, how do you know if things aren’t optimal down there?

Here are 7 signs that your gut might be off track.

1) You're bloated a lot.
If bloating is persistent and not just related to your menstrual cycle, it could be a sign that your gut is off track. Without the right balance of microbes in your gut, some of the foods you eat go undigested, ferment, and create gassy byproducts – you feel this as a “brick in your stomach” or serious bloating. If this happens to you regularly, studies have shown that the gut is a good place to start your healing journey.

2) Your poops aren’t daily.
Let's face it – nobody likes to talk about their bathroom habits, but it’s important when it comes to gut health. Research has shown that anything other than a daily trip to the bathroom is a sign that things aren’t optimal and that an unhealthy gut will lead to irregular bowel movements. How often you go is a clear barometer for your microbiome health (to learn more, read our blog on poop here.)

3) You're experiencing unexplained weight gain.
Sure, you're eating healthy and exercising regularly - but the number on the scale keeps creeping up! If this is you, it could be a sign that your gut isn't processing food properly. A study has found that an unhealthy gut can lead to unexplained weight gain.

4) You're tired all the time.
Feeling tired all the time (even if you’re getting enough sleep) is a common complaint, and it could be a sign that your gut is off track. Your microbiome plays a role in both absorbing nutrients properly and managing your energy levels – so it can be a double threat to your drive if things aren’t optimal. Studies have found that an unhealthy gut can lead to nutrient deficiencies and fatigue.

5) Your skin is always breaking out.
Acne is a common problem, but if you're experiencing persistent breakouts, it could be a sign that your gut microbiome is off balance. Research has shown that an unhealthy gut microbiome can lead to skin issues, including acne.

6) You’re sick a lot.
The gut plays a vital role in supporting the immune system. If your gut is off track, it WILL weaken your ability to fight infections, making you susceptible to getting sick more frequently.

7) You’re moodier than usual.
Your mood is directly linked to your microbiome and plenty of research has confirmed that our happiness (or lack thereof) is more connected to our gut health than we previously realized. If you’re feeling blue out of the blue, this could be a sign that your gut is off track.

Now you might be thinking you have some work to do in the microbiome department. Here are some great ways to start your healing journey:

1. Eat lots of fruits + veggies with fiber
2. Eat fermented foods often
3. Supplement with high quality prebiotics + probiotics
4. Use antibiotics only when necessary
5. Avoid excess alcohol

If you’re still experiencing issues after trying the tips above, consider seeing a gut health professional or doing a microbiome stool test. It’s amazing that we have SO many options available to us at the click of a button, so not only are you not alone, there are tools and resources at your fingertips!

To sum it up, our gut health is no laughing matter. If you're experiencing any of these signs - bloating, infrequent poops, fatigue, skin issues, chronic sickness, or moodiness - it's important to take a closer look at what's going on with your gut. It’s not always difficult to make changes that support a healthy microbiome, so relief could be as simple as a swig of kombucha (a day) to keep the gut issues away. :)

Today's blog is written by our very own Daina Trout, MS, MPH

Daina is not just our Co-Founder, she is also a nutritionist that has spent her adult life dedicated to finding and sharing health and wellness through food. With 2 masters' degrees in nutritional biochemistry and public health, Daina has called upon her education often while leading the way at Health-Ade - from how we make every batch of kombucha, to how we talk about gut health to consumers, to even how healthy our employee workplace is! She even writes a few blogs here and there. Happy reading! :)