If gut health is on your mind, you’re not alone. Nearly 47% of adults in the United States are prioritizing digestive health benefits, according to Brightfield Group’s Wellness Consumer Insights study. On top of that, #GutTok has racked up more than 999 million views on TikTok of influencers sharing personal stories about products that helped them heal their gut.
But how do you know if your gut needs nourishing and do these products make a difference? Here’s expert advice on the gut health trend.
Symptoms of an unhealthy gut
If you’re looking under a lens, an unhealthy gut has less microbial diversity than a healthy gut. When you have an unhealthy gut, the harmony between the beneficial and harmful bacteria is off, promoting a cascade of biological events that can put your health at risk.
For instance, a 2017 review found that gut imbalances and inflammation may promote anxiety and depression. Physical and neurological health issues, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune conditions and degenerative brain disorders, may also be initiated or promoted by gut imbalances.
That’s the broader picture, but many people consider gut health to be the absence of GI problems, like bloating, gassiness and cramps. So while occasional bloating and the like aren’t a big deal, when GI problems are persistent or painful, it’s helpful to see a doctor to evaluate your symptoms as they may indicate a GI condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, colitis or celiac disease.
For a quick and dirty gut health check, registered dietitian Amanda Sauceda says to peek at your poop. “You want it well-formed, brown and easy to pass,” she explains. “A good rule of thumb is not going more than three days without pooping or going more than three times in one day,” she adds.
Do trendy gut health supplements work?
Here are some of the trendiest supplements for gut health. However, note that if your gut problems produce enough discomfort that you’re…
Read the full article here
