What is your gut type?
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The gut is a home for microbiota. Microbiota is the group of microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and viruses.
These microorganisms take care of digestion, breaking down the molecules of the food, absorbing energy and nutrients from the food. If these microorganisms work in harmony then your whole body tends to be within balance as well. The bacterial imbalance however can lead to health problems in the rest of your body. The bacterial imbalance most often happens due to poor diet, stress, food sensitivities, certain medication, lack of sleep, travelling and excessive alcohol intake.
Did you know there are 5 different types of the gut?
Most people recognise the symptoms of their unhealthy gut, however, fewer know exactly how to approach the problem and how to qualify their gut type in order to apply appropriate solutions. There are 5 gut types, each manifesting with different symptoms.
Digestive gut
The digestive gut is the gut with very straightforward unbalances that are evident within digestion. Constipation, bloating, loose or hard stools, nausea, IBS, SIBO or gastritis. These problems usually occur due to low digestive enzyme production, gallbladder issues, improper chewing and low stomach acid and leaky gut.
Solution: This gut imbalance can be solved with just a few changes in your daily life. Eat a variety of foods with as many nutrients as possible. Do take time to eat, incorporate movement into your daily routine and get quality sleep. It is advisable to take some extra digestible enzymes or supplements to help with your digestion
Immune Gut
The immune gut will manifest with immune-related symptoms such as skin breakouts, autoimmune conditions, allergies, asthma, multiple food intolerances, sensitivities to the environment and frequent illness. This type is considered to be mostly genetically predisposition, however, some factors can affect it early in our lives. Receiving antibiotics as a child might have a reducing effect on the gut bacteria and the lack of bacteria in the gut can increase allergy susceptibility.
Solution: To improve your immune system it is best to eat a variety of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Any additional vitamins and immune boosters are also advised.
Toxic gut
The toxic gut is a tricky gut to deal with. The potential symptoms include mast-cell activation syndrome, sensitivity to certain chemicals, foods or even smells, mould illness, Lyme disease, vertigo and viral and bacterial infections. It is common that individuals who have a toxic gut feel like they have tried everything and nothing is helping. The main problem usually lies in difficulty moderating pathogens and oxidative stress. That can lead to high levels of inflammation.
Solution: In this case, it would be beneficial to take some natural supplements that help with oxidative stress.
Hormonal and metabolic gut
Hormones are closely connected to the gut as well, their connection is bidirectional, therefore, when the bacteria in your gut is imbalanced, the same will happen in your hormones and vice versa. The hormonal and metabolic gut is therefore known by symptoms such as endometriosis, PCOS, PMS, irregular cycles, insomnia, a thyroid condition, unwanted weight gain, fatigue, and blood sugar issues.
Solution: Important hormones that you need to pay attention to are sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone), sleep (melatonin), thyroid and stress (cortisol) hormones. To keep these hormones balanced you should get enough sleep, incorporate some relaxation practices in your daily life and additionally take some natural supplement and vitamins that can help as well.
Brain gut
Stress has a large impact on your gut health. The brain gut presents the disruption in the brain–gut connection. The gut is directly linked to your brain and central nervous system. Like hormones, the brain is also connected to the gut with a bidirectional connection. The more stress you feel, the more unhealthy and imbalanced your gut will be and vice versa. Symptoms include constipation, bloating, gastroparesis, IBS, nausea, loose stools. Additionally to physical symptoms, there are also mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, headaches or migraines, ADD/ADHD, or mental sluggishness.
Solution: This imbalance is best solved with a change in lifestyle and the use of natural supplements. Both work on the gut and indirectly improve the state of the brain as well.
