Improving your gut health

The human body contains trillions of microorganisms – outnumbering your own human cells 10 to 1, according to the Human Microbiome Project organized by the National Institutes of Health. The other 90% are microorganisms, like bacteria, many living in your gut. With trillions of microorganisms working to break down your food and discard waste, your gut microbiome plays a huge role in your overall health.

Signs and symptoms

A healthy body needs a healthy gut. What you eat and drink impacts the microbiome living inside of you.

“In the Midwest we eat a lot of red meat and don’t get enough fiber,” said Angela Schmitz, ARNP, at MercyOne Waterloo Gastroenterology Care. “Diets high in red meat and carbohydrates make you more susceptible to constipation.”

Your stool and bowel patterns are a key indicator of your gut health. Schmitz recommends using the Bristol Scale to help classify your stool.

“Some people believe it is normal to not have a bowel movement for a week and it’s not,” said Schmitz. “You should have a bowel movement every day or every other day.”

To help bowel movements, you’ve probably heard probiotics can balance your gut. A probiotic assists your gut health by restoring bacteria needed in your gut. There are many types of food that are natural probiotics. Symptoms of an imbalanced gut to look out for include:

• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Feeling lethargic
• Change in bowel patterns
• Weight loss
• Blood in stool

If you experience blood in your stool and/or sharp abdominal pain, you should schedule a visit with your provider or find a doctor.

Prevention

One of the best things you can do to monitor your gut health is receive your colonoscopy when it’s time. Regular screening guidelines recommend beginning colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for the average person. If you have a history of colorectal cancer in your family, it is recommended to begin screening earlier. Read more about what you need to know about colorectal cancer.

Here are some things you can do to improve your gut health and keep your digestive tract moving:

• Drink lots of water, especially if taking a fiber supplement
• Limit red meat to three times a week
• Maintain a well-balanced diet
• Exercise regularly
• Pay attention to your stool and bowel movements
• Take a probiotic

“If you are worried about having to find a bathroom in public and are unable to live your life to the fullest know that there is help out there,” said Schmitz.