What are the signs and symptoms of poor gut health?

From a CHEK Practitioner

What are the signs and symptoms of poor gut health?

Do you experience digestive issues, constipation, irregular bowel movements, bloating and gas? How about skin problems, joint pain or even lack of mental clarity? All are signs & symptoms of disruption in the digestive system. Disease is said to begin and end in the gut. Consistent stress on the gut can cause things such as food intolerances, leaky gut syndrome and fungal/parasite infections.

How does things such as food intolerances, leaky gut syndrome and fungal/parasite infections develop within the stomach?

Everyone has a unique gut microbiome, therefore it’s hard to distinguish one direct cause. However, most often these complications are a result from poor quality nutrition, more specifically the poor-quality foods and liquids you consume on a regular day to day basis. These poor nutrient density foods/liquids may include:
Processed sugar
Processed dairy
Vegetable / seed oils
Processed grains
Packet foods
Caffeine “poor quality” or “too much”

Why is gut health so important in its relationship with muscles, joints, organs/glands, mind, emotions etc?

Food is more than just an object, it’s both energy and information. Depending on the quality of nutrition will depend on how much energy you have and what type of information is distributed throughout the body. If your nutrient intake is causing digestive stress, the information being provided to the body is destructive. The gut is giving you signs that we are under attack and will either need to fight (good bacteria vs bad bacteria), freeze (fatigue, constipation) or flee (eliminate, diarrhea). You can see how this relates back to your energy and how it interconnects with thoughts/mind/emotions. False interpretations and scenarios can start to be created in the head; FIGHT: Why is everyone against me? FREEZE: If I didn’t have to start work so early I wouldn’t so tired, FLEE: I need a holiday.
Organs and glands will always take higher priority over joints and muscles, you can survive without an arm or leg, you can’t survive without your liver or adrenal glands. Over time our glands that produce essential hormones for the body can become over/under stimulated. This then causes the muscle that shares the same nerve connection as the gland/organ to become inhibited/under active. Hence why you may not be able to overcome injury by “training it out” because if we don’t go “with-in” we go “with-out”. Identify the cause instead of blaming the symptom is priority.

What are 3 things you can start doing to improve your gut health?

Consult with your GP. Get clear on any major red flags. Identity which health care professional is going to be best suited to your needs (nutritionist, physiotherapist, naturopath, personal trainer)

Eat as many whole foods as you can. Each meal must contain (protein, fat and carbohydrates). Keep a food diary to track for food intolerances etc. Drink 0.033 x Bodyweight = Litres of water per day.

Get as best sleep as you can. Create a bed time routine. Keep sleep/wake cycles consistent. Aim for 7-8hrs each night.

Jordan Moffitt – CHEK Practitioner