You may not think about your gut much — until it starts acting up. But did you know your gut does more than just digest food? It plays a big role in your mood, immune system, energy levels, and even your skin health.
When your gut is out of balance, it sends signals. Some of those signals might seem totally unrelated to digestion. In this blog, we’ll go through 5 weird signs that your gut may be unhealthy — and what you can do to fix it.
First Things First: What Is Gut Health?
There are trillions of bacteria, fungi, etc., teeming with life in your large intestine. Together, they make up what’s called the gut microbiome. When the good bacteria outnumber the bad, everything runs smoothly. However, the imbalances emerging out of a poor diet, stress, antibiotics, and diseases would bring about gut dysbiosis in the sense that the gut bacteria would be thrown out of balance.
“When we have a good, healthy microbiome, we feel good and well.” – Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, gut health researcher and author of Fiber Fueled.
1. You’re Always Tired, Even After a Good Sleep
Feeling tired all the time? It might not be your schedule — it could be your gut.
A person having bad gut feels will make situations worse seriously which affects how well your cells create energy. If your gut is struggling, your body may not absorb nutrients properly either — especially B vitamins and iron, which are both important for energy.
“People suffering from chronic fatigue are often found to suffer from gut imbalances such as fewer good and beneficial bacteria, while inflammatory ones are increased”, according to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry. Some of the signs to look for: waking up feeling fatigued after eight or more hours of sleep.
- Needing naps or caffeine just to get through the day
- Brain fog or poor focus
2. You Get Sick More Often Than Others
If you feel like you catch every cold going around, your gut may be part of the problem. About 70% of your immune system lives in your gut, according to the Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology. A healthy gut helps fight off viruses and bacteria. But when it’s unbalanced, your immune system may be weaker — or even overreact and cause allergies or autoimmune issues. Dr. Emeran Mayer, a gastroenterologist and author of The Mind-Gut Connection, explains: “Your gut and immune system talk to each other all the time. A healthy gut keeps your immune system calm and alert.” Signs to look for:- Frequent colds or infections
- Food sensitivities
- Autoimmune flare-ups
3. Your Mood Swings Are All Over the
Feeling anxious, depressed, or just “off”? Your gut might be affecting your brain. There’s something called the gut-brain connection — your gut and brain are linked by the vagus nerve, a kind of “communication highway” between the two. In fact, your gut makes about 90% of your body’s serotonin — the “feel-good” hormone. Shun an unhealthy gut; in that case, the well-being is disturbed with regard to mood, stress, or even sleep. According to Dr. Uma Naidoo, who specializes in nutritional psychiatry, “Your mental health starts in your gut. What you eat directly affects how you feel.” Clues your gut could be implicated:- Mood swings
- Anxiety attacks or panic attacks
- Feeling blue for no reason
4. You Have Bad Breath (Even with Good Oral Hygiene)
Brushing and flossing daily but still have bad breath? That smell might not be coming from your mouth — it could be coming from your gut.
When your gut bacteria are out of balance, certain bad bacteria can grow too much. These bacteria release gases that can rise up into your mouth and cause chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis.
Journal of Medical Microbiology research suggests a connection between gust dysbiosis and halitosis resulting in sulfur-containing gase. One may observe bad breath that does not improve after tooth brushing along with imperceptible bloating or gas; a white-with-some-yellow-colored tongue.
5. Your Skin Is Breaking Out More Than Usual
Yes – your skin and gut too! This is called the gut-skin axis. It shows an inflamed gut on one’s skin in forms of:
- Acne
- Eczema
- Rosacea
- Psoriasis
Dr Whitney Bowe, dermatologist and advocate for the gut-skin health continuum says,
“In the gut inflammation can trigger inflammation in the skin. In fact clear skin starts on the inside out.”
If creams and treatments are not working, the problem is most likely deeper than your skin – in your gut.
How to Improve Your Gut Health
So, if you have none or some of the above signs, do not panic as there are very simple ways of supporting the gut.
1. Eat More Fiber
Fiber caters to the good bacteria in your gut. Prefer fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.
2. Cut Back on Sugar & Processed Foods
These feed the bad bacteria and can make gut problems worse.
3. Add Fermented Foods
Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso all contain probiotics (good bacteria).
4. Manage Stress
High stress affects gut function. Try deep breathing, walking, or journaling.
5. Take a Probiotic Supplement (if needed)
Talk to your doctor first — not all probiotics are the same.
Final Thoughts
Your gut is always talking to you — sometimes in ways that seem totally random. If you’re tired, moody, breaking out, or getting sick often, don’t ignore it. These could be weird but important signs that your gut needs help.
The good news is: with small changes to your diet and lifestyle, your gut can heal — and when your gut is happy, you’ll feel the difference everywhere.
Trusted Resources:
- Harvard Health Publishing – The gut-brain connection
- Johns Hopkins Medicine – The gut: Where bacteria and immune system meet
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Your digestive system & how it works
- Frontiers in Psychiatry – Altered gut microbiome in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome