Your gut health impacts far more than digestion and regularity. From energy levels and sleep quality to mood and cognitive function, the gut is the foundation for optimal wellness.
Our founder, Kristin Hirano, MS, RD, CN, CD, always says:
All Health BEGINS In The Gut!
In Part One of this series, we explored four key signs that your gut needs extra attention. This time, we’re going even further with four additional clues that signal it’s time to prioritize your gut health. Recognizing these signs and addressing them can lead to transformative changes in how you feel every day.
Frequent Illnesses or Allergies
Do you feel like you’re always fighting the flu, dealing with constant sniffles or tummy troubles? A struggling immune system is likely to trace back to your gut. More than 70% of the immune system resides in the gut—meaning poor gut health can leave you more susceptible to frequent illnesses or heightened allergic reactions.
💪 Strengthening your gut microbiome helps to
fortify your defenses and support a balanced immune response.
Gut Healthy Pro Tip: Try adding fermented foods like plain Greek yogurt, kimchi, kombucha, and/or kefir into your meal plan. These foods introduce beneficial bacteria to your gut’s ecosystem. During this time, be sure to include plenty of prebiotics, like just better.® prebiotic fiber, to set the stage for these good bacteria to thrive! (Stir two scoops of just better.® into yogurt for a fiber-rich upgrade!)
Mood Swings or Brain Fog
Feeling the effects of frequent mood swings or struggling to stay focused? The gut-brain connection is very real. Your gut produces neurotransmitters like serotonin, which are vital in regulating mood and cognitive function.
When your gut is out of balance, you may experience
mood swings, irritability, or brain fog.
Gut Healthy Pro Tip: Opt for foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds. These foods are known to support gut and brain health. Reaching high-fiber goals can further stabilize blood sugar levels, reducing mood-related spikes and crashes.
Fatigue
Dragging throughout the day? Chronic fatigue has been linked to an imbalanced gut. When your gut is unhealthy, it can impair nutrient absorption and disrupt the production of key hormones that regulate energy levels. This can leave you feeling drained and low on stamina.
Gut Healthy Pro Tip: Start your day with a nutrient-dense smoothie that includes leafy greens, a banana for potassium, and two healthy scoops of just better.® prebiotic fiber for sustained energy and a balanced gut.
Poor Sleep Quality
Struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep? Your gut health might be at play. The gut is intricately linked to sleep quality through the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating your sleep-wake cycle. When your gut cannot do its job, you will notice a pattern of restless nights or poor sleep quality.
Gut Healthy Pro Tip: Prioritize sleep-friendly foods like almonds, oats, and tart cherries, known to support melatonin production naturally.
Upgrade your evening routine by adding just better.® prebiotic fiber to your favorite calming tea or a hot cup of broth. This practice not only nurtures your gut microbiome but also helps stabilize blood sugar levels overnight. By reducing sudden blood sugar dips that lead to restlessness, this self-care habit promotes deeper, uninterrupted, high-quality sleep. 😴
Taking the Next Steps for Your Gut Health
If you recognize any of these clues in your own life, it’s time to take action! Here are four things you can do TODAY to start your gut-healing journey.
Reach Hydration Goals: Staying hydrated supports digestion and helps maintain the balance of gut bacteria. Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water daily to keep everything moving smoothly and prevent digestive discomfort.
Get 30+ Grams of Fiber Every Day: Adults should aim for 30+ grams of fiber daily to nourish your gut microbiome and improve digestion. Fiber also helps regulate blood sugar levels, improves cardiovascular health, and supports long-term microbiome support.
Include MORE Whole, Fresh, Unprocessed Foods: Whole foods provide essential nutrients and minimize exposure to additives that disrupt the gut’s delicate balance. Focus on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats for optimal gut support.
Practice Stress Management: Chronic stress negatively impacts gut health by altering the gut-brain connection. Practice stress-relief techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, dance, hiking, or yoga to maintain a healthy gut-brain connection.
Conclusion
Your gut is pivotal to how you feel physically, emotionally, and mentally. The good news? Small, consistent improvements will make a BIG difference in your daily life.
Remember, gut health isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. Start where you are, make thoughtful changes, and be consistent. just better.® prebiotic fiber is here to help you achieve your gut health goals one scoop at a time!
Live… just better.®!
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