5 signs your body is complaining about your poor gut health
Do you notice a strange white coating on your otherwise pink tongue? It could be your body's way of telling you about your poor gut health.
In Ayurveda, the term ‘Agni’ in Ayurveda refers to metabolic fire – the process of digesting food and producing metabolic byproducts. Agni transforms food into energy, which is in charge of all the essential body processes. An imbalanced agni typically means poor gut health where you can face innumerable problems. Low agni results in reduced appetite, fatigue, heaviness and lethargy. And there are other ways too in which your body can give you signs of poor gut health.
Here’s what can happen with imbalanced ‘agni’ or poor gut health
* Gas
* Constipation
* Dry skin
* Sciatica
* Insomnia
* Receding gums
* Muscle spasms
* Cramps
Watch these signs of poor gut health
Ayurveda expert Dr Rekha Radhamony recently shared some important ways for us to know the status of our gut health, via Instagram. Here’s what she suggests to look out for!
1. White coating on your tongue
According to Ayurveda, white tongue is a warning indication that your digestive system is overworked. When your tongue is heavily coated, it gives the impression of being white. Your digestive system cannot perform correctly if it is overworked. As a result, candida, yeast or bacteria, begins to accumulate.
2. Low appetite
Agni is strengthened by eating the right amount of food for each meal. It’s equally crucial to give our stomach time to digest one meal completely before moving on to the next. Therefore, neither eating more nor less is a good idea. Both may in some way result in an imbalanced agni.
3. Stomach problems
If you experience problems such as acidity, gas, bloating, reflux, heart burn, cramps, burps or flatulence frequently, it is too one of the signs of poor gut health
4. Often get constipation or loose motions or both!
Constipation or loose motions are very telling signs of poor gut health. It would be best to include a lot of high-fiber items in your diet. If you have constipation, include beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grain cereals, and bran. But for loose motions, it’s best to consume bananas, rice and apples. Since these foods are mild, they won’t upset the stomach. Additionally, they are binding foods, and thus, they aid in stool firmness. If you have any of these, don’t ignore it and start working on your gut health.
Tips to improve gut health
Eating right is very important to maintain gut health. Let’s follow some tips suggested by Ayurveda expert Dr Dixa Bhavsar Savaliya.
1. Only eat when you are actually hungry.
“Actually hungry” means eat after fully digesting your previous meal. Sometimes, we may mistakenly believe that we are hungry while in reality we may merely be dehydrated.
2. Eat in a serene and pleasant environment
When you eat, sit down and try to avoid any distractions such as a television, book, phone, or laptop.
3. Eat the appropriate amount
Each of us has unique demands, a distinct stomach size and a different metabolic rate. Eat only till you feel full.
4. Consume hot meals
While food should ideally be freshly prepared, if you stay away from any food coming straight from the refrigerator, your digestive system will remain healthy (Agni).
5. Eat at a consistent time
Be regular and punctual with your meal timings because nature appreciates cycles and uniformity.