Struggling with Weight, Mood Swings, or Skin Issues? Start with Your Gut
- Wellness Team
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Your gut microbiome is a vast ecosystem made up of trillions of bacteria and other microbes that live in your digestive tract. These microscopic organisms play a vital role in your overall health — influencing your weight, mood, immune system, and even the condition of your skin. Like a unique bacterial fingerprint, no two microbiomes are the same. From the moment you're born, your microbiome begins to take shape, evolving based on your diet, environment, physical contact with others, and even your travel history.
The good news? Your gut is incredibly adaptable. When you improve your eating habits, you can shift the balance of bacteria in your gut and support better health from the inside out.
Unfortunately, most North Americans don’t eat nearly enough fiber — a key nutrient that supports gut diversity. To nourish your microbiome, aim for 20 to 30 servings of fruits and vegetables each week. The more variety, the better!
When supporting clients with weight loss, we often explain how diet directly influences gut bacteria. For example, a high-sugar diet feeds sugar-loving bacteria, which increases cravings. But if you eliminate sugar for just three weeks, those bacteria begin to die off — and so do the cravings.
Gut Microbiome and Weight
The composition of your gut bacteria affects how you digest food, store fat, and regulate hunger and fullness.
Imbalances in gut microbes (dysbiosis) are linked to weight gain and obesity, partly due to increased inflammation and altered energy metabolism.
Certain gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that help regulate metabolism and appetite, while others may promote low-grade inflammation, contributing to weight issues, joint pain and auto immune disease.
Gut Microbiome and Mood
The gut and brain communicate through the gut-brain axis, with gut microbes influencing neurotransmitter production and immune responses.
Dysbiosis can disrupt this signaling, potentially leading to mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
Consuming probiotics and prebiotics may help restore gut balance, supporting better mental health.
The majority of our happy hormone, Serotonin, is made in our gut
Gut Microbiome and Skin Health
The gut-skin axis describes how gut health impacts skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
Healthy gut bacteria produce SCFAs and other metabolites that reduce inflammation, which can benefit skin health.
Dysbiosis may trigger immune responses that manifest as skin flare-ups or chronic skin diseases.
Cleaning up your diet and avoiding food sensitivities might be the answer for your skin concerns.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Supporting Your Microbiome
Probiotics
These are live, beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt and kefir, as well as in supplement form.
They help restore and support a healthy gut microbiome, which can improve digestion, strengthen immunity, boost mood, and enhance skin health.
Choosing the right probiotic can be confusing, as different strains serve different purposes. Our registered nutritionists can guide you in selecting the best one for your needs. You can also choose to test your gut microbiome to receive a personalized report, including the exact strains your body may benefit from.
Prebiotics
Non-digestible fibers found in foods like garlic, onions, bananas, and whole grains.
Serve as food for probiotics, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
If you would like to take your health to the next level by testing your own microbiome and receiving a thorough report with a list of food sensitivities and foods you should include in your diet, you can get it now at a discount (limited time). Fee includes follow up online visit with one of our registered nutritionists to discuss your 15 page report with you. Your report will also include which type of probiotics you need (if any). Click HERE to get started today. Available anywhere in Canada. Additionally, if you found this information interesting, you might enjoy the Netflix documentary "Hack Your Health".
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