Intestinal Bacteria Imbalance Leads to These 6 Problems
There’s a microbe community living in your intestine called intestinal flora, or intestinal bacteria. Although we often ignore its importance, it plays a big role in the digestive process as well as in the immune system.
In a healthy individual, this group of beneficial bacteria regulates the digestive pH. And, at the same time, it creates a protective barrier against infectious agents, which can cause illness in the body.
However, poor eating habits, taking antibiotics, and even stress can compromise it and cause an imbalance that could put your health at risk. As a result, this leads to a series of reactions that at first, may seem common, but after time this can become chronic problems that are difficult to treat.
For that reason, it’s imperative to know what this condition looks like when it becomes out of control. And, when necessary, how you can take timely measures to regain control. Keep reading to find out more!
What causes the imbalance of bacterias?
1. Digestive problems
Given that bacteria live and grow in the intestine, occasionally there are imbalances that cause negative reactions in the digestive system. This is because the damaging microorganisms grow out of proportion. Next, it affects the processes in charge of breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.
As a result, there’s an increase in the presence of acid juices and toxins. These can cause the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Gastritis
- Constipation
- Duodenal ulcers
- Gas and flatulence
- Burning in the stomach
- Distended abdomen
- Acid reflux
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
2. Cognitive problems
Even though many people aren’t aware of it, the intestine has a close link to brain activity. It’s for that reason imbalances can negatively affect cognitive functions.
The microbial flora takes part in the production of various important neurotransmitters. When the flora is out of balance, you may experience memory problems, anxiety, and other symptoms that affect the way you think.
3. Nutritional Deficiencies
The healthy bacteria which live in the intestine are fundamental for the body to correctly synthesize vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Once these are out of control, they become harmful, the digestive process breaks down and they reduce the body’s ability to optimally absorb nutrients.
Although in the beginning, it can be difficult to notice this because the body keeps reserves of nutrients. But as time goes by, there are a series of symptoms that indicate an important decrease in the bacteria.
Some of the most common deficiencies are:
- Vitamins D, K, B7, and B12
- Minerals: magnesium and calcium
4. Skin problems
Currently, there are many internal and external factors that relate to the appearance of skin problems. Among these, intestinal health has a close link, especially for its role in the purification and absorption of nutrients.
Having any of the following skin conditions may mean you have an intestinal bacteria imbalance:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
5. Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases are usually chronic and occur because the body attacks itself in its quest to fight against agents that it considers dangerous. This makes it difficult to detect and treat, mainly because the initial symptoms can be mistaken for more common issues.
Even though the origin is varied and should be analyzed by an expert, don’t dismiss the idea that it’s related to unwell intestines. This is because changes to the body’s bacteria can increase the level of inflammation in the tissues, and can worsen other symptoms.
A list of some of these autoimmune diseases is as follows:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Celiac disease
- Hashimoto Thyroid
- Crohn’s disease
Find out more: How to Prevent Arthritis in Your Hands: 5 Tips
6. Chronic stress, another possible consequence of an imbalance in intestinal bacteria
Stress is an emotional imbalance that tends to be connected to many internal and external factors.
Although it’s inevitable in some situations, it also can occur as a reaction to imbalances in intestinal bacteria.
In these cases the body produces higher levels of cortisol, adding to the toxins, and affecting the production of hormones related to well-being.
Experiencing symptoms of chronic and recurring stress, even when taking measures to control it, is a strong sign of poor intestinal health.
Identifying which of these problems is a good enough reason to improve your lifestyle habits that help to promote intestinal health.
Adopting a good diet and avoiding constant exposure to toxins are some of the simple measures to take in order to avoid imbalances. Of course, if these symptoms continue, visiting a doctor is always the best course of action to take.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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- Shanab, A. A., Quera, R. M., & Quigley, E. M. M. (2012). Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. In Textbook of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology: Second Edition. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118321386.ch42
- Geuking, M. B., Cahenzli, J., Lawson, M. A. E., Ng, D. C. K., Slack, E., Hapfelmeier, S., … Macpherson, A. J. (2011). Intestinal Bacterial Colonization Induces Mutualistic Regulatory T Cell Responses. Immunity. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2011.03.021
