What is gut dysbiosis? How to heal your gut

Key Points

• Gut dysbiosis is a generic term used to describe digestive issues.
• Dysbiosis can be treated and managed through a combination of lifestyle and medical interventions.
• A dietitian is an excellent partner to help treat and recover from gut dysbiosis.

If you’ve looked into gut health, you may have come across the term “gut dysbiosis.” Dysbiosis is often mentioned in relation to symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. But what exactly is gut dysbiosis, and how can you heal from it??

If you're looking for relief from unexplained gut health issues, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into what gut dysbiosis is and how you can heal your gut.

What is gut dysbiosis?

Gut dysbiosis is a general term for an imbalance in the gut microbiome caused by a disruption in its microorganisms. The gut microbiome is made up of a diversity of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. When one starts to take over and this diversity decreases, that’s when dysbiosis occurs.

Gut dysbiosis affects how your gut functions, impacting digestion, nutrient absorption, and toxin elimination. As such, you can experience gas, bloating, unusual bowel movements, diarrhea, and more from dysbiosis.

What are the risks of gut dysbiosis?

A lack of bacterial diversity can weaken your gut’s defenses and make you more prone to infections. Dysbiosis can lead to more serious issues, such as:

• Bacterial infections like H. pylori and C. diff
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn’s disease
• Generic digestive issues like gas, bloating, or constipation

Because your gut is directly linked to nearly all other systems in your body, dysbiosis can also affect your immune, endocrine, and nervous systems. That’s right: low mood can be caused by an unhealthy gut. That’s because your gut is linked to your brain via the gut-brain axis, and it’s believed that gut disruption can lead to mood and other mental disturbances.

Gut imbalances may also contribute to issues such as:

• Food intolerances
• Malnutrition
• Chronic fatigue
• Chronic inflammation
• Metabolic syndrome
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

If you’re struggling with any of these and haven’t been able to find relief or figure out the root cause, working with a dietitian can help. Your registered dietitian (RDN) will collaborate with you to understand your symptoms, identify potential causes, and test solutions.

Find a gut health dietitian covered by your insurance today.

What causes gut dysbiosis?

Gut dysbiosis can have multiple causes, including:

• Antibiotics and other medications that alter the gut microbiome
• Environmental toxins
• Physical and physiological stress
• Unbalanced diets or poor food choices
• Undiagnosed food intolerances or allergies
• Chronic inflammation
• Smoking
• Alcohol use
• Chronic disease

You can work with both a registered dietitian and gastroenterologist to find the root cause of your dysbiosis. Due to the multi-factorial nature of dysbiosis, however, you may not figure out what exactly caused the imbalance. But through testing and treatment, you can find a solution that works for you.

Since dysbiosis is more of an umbrella diagnosis, it is common to have some trial-and-error in the diagnosis process. You may try different diets, medications, and treatments to see what brings the most relief. While this process may take time, with patience and persistence, you will find a solution.

Start working with a qualified gut dietitian today with Fay.

How to heal from gut dysbiosis

As mentioned, resolving gut dysbiosis can be a multi-step process. But these guidelines are always a good place to start:

• Eat whole foods. Focusing on whole foods instead of processed options is a great way to jump-start your gut-healing journey. Cooking for yourself is the best way to control what goes into your meals. Additionally, you can test different ways of preparing food or removing certain food groups to see how your body responds.
• Minimize processed foods. Processed foods can wreak havoc on your gut because they are difficult to digest and can promote inflammation. If you struggle without quick food options, work with your dietitian to brainstorm quick meal and snack ideas that you can keep on hand to avoid reaching for pre-packaged foods.
• Take it easy on your digestion. Did you know raw vegetables are more difficult to digest than cooked vegetables? They contain more fiber and take more effort to break down. To ease the burden on your digestive system, try eating cooked vegetables and fruits rather than raw ones. An easier guideline is: the softer the food, the easier it is to digest. Soups and smoothies can be particularly soothing. Aim to reduce the number of overall ingredients consumed at each meal as well. This means focusing on just a few fruits or vegetables at a time instead of a large assortment.
• Remove gas-producing foods. Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage can cause gas because of their high fermentable fiber content. Zero-calorie sweeteners and artificial foods are also difficult to digest. As such, minimizing your consumption may help your symptoms. If your symptoms don’t improve, you can try a more formal protocol, such as the low FODMAP diet. Your dietitian can tell you what’s right for you.,
• Consider trying probiotics. Probiotic supplements are often recommended for gut health because they support bacterial balance. They can help rebalance your microbiome and make it more resilient.

Treatment for dysbiosis

If you can’t find relief from changing how you eat, your gastroenterologist will likely recommend testing for various bacteria and diseases that may be causing your gut imbalance. This could involve a breath test or samples from your blood, skin, or stool to check for imbalances or bacterial overgrowth.

Based on your test results, you may be prescribed antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals. While these can fix the overgrowth or imbalance in your gut, they can also kill the “good” bacteria too. As such, you may need to supplement with additional probiotics or other gut-healthy habits to counteract the effects.

Best foods for gut health

If you're trying to improve gut health and GI symptoms, these foods can help:

• Fruits and vegetables: Produce is rich in fiber, an essential nutrient for gut bacteria. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables helps ensure you consume a diverse range of micronutrients.
• Healthy fats: Foods rich in omega-3s and polyphenols like olive oil and salmon can support your gut microbiome and support healthy microbiota.
• Probiotic foods: Probiotics exist in foods as well as in pill form. Fermented foods like kimchi, yogurt, kefir, miso, kombucha, sauerkraut, and sourdough contain probiotics.
• Prebiotic foods: Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Leeks, onions, raspberries, and beans all contain prebiotics.
• Garlic is a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent, which can help balance your gut bacteria. It also contains prebiotics.

Get personalized guidance for your gut health

Ready to restore balance to your gut and find relief from frustrating or painful digestive symptoms?

Fay’s gut health dietitians are ready to provide personalized support to help you heal your gut. Your dietitian will conduct a thorough intake to understand your eating habits and learn more about what you’ve already tried to improve your symptoms. They can also work directly with your gastroenterologist to ensure comprehensive care. They can break down complicated concepts to empower you with actionable knowledge without overwhelming you.

Best of all? All Fay dietitians work with health insurance, making gut health care much more accessible. You could pay as little as $0 per session.

Get started with a gut health dietitian today with Fay.

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.