Health experts have outlined seven signs which signal you may have poor gut health amid a rise cancer rates amongst young people.
Researchers have been left concerned after observing a jump in cases of people under 50 receiving a diagnosis of cancer.
According to a study by Cancer Research, cancer rates have jumped by 24% in young people between the years of 1990s and 2019 - which is leaving health experts worried.
One of the biggest concerns is the rise in Colon Cancer cases, with a study from Bowel Cancer UK suggesting the disease can be linked to negative changes in your gut microbiome.
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If you've been feeling unwell recently or just want to make yourself aware of the signs you may have an unhealthy gut? Here are the seven key things to look out for:
Gas and bloating
None of us are strangers to experiencing bloating after a heavy meal or a couple of beers as its an expected side effect of having a full stomach. However, should you be experiencing more experiencing excessive bloating this could be a sign that you have a poorly gut or potentially suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Rumbling in your abdomen and feeling extra gassy are also other signs something could be wrong.
A change in toilet habits
No two people will have the same bowel movements, with variations caused by a range of factors in your diet and lifestyle.
Dr Austin Chiang - TikTok star and author of Gut: An Owner's Guide - explained to The Sun the key thing to keep an eye on is any change to your usual bowel movements.
"Some people have three bowel movements a day, while others have three bowel movements a week," he said.
"[However] if there is a sudden change from what is typical for you, it is worth asking your doctor in case it needs to be looked into further."
Fatigue
The fast pace of day-to-day modern life has the best of us feeling tired, however, if you've been in a funk for a while and unable to shake the feeling it could be a sign that all is not well in your gut as there is a link between the gut and the brain.
Low mood
Continuing on the idea of the 'gut-brain axis' an unhealthy digestive system could also be causing you to be suffering from low moods or depression.
According to Harvard research, the gastrointestinal tract has long been sensitive to our emotions - meaning that looking after your mental well-being is key for your gut health.
Brittle, hair, skin and nails
Does your hair and skin often feel dry and damaged? Do your nails break often? These could be signs that your gut isn't functioning as it should be.
Our hair, skin and nails health is supported by the nutrients we absorb from our food, with a poorly gut less likely to maintain our body.
Becoming unwell often
Getting unwell throughout the year isn't something to worry about, however, picking up every single cough and cold going around is a sign or poor gut health.
According to dietician Lucy Kerrison the gut is in charge of '70 per cent of your immune system', meaning that a bad gut will leave you with a compromised immune system.
Broken bones
Similar to the broken nails and brittle hair, an unbalanced gut means you won't be able to absorb the adequate amount of calcium needed for your body - making you more susceptible to broken bones.
This is particularly concerning as it can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis - an illness which causes your bones to weaken.
Concerned about your gut health?
If you're concerned about keeping your gut healthy, there are plenty of changes you can make to look after your body.
Health experts recommend introducing high amounts of vegetables, plant based products and fibre into your diet in order to nurture your gut microbiome.
"Aim for 30 different plant-based products per week," Lucy advised, alongside introducing at least 30 grams of fibre into your daily meals.
Foods high in fibre consist of oats, beans, vegetables, nuts and granary breads.
Topics: Cancer, Health, Food And Drink, Lifestyle, Hair, Mental Health
Brenna Cooper