Signs and symptoms of poor gut health: What your body might be trying to tell you

Your gut is more than just a digestive system - it’s a complex ecosystem that plays a vital role in your overall wellbeing. Often called the “second brain,” your gut communicates constantly with the rest of your body, and when things go wrong, it can show up in surprising ways.

Understanding the signs and symptoms of poor gut health can be the first step in restoring balance, reducing discomfort, and supporting your body from the inside out.

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What is gut health, really?

Gut health refers to the balance and function of the many microorganisms, also known as the gut microbiome, that live in your digestive tract. These bacteria, fungi and other microbes help digest food, absorb nutrients and regulate your immune system. They can even influence your mood and brain function.

When this balance is disrupted, a range of symptoms can occur, not just in your digestive system, but throughout the whole body.

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Common signs and symptoms of poor gut health

Your gut often sends signals when something’s off. Recognising these early warning signs can be the key to restoring balance and feeling your best.

Digestive issues

The most obvious signs of bad gut health are digestive symptoms like:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Reflux or heartburn
• Irregular bowel movements.

These symptoms suggest your gut might be struggling to digest or absorb nutrients properly, or that inflammation or microbial imbalance is at play.

Fatigue and low energy

A disrupted digestive system can hinder your body’s ability to absorb key nutrients like iron, magnesium and B vitamins, all of which are vital for energy production. Over time, poor gut health can also disrupt your sleep quality and hormone regulation, compounding that tired, foggy feeling.

Skin problems

Your gut and your skin are closely linked. Skin conditions like eczema, acne and rosacea may flare up when your gut health is poor.

Mood disturbances

There’s a strong connection between gut health and mental wellbeing. An imbalanced gut microbiome may contribute to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Brain fog
• Irritability.
  

Frequent illness

Around 70% of your immune cells reside in your gut. If you’re constantly picking up infections or struggling to recover, it could be a sign your gut isn’t supporting immune function as it should.

Unexplained weight gain or loss

Changes in weight without diet or lifestyle adjustments may be due to inflammation, hormonal imbalances, or issues with nutrient absorption - all of which can stem from gut dysfunction.

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What causes poor gut health?

Several things may worsen your gut health, including:

• Poor diet: Highly processed foods, excess sugar, and a high carbohydrate diet can put your gut into dysbiosis. 
• Stress: Chronic stress alters gut motility and can lead to inflammation or bacterial imbalance.
• Antibiotic overuse: Antibiotics wipe out the good bacteria along with the bad.
• Lack of sleep: Poor sleep disrupts gut-brain signalling and immune responses.
• Alcohol or smoking: Both can harm the gut lining and alter microbial diversity.

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Can poor gut health be fixed?

Yes - and the first step is awareness.

Some strategies to start supporting your gut include:

• Eating a diet rich in plant-based fibre, fermented foods and wholefoods.
• Reducing or eliminating ultra-processed foods and added sugars.
• Managing stress with movement, meditation, or breathwork.
• Seeking personalised guidance, especially if symptoms are chronic or complex.

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How can we help?

Your gut health affects so much more than just digestion - it’s the foundation of how you feel, think, move, and thrive. If you're noticing bad gut health symptoms like bloating, fatigue, or skin flare-ups, your body may be signalling that it’s time to investigate further.

At Botaniqal Clinic, we take a holistic, evidence-based approach to supporting gut health. If you're struggling with persistent gut symptoms, mental health issues or low energy, our team is here to help guide your next step.

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📅 Schedule a gut health consultation.

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Disclaimer

All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.  

References

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• Healthdirect, Gut health, https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gut-health, [Accessed 12 January 2026]
  
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, The complex interplay of diet and the gut microbiome influences human health, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/news/archive/2023/complex-interplay-diet-gut-microbiome-influences-human-health, [Accessed 12 January 2026]
  
• Eczema Association Australia, Gut health and eczema, https://eczema.org.au/gut-health-and-eczema/, [Accessed 12 January 2026]
  
• Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, Acne and digestive health, https://cdhf.ca/en/acne-and-digestive-health/, [Accessed 12 January 2026]
  
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• Xiong RG, Li J, Cheng J, Zhou DD, Wu SX, Huang SY, Saimaiti A, Yang ZJ, Gan RY, Li HB. The Role of Gut Microbiota in Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Disorders as Well as the Protective Effects of Dietary Components. Nutrients. 2023 Jul 23;15(14):3258. doi: 10.3390/nu15143258. PMID: 37513676; PMCID: PMC10384867. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10384867/, [Accessed 12 January 2026]
  
• Wiertsema SP, van Bergenhenegouwen J, Garssen J, Knippels LMJ. The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 9;13(3):886. doi: 10.3390/nu13030886. PMID: 33803407; PMCID: PMC8001875 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8001875/, [Accessed 12 January 2026]
  
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