Your gut is connected to your skin, mood, hormones, and immune health

When we think about gut health, bloating usually gets all the attention. But your gut does much more than digest food. It affects nearly every system in the body. A healthy gut supports your immune system, hormones, mental clarity, and even your skin. It’s where 70% of your immune cells live and where most of your serotonin (your feel-good neurotransmitter) is made.

If your gut is struggling, you might notice symptoms beyond digestion:

● Skin flare-ups like acne, eczema, or rashes
● Brain fog, anxiety, or low mood
● Constant food cravings or energy crashes
● Irregular periods or hormonal imbalances
● Low immunity or frequent illness

Even subtle issues like fatigue after meals, bloating at the end of the day, or trouble focusing can be signs that your gut needs attention. Inflammation in the gut can trigger a cascade of imbalances that go far beyond the digestive system. That’s why it’s so important to address it gently and consistently. Not with restriction, but with nourishment and nervous system support.

Ways to support your gut daily:

1. Eat 20–30 diverse plant foods each week
   This helps feed good bacteria and strengthen your microbiome.
2. Include fermented foods
   Yogurt, kimchi, kefir, or sauerkraut offer natural probiotics.
3. Chew slowly and eat in a calm state
   Digestion starts in the mouth and depends on a relaxed, safe environment
4. Avoid over-sanitising and over-restricting
   A balanced gut needs exposure, nourishment, and variety—not fear-based elimination.
5. Reduce processed foods and refined sugar
   They can feed unhelpful bacteria and contribute to leaky gut.

Your Gut Talks Long Before It Yells

You don’t have to wait for bloating, pain, or intense symptoms to begin supporting your gut. Tiny shifts like more plant diversity, chewing slowly, and eating without distractions can send signals of safety to your entire system. Your gut is like a garden. With the right soil and rhythm, it grows strength that touches everything else: your mood, your skin, your immunity, your energy. Don’t wait until things feel “off”. Support your gut now, and your whole body will thank you.

For grounded tips that go beyond the bloat, follow @balancedbymonica on Instagram.

Monica Uttamchandani is a certified Holistic Health Coach based in the Turks and Caicos Islands, supporting men and women in creating grounded, nourishing lives, one breath at a time. She also consults in person at The Elephant Rooms in Salt Mills, Providenciales.