How gutsy are you?
Your digestive system and the hundreds of trillions of microbes that live in it do a lot more than extract nutrients. Both are intertwined with the functioning of your immune system, liver health, cognition, emotions, glucose regulation, hormones, and your gut-based enteric nervous system and central nervous system.
Keeping your microbe mix in balance lets the gastro-system prevent bad actors from exiting the gut through your intestinal walls and damaging your body, head to toe.
It takes a healthy plant-based diet, avoiding excess alcohol, getting plenty of physical activity and good sleep habits to accomplish all that. Stress management is vital, too. Chronic stress helps trouble-making proteins and peptides escape your intestines and move into your blood, circulating throughout your body and causing problems.
So how do you know if your gut is out of balance? Bloating, constipation and diarrhea aren't the only signs. Fatigue, sugar cravings and food addiction, weight gain, memory problems, mood swings, and skin conditions like rosacea and psoriasis can be clues.
If you're contending with any of those symptoms, in addition to getting good medical care, take charge of upgrading your gut health. In "What to Eat When," I explain exactly which foods optimize your gut health. And if you're contending with multiple symptoms of gut imbalance, in addition to amping up your intake of fibrous and fermented foods, vegetables, and healthy fats, explore whole-body rejuvenation using therapeutic plasma exchange, which rids your body of those misbehaving proteins and peptides.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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