7 Signs Your Gut May Be Out of Balance

Ever feel “off” but can’t quite explain why? From mood swings to breakouts to bloating, your gut could be behind it all. In this post, we’re digging into the top 7 signs your gut may be out of balance—and what you can do about it.

Spoiler alert: you don’t need to suffer through it alone!

1. Digestive Discomfort

Frequent bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea can indicate that your gut is having a hard time processing food and eliminating waste. These symptoms suggest that the digestive system is not functioning optimally, often due to an imbalance in the gut microbiome.

Not sure if what your poop is telling you? Check our poop chart here.

2. Persistent Fatigue

Feeling tired more often than not? People with chronic fatigue may have imbalances in the gut. One study found that 60% of people with fatigue also had IBS. (source)

3. Mood Swings or Anxiety

The gut-brain connection means your gut can influence your mood. Research shows that gut health impacts your serotonin levels — a hormone that regulates your mood. Almost all (a whopping 95%) of your serotonin is made in your gut. Only 5% is made in your brain! (source)

What does that mean for your mental health? Unbalanced gut bacteria might lead to increased stress, mood swings, or even anxiety.

4. Food Cravings

Craving sugar or processed foods? An imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to increased cravings for unhealthy foods, which in turn can further disrupt gut health. It’s a vicious cycle!

5. Skin Issues

Conditions like eczema and acne have been linked to inflammation in the gut caused by food allergies, poor diet, and lack of good gut bacteria.

The bottom line: When your gut is unbalanced with more harmful bacteria than good bacteria, it can wreak havoc on your skin.

6. Frequent Illness or Weakened Immunity

Do you feel like you’re always coming down with something?! Your immune system is heavily reliant on a healthy gut. When your gut is imbalanced, your immune defenses can weaken, which makes you more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

Check out this blog for ways to naturally boost your immune system.

7. Brain Fog or Trouble Focusing

Brain fog — you know the telltale confusion, forgetfulness, and lack of focus — can be a symptom of an unhealthy gut. The gut-brain connection means that gut imbalances can directly affect cognitive function. Yikes!

What Can You Do?

If you’re noticing signs that your gut is out of whack—like bloating, fatigue, frequent illness, or even mood swings—don’t panic. It’s your body’s way of whispering, “Hey, I need a little love down here!” ❤️

Thankfully, there are gentle but powerful ways to support your gut and bring things back into balance.

Eat More Fiber🌾🌱

Fiber is oh-so-good for your gut—it feeds the good bacteria and keeps your digestive system moving along smoothly. Aim to fill half your plate with whole, colorful plant foods at every meal.

Think:

• Berries, apples (with the skin!), pears
• Leafy greens like kale and spinach
• Root veggies like sweet potatoes and carrots
• Seeds like chia and flax
• Legumes like lentils and chickpeas (soaked or sprouted are easiest to digest)

Try to get a mix of soluble (from oats, flax, and fruits) and insoluble (from veggies and whole grains) fiber for best results.

Pro tip: If you’re not used to eating lots of fiber, start slow and increase gradually to avoid extra gas and bloating.

Try Fermented Foods🥣

Fermented foods are nature’s probiotics—delicious, traditional foods packed with beneficial bacteria that help populate your gut.

Add in just a spoonful or two each day of:

• Sauerkraut (look for raw, refrigerated varieties)
• Kimchi
• Plain kefir or yogurt (grass-fed if you can swing it!)
• Miso or tempeh
• Kombucha (watch for added sugar)

You don’t need a ton. Just a little goes a long way to keeping those good bugs thriving!

Stay Hydrated💦

Staying hydrated helps fiber do its job, keeps things moving, and even supports the mucosal lining of your digestive tract (a key part of your gut barrier!).
Aim for half your body weight in ounces each day—and even more if you’re pregnant, nursing, or active.

Try adding a pinch of sea salt and a splash of lemon to your water for extra minerals and flavor!

Take a Women’s Probiotic 💊

Yes, real food is foundational—but sometimes your gut needs an extra boost. Especially after antibiotics, illness, travel, or big hormonal shifts (hello, postpartum!).

A high-quality women’s probiotic can help:

• Restore microbial balance
• Support vaginal and urinary health
• Improve digestion and regularity
• Boost immunity
• Even support mental wellness and skin clarity

Look for probiotics with strains that are well-studied and beneficial for women’s health, like:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus reuteri
• Bifidobacterium lactis

And be sure your probiotic is clean—free from gluten, soy, GMOs, and fillers—and survivable (meaning the strains make it through stomach acid!).

Pssst: Our Mama Natural Women’s Probiotic checks all these boxes and more. It’s shelf-stable, expertly formulated, and designed with you in mind.

Our Favorite Probiotic for Women

We created Mama Natural Women’s Probiotic because we were tired of weak formulas that didn’t meet women’s unique needs.

It’s got:
✨ 50 billion CFUs
✨ 10 carefully selected strains
✨ Immune AND vaginal AND digestive support
✨ Shelf-stable, no fridge required
✨ Free from gluten, dairy, soy, GMOs, and fillers

It’s designed to support gut health, immune function, and a healthy vaginal microbiome.* Basically, it’s your gut’s new BFF.

Ready to Support Your Gut & Immune Health?

👉 Take the next step with Mama Natural’s Women’s Probiotic

Your body (and belly!) will thank you.