1. Heavy fatigue after eating may indicate various diseases in the body
Problem: If you feel heavy fatigue after meals, it may indicate a digestive system that is working slowly and not digesting food properly. This condition can occur when the body is under some form of distress, such as a disease that causes it to redirect its energy and resources to addressing the problem rather than other needs, like digestion. This redirection of resources leaves the body particularly tired, so even small meals can cause exhaustion.
Solution: It is important to consult a doctor if this phenomenon occurs frequently, as you may be suffering from a chronic issue that requires treatment. At the same time, fatigue after a meal sometimes stems from overeating, and the simplest solution to this problem is to reduce the amount of food per meal and take a short walk afterward. In a study conducted at Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany, researchers found that a short walk in fresh air speeds up and improves the digestion process, helping people feel less tired.
2. Persistent bad breath may indicate kidney problems or diabetes
Problem: Sometimes we forget to brush our teeth or eat something that causes bad breath. However, if we maintain regular brushing and don’t consume strong-smelling foods regularly, yet the problem persists, it may indicate a systemic issue. Dr. Joseph Mercola, an alternative medicine expert, says that a fishy odor may point to kidney problems, while a fruity breath smell could indicate diabetes.
Another possible source of bad breath could be an imbalance between beneficial bacteria in the digestive system and harmful bacteria that release foul-smelling substances. You may be exacerbating the situation by eating sugary foods that feed these harmful bacteria. Finally, problematic bad breath can also indicate acid reflux, which causes stomach acid to churn and release unpleasant-smelling gases, or gum disease.
Solution: If your bad breath has a fishy or fruity odor, it’s advisable to get checked by a doctor to confirm or rule out kidney issues or diabetes. If the bad breath is unpleasant but lacks these specific odors, try eating probiotic foods to restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in your stomach, which can alleviate the issue. Probiotics will also balance the bacteria in your mouth, leading to fresher breath. Another recommendation is to eat fiber-rich foods, as they nourish beneficial bacteria, helping them thrive over harmful ones, restoring balance and pleasant breath.
3. Skin problems may indicate poor digestion
Problem: We all want to enjoy healthy, radiant skin, but often we develop skin issues like acne, eczema, dermatitis, and other conditions whose surprising source lies in the digestive system. Not many know this, but most skin problems stem from various deficiencies in the stomach and digestive system that affect the health and appearance of our skin.
If your skin tends to peel, it indicates a deficiency in the enzyme lipase, which breaks down fats. If your body doesn’t break down food properly, it won’t absorb vitamins like A, K, and E, which are essential for skin health and a fresh appearance. These vitamins help fight infections, and when they’re lacking, pimples and other issues may appear on your skin because there’s nothing to combat the bacteria causing these conditions. An imbalance between good and bad bacteria in the digestive system also causes skin puffiness and an uneven appearance.
Solution: If you have persistent skin issues, it’s recommended to eat foods rich in vitamins, such as fruits and vegetables, to restore these essential components to your body. Probiotic foods will also help restore bacterial balance in the digestive system and improve skin appearance. Persistent issues like severe acne or eczema may require a doctor’s treatment, so if the problems persist after changing your diet, consult a specialist for assistance.
4. Brittle nails may signal problems with nutrient absorption
Problem: Nails may be small parts of the body, but they can reveal a lot about digestive system issues and nutritional deficiencies. Brittle nails may indicate that your stomach isn’t producing enough acid to digest food properly, leading to poor absorption of proteins, zinc, and calcium from your food. These components are essential for nail health, so their deficiency manifests in brittle nails and even hair.
Solution: If you notice that your nails are not as strong and healthy as they used to be, you may have a digestive issue that’s preventing proper nutrient absorption. In this case, it’s recommended to add foods rich in calcium, zinc, and proteins, such as eggs, chicken breast, spinach, and other green vegetables, to your diet. If the problem persists, consult a doctor to investigate the cause of poor nutrient absorption and receive tailored treatment for your needs.
5. Anemia and iron deficiency may indicate blood loss in the intestines
Problem: If blood tests show that you suffer from anemia or iron deficiency, the cause may lie in your digestive system. Blood loss in the intestines is the number one cause of iron deficiency among men and women past middle age. Blood loss in the intestines doesn’t refer to internal bleeding but to poor iron absorption, which causes anemia, similar to blood loss from an injury.
The digestive system and intestines are responsible for absorbing food and distributing nutrients like iron to other organs, so issues like anemia indicate hidden absorption problems in the intestines. Iron deficiency leads not only to anemia but also to symptoms like increased fatigue and difficulty functioning daily as before, making it important to be aware of these issues.
Solution: Adding iron to your daily diet can work wonders for anemia, so it’s recommended to eat iron-rich foods like meat, green vegetables such as spinach, beans, and roasted pumpkin seeds. If the problem persists and you don’t feel improvement, there may be a more serious issue causing poor iron absorption, so consult specialists and continue blood tests to monitor iron levels in your body.
6. Problems maintaining weight may signal poor nutrient absorption
Problem: Many of us want to shed a few kilograms gained over time, but if this happens despite no changes in diet, it may indicate problems with nutrient absorption in the body. When the body doesn’t receive the essential components needed for its various processes, it responds by reducing body mass to draw these substances from existing reserves. If you experience sudden weight loss despite no changes to your diet or exercise routine, it’s important to investigate to ensure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs to function properly.
Solution: Nutrient absorption issues cannot be solved simply by adding them to your diet, so it’s important to consult a doctor to investigate the hidden causes of these deficiencies. There may be a deeper issue causing your inability to absorb nutrients, and it’s crucial to address it before the condition worsens and critical body functions are impaired.
7. Sudden sensitivities and allergies may indicate failures in digesting certain products
Problem: Many children and adults sometimes develop sensitivities that interfere with their ability to digest certain foods. One cause of these issues is a deficiency in various digestive enzymes, such as in lactose intolerance; difficulty digesting dairy products indicates a lack of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose in these products, causing the body to reject dairy and sensitive individuals to experience unpleasant symptoms like gas and severe abdominal pain. It’s important to distinguish between sensitivity and an allergy, which can also develop in the digestive system but requires different treatment.
Solution: If you’ve developed a sensitivity to a specific food, it’s important to remove it from your diet to prevent future issues. If you prefer not to, you can take supplements that provide your body with the missing enzymes to break down the components you’re sensitive to. In the case of an allergy, consult a doctor for advice to examine your digestive system and body to determine what caused the allergic reaction and treat it accordingly.
8. Sudden sleep problems may point to deficiencies in body systems
Problem: As mentioned, the stomach is a kind of "second brain" of the body, signaling when there are issues in various body systems. If your sleep becomes disturbed and insufficient without significant life changes that could cause stress, it indicates problems in the digestive system and other body organs. In a study published in 2013, researchers found a strong link between insomnia and digestive system issues, with irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and poor digestion being leading causes of insomnia and restlessness at night. Unlike acid reflux, which is clearly felt, irritable bowel syndrome and poor digestion don’t always manifest in pain or other physical symptoms, so many don’t connect insomnia with digestive issues, as they’re not always aware of their existence.
Solution: Dietary changes greatly help restore the balance of bacteria and fluids in the stomach, contributing to better sleep. Avoid foods that cause acid reflux or other unpleasant symptoms, and if you don’t know what triggers them, eliminate one food component at a time from your diet to identify the culprit. Balanced, healthy meals full of vitamins and minerals help stabilize the digestive system and greatly contribute to good sleep. As with other issues, if you’ve tried everything and still suffer from disturbed sleep, consult a doctor to address your digestive issues and restore your rest.
