• The "Gut Check" List: 7 Signs Your Microbiome Needs Help

It’s easy to ignore minor symptoms, but your body is smart. It gives you physical cues when things aren't right. Here are seven scientifically backed signs that your gut flora might be unbalanced (a condition known as dysbiosis).

1. Persistent Digestive Drama

This is the most obvious sign, but we often normalize it. Do you or your kids struggle with frequent bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea?

• The Science: A healthy gut processes food and eliminates waste efficiently. When bad bacteria overtake the good, it creates fermentation in the intestines, leading to excessive gas and bloating. Studies show that Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is strongly linked to this bacterial overgrowth.

• The Mom Check: If you look 4 months pregnant after a normal meal, or if your kids are complaining of tummy aches several times a week, pay attention.

2. Sugar Cravings That Feel Uncontrollable

Do you find yourself hunting for chocolate at 3 PM, or are your kids begging for sweets constantly? It might not just be a "sweet tooth."

• The Science: Certain microbes in your gut prefer different fuel sources. Yeast and "bad" bacteria thrive on sugar. The more you have, the more they manipulate your neural pathways to demand sugar, creating a vicious cycle.

• The Mom Check: Notice if you feel shaky or irritable without sugar, or if you can’t stop eating sweets once you start.

3. Unintentional Weight Changes

Gaining or losing weight without changing your diet or exercise habits can be a major red flag.

• The Science: Your gut bacteria play a huge role in how your body absorbs nutrients, regulates blood sugar, and stores fat. An imbalance can impair your ability to absorb nutrients (weight loss) or cause insulin resistance and inflammation (weight gain).

• The Mom Check: If the scale is moving unexpectedly despite your best efforts to eat clean, your microbiome might be struggling to process your food correctly.

4. Sleep Disturbances and Chronic Fatigue

If you’re sleeping 8 hours but waking up exhausted, look to your gut.

• The Science: Did you know that the vast majority of your body’s serotonin (the "happy hormone" that also regulates sleep) is produced in the gut? An unhealthy gut can lead to insomnia or poor sleep quality. Furthermore, systemic inflammation caused by a "leaky gut" creates chronic fatigue.

• The Mom Check: Watch for fragmented sleep or that heavy, "drugged" feeling in the morning that coffee just can't fix.

5. Skin Irritations (Eczema, Acne, Rosacea)

Your skin is a map of what’s happening inside your body.

• The Science: The "gut-skin axis" is a well-documented connection. Inflammation in the gut caused by food sensitivities or bacterial imbalance can manifest externally as eczema, acne, or rashes.

• The Mom Check: If your teenager’s acne is flaring up or your toddler has persistent dry patches, topical creams might only be a Band-Aid. The root cause is often internal.

6. Autoimmune Conditions & Frequent Sickness

If it feels like your family catches every bug that goes around school, your gut defenses might be down.

• The Science: Roughly 70% of your immune system resides in your gut. A diverse microbiome teaches your immune system what to attack (viruses) and what to leave alone. When the gut is compromised, autoimmunity generally rises, and your resistance to common colds drops.

• The Mom Check: Keep track of how many sick days the kids are taking or if you feel like you’re constantly fighting off a sniffle.

7. Brain Fog and Mood Swings

Anxiety, depression, and "mom brain" are heavily influenced by gut health.

• The Science: The gut-brain axis connects your central nervous system to your enteric nervous system. Inflammation in the gut sends stress signals to the brain, contributing to anxiety and lack of focus.

• The Mom Check: If you walk into a room and forget why you’re there more often than not, or if your patience is wearing thin faster than usual, your gut bacteria might be the culprits.

• The At-Home "Beet Test"

Want a quick, easy, and practically free way to test your gut transit time (how fast food moves through you)? Try the Beet Test.

1. Eat a serving of beets (about 1/2 to 1 cup) with your dinner.

2. Note the time and date.

3. Watch the toilet bowl. Wait until you see the red pigment appear in your stool.

The Results:

• Healthy: 12–24 hours. This means your digestion is optimal.

• Too Fast: Less than 12 hours. You might not be absorbing nutrients well.

• Too Slow: More than 24 hours. Waste is sitting in your system too long, likely reabsorbing toxins and leading to the symptoms mentioned above.

• How to Fix It: My 3-Step "Mompreneur" Protocol

Identifying the problem is step one. Now, let’s talk solutions. I don’t have time for complicated 20-step routines, and I bet you don’t either. I rely on high-quality, scientifically formulated solutions that actually work.

Here is the exact 3-step system I use to reset, defend, and optimize my family’s gut health.

Protocol 1: The Wellness Reset (Detox & Cleanse)

Best for: When you're feeling sluggish, bloated, or recovering from a vacation, a round of antibiotics, or a period of poor eating.

Before you can rebuild a house, you have to clear out the junk. When your system is weighed down by waste, your energy plummets. You need a gentle reset to eliminate toxins without spending a week near a bathroom. For this, I swear by the NutriRise 15 Day Rapid Colon Cleanse.

This isn't just about "cleansing"; it's about restoring your natural rhythm. This formula is backed by science with 9 all-natural ingredients designed to end sluggishness and naturally cleanse you from the inside out.

Why this works:

• Gentle Removal: It utilizes powerful herbs like Senna Leaf and Cascara Sagrada. Think of them as a natural clean-up crew that stimulates the digestive tract to move waste efficiently.

• Soothing Support: Unlike harsh cleanses, this includes Aloe Vera to soothe the intestinal lining, reducing irritation during the process.

• The First Wave of Reinforcement: Most cleanses strip the gut entirely. This formula includes Lactobacillus acidophilus, ensuring that as you flush out the bad, you are immediately seeding the gut with good bacteria.

• Fiber Support: Psyllium husk and flaxseed provide the bulk needed to gently sweep the colon clean.

Action Step: Use this 15-day protocol to hit the "reset" button on your metabolism and digestion. I do this quarterly or whenever I feel that "heavy" feeling returning.

Protocol 2: The High-Performance Daily (Defense & Metabolism)

Best for: Daily maintenance, boosting immunity, and ensuring a healthy metabolic response.

Once your system is reset, you need to fortify your defenses. You want a supplement that acts as a daily shield and a vitality booster to keep you going. Enter the NutriRise Gut Giver 40B Probiotics.

This formula is built for resilience. It features 40 Billion CFU (Colony Forming Units), ensuring a high dose of beneficial bacteria reaches your system.

Why this works:

• Survivability is Key: Here is a secret many companies won't tell you: many probiotics die in stomach acid before they ever help you. This formula uses MAKTREK® Bi-Pass Technology, a scientifically designed delivery system that ensures the bacteria survive the journey to the intestines where they do their work.

• The Perfect Synergy: This is a true "synbiotic"—it combines probiotics with prebiotics (Marine Polysaccharide Complex and Fructooligosaccharide). You are providing the flowers (probiotics) and their fertilizer (prebiotics) in a single capsule.

• Targeted Strains:

• Lactobacillus Acidophilus: Supports nutrient absorption and lactose digestion.

• Bifidobacterium Lactis: Known for enhancing immune function and digestion.

• Lactobacillus Plantarum: A hardy strain that helps maintain the integrity of the gut lining.

• Lactobacillus Paracasei: Helps combat fatigue and supports dental health.

Action Step: Make this your morning ritual. It supports a strong immune system and keeps your metabolic fire burning, giving you the energy to tackle your to-do list.

Protocol 3: The Diversity Strategy (Optimization & Complexity)

Best for: Those looking to maximize gut biodiversity and cognitive synergy.

In nature, a diverse ecosystem is a healthy one. The same is true for your microbiome. A wider variety of bacterial strains correlates with better health outcomes, clearer thinking, and better moods. For this, I rotate in the NutriRise Grateful Gut 20B Probiotics.

This powerhouse is designed to elevate your health with a potent, scientifically-backed blend of 13 powerful probiotic strains.

Why this works:

• Synergistic Complexity: Each capsule packs 20 billion CFUs of a patented blend. It’s not just about quantity; it’s about the diversity of the team working for you.

• Full Spectrum Support:

• L. Rhamnosus & L. Salivarius: Excellent for oral health and fighting infections.

• L. Reuteri & L. Gasseri: Often linked to weight management and heart health.

• B. Longum & B. Bifidum: Critical for breaking down carbohydrates and managing the body's response to stress.

• Pure Performance: It is free from binders, fillers, and artificial additives. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO, aligning with a clean, health-conscious lifestyle.

Action Step: I rotate this into my regimen to introduce new, beneficial strains to my microbiome. It enhances adaptability and resilience, ensuring my gut is prepared for anything.

• Listen to Your Gut (Literally)

Your health is the foundation of your family’s happiness. If you aren't feeling your best, it’s hard to give your best to the people and projects you love.

By paying attention to these 7 signs and implementing a smart, science-backed protocol, you can banish the bloat, clear the brain fog, and get your energy back. Whether you need a full reset with the 15 Day Cleanse or daily maintenance with Gut Giver or Grateful Gut, taking control of your microbiome is one of the most powerful things you can do for your long-term wellness.

Here’s to a happy, healthy belly!