In today’s video I am going to break down the Top 10 body signs that you shouldn’t
ignore. And make sure you stay until the end as I have a bonus sign that you are not going
to want to miss.
So before I run through these 10 let me just ask you a couple of very quick questions.
How often after 8 hours sleep do you struggle to get out of bed? How often do you suffer
with digestive issues or racing thoughts? How often do you suffer with skin breakouts?
The problem is that in today’s fast paced world many of us don’t really pay attention
to these signals or even worse we choose to discard and ignore them.
Now most days your body will be sending you signals about your internal health condition.
Some maybe subtle such as thirst or hunger sensations whilst others your body will send
you direct body distress signals such as fatigue, skin rashes or digestive pains.
So with this in mind lets jump into the top 10 so that you can better understand the current
status of your health and make sure you stay around until the end because I will give you
a really cool bonus tip.
Number 1: Your skin is always breaking out. This could be acne, hives, rosacea, eczema,
psoriasis, cellulitis, contact dermatitis, vitiligo, warts and everything in between.
These breakouts could be temporary or they could be permanent and they could also be
very painful or they could be totally painless.
Now there are many know causes of these skin breakouts. It could be food intolerances,
it could be gut microbiome insufficiency, it could be bacteria trapped in the skin pores,
it could be autoimmune illnesses affecting the thyroid or other body systems, it could
be an impaired immune system, it could be viruses, or it could even be fungus or other
microorganisms living om the skin.
What you should not do however if you have skin problems is assume that nothing can be
done to improve or resolve them. For many people with resolving skin issues is simply
a few minor dietary or lifestyle tweaks that can get you moving in the right direction.
So push your Dr or healthcare practitioner to investigate further. Do a complete blood
count. Check your thyroid function. Do a comprehensive stool test to see if you are having malabsorption
issues. Do a microbiome test to see if you have a lack of diversity of bacteria in the
colon. Remember your skin is alerting you to a problem. Don’t just try and mask this
with a cream or a pill.
Number 2 is that the whites of your eyes aren’t white. If this is the case then this may indicate
underlying issues with wither your liver, gallbladder, bile ducts or pancreas.
The white part of your eye is called the sclera and it’s a protective layer that covers
80% of the eye balls surface area. When there is underlying health issues the sclera can
either turn yellow, brown or red.
If your sclera is turning yellow then this could be something like pinguecula which is
damage caused by the sun, wind or dust or it could be a sign of jaundice. Jaundice is
caused by a build-up of old red blood cells called bilirubin and these are the cells that
are normally filtered out by the liver and turned to bile.
If your sclera turn brown then this is often due to higher levels of the dark brown pigment
called melanin. This is harmless. Sometimes brown spots can be more serious and it could
be a sign of a pre cancerous condition called primary acquired melanosis (PAM).
Red or pink spots on the sclera can often be a sign of subconjunctival haemorrhage which
essentially means broken blood vessels because you are tired, you have dry eyes or you have
allergies. In rare occasions red eyes maybe a sign of glaucoma which is a disease that
damages your eyes optic nerve.
Whatever the causes of changes in your eyes colours though, if the changes last for more
than a few days then you want to get them checked out by a trained professional.
Number 3 is That you are constantly gassy or bloated. Now the average healthy person
will pass gas anywhere from 5-15 times per day. If you are producing significantly more
gas than this it maybe a sign that there is an underlying problem that needs addressing.
Now gas and bloating will generally only come from three distinct areas. At the top of the
gut you have the stomach that produces hydrochloric acid to liquify your food, you have pancreatic
enzymes released by the pancreas to break down proteins, fats and carbs and you have
your gallbladder that stores bile to break down and emulsify the fats in your diet.
If you have problems with the stomach, pancreas or gallbladder then typical symptoms will
be acid reflux, pain under the right or left rib cage, lose or sandy coloured stool and
this is obviously in addition to excessive gas.
So if you don’t have these types of problems at the top of the gut then your excessive
gas maybe coming from the small intestines. The small intestines is where you are not
supposed to have too many bacteria because its where you digest and absorb your nutrients.
Some people with excessive bacteria in the small intestines have a condition called small
intestinal bacterial overgrowth which essentially just means that you have an excessive amount
of bacteria in the small intestines where it shouldn’t be.
In this situation anytime you put fibre and carbohydrates into the gut then it will cause
excessive fermentation and you will experience symptoms such as a lot of gas, bloating, cramping
and bowel movement issues such as constipation or lose stools. So if you have these types
of problems then be sure to get tested for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
The last main area that your excessive gas maybe coming from is the colon or your large
intestines. Your large intestines is where the majority of your microbiome resides and
too much bacteria or the wrong type of bacteria can cause gas just in the same was as SIBO
in the small intestines, but equally if you have low diversity on the colon then this
can also produce a lot of gas as well as things like constipation.
So these are the 3 areas that will typically cause excessive gas and bloating. The top
of the gut with the stomach, pancreas and gallbladder, your small intestines or your
colon.
If your gas is not coming from these areas then it maybe a sign of a more significant
health issue such as celiac disease which is an autoimmune condition where your immune
system attacks your own tissues when you eat gluten. Or in very rare situations it maybe
a sign of some form of cancer in the digestive tract.
Again if you have excessive gas and bloating on a daily basis then get it checked out by
a suitably qualified health professional as you will want to seal with these problems
before they transition into something more complicated.
Number 4 is that you are always tired. For many people today fatigue is a perpetual state
and for many it maybe a problem bigger than what they are attributing to it. Obviously
if you are repeatedly overstimulating your body with processed refined sugars and caffeine
then these could be possible causes of but for many there maybe much more to it.
Now there are many common causes of fatigue such as dehydration, not getting enough iron
in your diet, you are not getting enough calories, your diet is poor, there could be psychological
factors such as stress at play, you drink too much alcohol or you have poor sleeping
patterns. This list goes on and on.
So if you have a lot of fatigue and you know that you maybe contributing to it with some
of these common causes then look to address them.
Equally if you are fatigued and you are doing all the right things in terms of eating a
well balanced diet, you have good sleeping patterns, you have manage your stress well
then it maybe a sign of other problems at play.
It could be issues with your thyroid and your thyroid maybe underactive. So your thyroid
is a butterfly shaped gland in the lower part od your neck. It produces hormones that control
the speed of your metabolism. You can imagine it as an accelerator pedal in a car. If its
not pushed down enough then the car will go slow. If its pushed down too fast then everything
goes too quickly.
If your thyroid is underactive then a common issue is that you are not getting enough iodine
in your diet. Iodine is used by the thyroid alongside amino acids and other nutrients
to produce your thyroid hormones which will determine the speed of your metabolism and
also to a large extent how much energy you have.
With the thyroid there may also be am autoimmune component too where the immune system, which
usually fights infection, attacks the thyroid gland and this can inhibit the thyroid function,
again making you feel fatigued.
If you have thyroid issues then fatigue maybe one of the earlier signs but other common
symptoms have constant cold extremities, you are putting on weight despite eating normally,
you may experience digestive issues, depression, dry skin, brittle nails, have a loss of sex
drive or have irregular periods.
Now I have discussed some of the common causes of fatigue here but if you are experiencing
fatigue on a daily/weekly basis despite leading a healthy lifestyle then go and get checked
out by your Dr as it maybe a sign of a more systemic wide problem. Chronic fatigue syndrome,
mitochondria problem, gut problems and many other problems may be the culprit. So don’t
just assume you are tired because of your busy life. Go and get checked out.
Number 5: Your nails are discoloured or they have strange shape or textures. Now many people
don’t ever really consider the relationship with their nail health with what’s happening
within their bodies.
There are clear lifestyle patterns such as smoking or eating a poor diet that can causes
changes in your nails colour and texture. But often there are things that are being
overlooked.
If you have pale nails then it maybe a sign of anaemia, heart issues, liver problems or
malnutrition.
If you have yellow nails then it maybe a sign of a fungal infection or it maybe a sign of
thyroid issues, diabetes or psoriasis.
If your nails are constantly cracking then it maybe a sign of thyroid issues.
If you have very pronounced vertical or horizontal lines within your nails then it could be indicative
or iron deficiency anaemia or even problems with the kidneys.
Dark lines in the nails should be checked out as soon as possible as this is sometimes
caused by melanoma which is a type of skin cancer.
Again if you are leading a healthy lifestyle and there have been significant changes in
your nails on either your hands or feet then get checked out by a Dr
Number 6: You always have poor sleep. So it maybe that you find it hard to go to sleep.
It maybe you wake up several times in the night. It maybe you just lie awake most or
the night. Or you may wake up early and cant go back to sleep.
Now on average we need between 7-9 hours of sleep per night and when we don’t get this
it can spill into all areas of our life. You may still feel tired when you wake up. You
may crash during the day. You may be constantly irritated throughout the day or your concentration
may not be great because you are so tired.
Now there are many common causes of sleep problems such as stress, anxiety, a room that
is too hot or cold, your bed is not comfortable, your drinking too much caffeine during the
day, you work shift patterns, you diet is not great. Many different things will affect
your sleep patterns.
If you are someone who experiences an ongoing pattern of poor sleep then you are at increased
risk of hypertension, obesity, weakened immune function, have a lower fertility rates and
even things like increased risk of heart attacks depending on your age.
So again if you are someone who constantly struggles with sleep then reach out to a trained
professional to see what changes and improvements can be made.
Number 7 is that your body shape is apple shaped. Now I don’t need to tell anyone
over the long term implications of obesity on your health.
But if you have an apple shaped mid section then this will be a sign that you are carrying
much more visceral fat. Visceral fat is in stored in the abdominal cavity and as a consequence
is stored around some of your most important organs such as your liver, pancreas and intestines.
Now there are many causes of visceral fat. Poor diets, too much alcohol, lack of exercise,
stress, genetics, poor sleeping patterns and so on.
If you lead a good healthy lifestyle though and you are accumulating visceral fat then
again get checked out and there maybe broader issues at play. Thyroid problems, adrenal
problems, diabetes, gut problems, metabolic problems.
Don’t sweep visceral fat under the carpet and put it down to age. Work with a professional
to address these problems so you aren’t creating a much bigger health problem for
yourself 20 years down the line.
Number 8: Is that you are always picking up bugs and becoming ill. Now everyone of us
on a daily basis are exposed to bacteria and viruses that have the potential to make us
sick. The thing that stand in the way is your immune system.
Now there are many things that can weaken your immune system and many of these we have
already discussed. A lack of good quality sleep, anxiety, poor dietary patterns, high
fat diets, spending too little time outdoors, smoking, alcohol, a lack of exercise and everything
in between.
So if you are always picking up bugs and colds then the first place you want to start is
by having an overhaul of your diet and lifestyle so that you are eating plenty of fruits and
vegetables, you are getting plenty of exercise and you are managing your stress levels.
If you have tried all of this then reach out to a healthcare practitioner who can help
you investigate further. It maybe that you have a significant vitamin D deficiency, it
maybe that you have gut problems overall a lot of your immune system is located in and
around the gut. It maybe then you have thyroid issues. It maybe that you have food intolerances.
Again don’t just assume that this is just the body that you have been dealt and there
is nothing that can be done. Unless there is serious underlying immunological dysfunctions
or immune disorder then many people can improve their immune function with simple changes.
But obviously you need to understand what is causing your health problems in the first
place.
Number 9: Is that you snore a lot. Now most people will snore occasionally throughout
the night. But 20-25% of people will snore consistently throughout the night often disrupting
their partners or even neighbours slumber.
Now there are a few common causes of snoring. As you would expect its things like being
overweight, eating a poor diet and also drinking too much alcohol.
But if these common causes don’t apply to you then you will want to get checked out
as it maybe a sign of more significant problems. Your snoring maybe a sign that you are experiencing
significant reflux while you sleep. It maybe that you have nasal and sinus problems or
infections that need to be addressed. It could even be that your sleep posture needs looking
at.
Again don’t just assume that its just you are the way you are built. Glossing over frequent
snoring patterns maybe leading you to ignore growing underlying problems that could get
worse over time.
Number 10 is that you have constant disturbed bowel movements. Now most people will have
1-3 bowel movements per day and they will normally be around a 3 or 4 on the Bristol
stool chart.
If you are someone who constantly experiencing loose stools or diarrhoea or you are having
chronic constipation and you are only having bowel movements which are difficult to pass
or you are having bowel movements only one every few days or less then you need to get
checked out.
Common causes of bowel movement issues are a lack of fibre in the diet, too many junk
foods, food intolerances or sensitivities, alcohol, stress, anxiety and also a lack of
hydration.
If you have ruled these areas out then work with a practitioner to guide you through resolving
these problems. It maybe that you have an infection in the gut such as SIBO, c difficile
or h pylori.
The reason that you want to get checked out though if you have constant bowel movement
disturbances and your diet and lifestyle is pretty good is that it maybe a sign of more
serious problems.
It could be things like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, it could be intestinal structural
abnormalities and in rare occasions it maybe cancer so you certainly want to look into
these problems.
Now to the bonus sign that I promised you at the start of the video. One of the most
common areas that people overlook when establishing whether they are healthy or not is their urine.
The density, colour and smell of your urine can reveal underlying problems. The Cleveland
clinic have produce a very useful colour chart. As you can see pale straw colour or transparent
yellow is normal.
No colour means that your drinking too much. Dark yellow or Amber is normal but you need
more fluids and then beyond this we start running into the more serious side of things.
Syrup coloured urine could indicate liver type problems. Pink to reddish maybe dietary
related but it could also be a sign of kidney disease, UTI’s, prostate problems or cancers.
Orange maybe a sign of liver or gallbladder problems. Blue or green maybe a genetic disease
that can turn the urine green or blue or it maybe a sign that you have an infection.
Cloudy urine can often indicate kidney stones and foaming or fizzing maybe indicative of
too much protein in your diet or there is an underlying kidney problem.
The smell of your urine can also be a strong indication of what’s happening in your body.
Urine shouldn’t really smell of anything. Dehydration or certain foods such as asparagus
can make the urine a bit pungent. And of course if you are dehydrated and your urine gets
very concentrated then it can smell strongly of ammonia.
If you are getting a constant smell from your urine then you want to get this checked out
as it maybe a sign of UTI’s, diabetes, bladder infections, metabolic diseases or in certain
rare situations cancer,
If you enjoyed this video then I would strongly suggest watching my top 10 foods that you
should avoid at all costs. And remember to look after your body because it’s the only
place you have to live. And ill see you next time.