Your gastrointestinal tract (including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus) can be a driving force in your health — or in the development of all sorts of chronic and acute conditions.

That’s because when your gastrointestinal microbiomes are out of balance, they can contribute to GERD, constipation, IBD and IBS, prediabetes/diabetes, depression, obesity, some cancers, dementia, and more.

But how do you know if you have a healthy gastrointestinal tract?

You may be surprised by what may signal an out-of-balance biome and other digestive problems. In addition to gas, bloating, heartburn, constipation, and/or diarrhea, an imbalanced gastrointestinal system can trigger persistent fatigue, food sensitivities, autoimmune-associated skin problems such as eczema and rosacea, and problems with memory and mood.

The good news is that if you have any of these symptoms, you can take steps to restore balance to your GI system and better health throughout your body. Here are two steps you can take:

1. Eat a good daily supply of prebiotics in unrefined, high-fiber foods such as 100% whole grains (three servings), legumes, and fruits and vegetables (seven servings).

2. Enjoy foods that deliver healthy microbes to your system, such as yogurt (unsweetened), kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso soup. If you take probiotic supplements, Lactobacillus acidophilus, rhamnosus, casei, and plantarum, and Bifidobacterium longum and breve are well-studied and recommended.

For chronic gastrointestinal woes, make sure to consult your doctor. There are helpful medical remedies available.

And for more information on protecting your digestive tract, check out my book "What to Eat When."