Gut health is one of the most important factors in our overall health. Our gut controls so many aspects of our health, including our immune health, hormonal health, skin health, and of course, our digestive health. There are many supplements on the market these days that promote healthy digestion but also work to keep the gut healthy. These supplements may work to add probiotics to your gut or add an acidic component to increase the acidity of your gut, aiding in better digestion.
Regardless of the functioning behind the specific gut health supplement, these supplements are essential to our health. So much of our health begins in our gut, and without a healthy digestive system, our other systems begin to fail us. Let’s take a look at some of the best gut health supplements.
The Different Types Of Gut Health Supplements
There are a lot of different gut-healing supplements on the market that help heal the gut in specific ways. Below are the more popular types of gut-healing supplements and some of their associated functions:
- Probiotics (help balance the gut microbiome by adding healthy bacteria)
- Peppermint Oil (helps with bloating and IBS/ constipation)
- Ginger (helps with nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort)
- L-glutamine (helps with constipation, diarrhea, and helps you absorb nutrients better)
- Psyllium (contains a large amount of fiber that aids in proper bowel movement habits)
- Apple cider vinegar and other acidic compounds (healthy acids add acidity to your gut, which is beneficial if you do not have enough stomach acid to break down your food)
- Digestive enzymes (help break down food more readily)
There are many different gut-healing supplements available today, and each of them has its own set of functions. Some are more popular and more researched than others (like L-glutamine and probiotics); however, there are still many options available, especially if you’re looking to heal your gut in a more natural way.
Gut Health Supplement Benefits
The benefits of healing your gut through supplements extend beyond just healthy digestion. The following are some of the many benefits of taking gut-healing supplements:
- Proper digestion
- Balanced gut microbiome
- Prevents and treats constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Better absorption of nutrients
- Decreased bloating
- Decreased heartburn
- More regulated and stable mood
- Proper hormonal health and balance
- Prevents and treats skin issues, especially acne
- Supports proper immune system functioning
- Contributes to heart health
- Improvement in anxiety, depression, OCD, and memory
These benefits show how far-reaching gut health really is within the body. Although healing your gut through these supplements improves your digestion, it also helps keep your body healthy and stable. Being able to digest your food properly also contributes to good health, so gut-healing supplements become especially important for people suffering from digestive disorders.
Should I Take Supplements For Gut Health?
Gut-healing supplements can be taken by pretty much anyone. However, it’s important to note that you should always consult with a doctor before using any of these supplements. Gut health supplements become especially crucial for individuals suffering from digestive disorders, including the following:
- IBS
- Crohn’s disease
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Also can be beneficial for immuno-compromised individuals as nutrient uptake occurs in our guts
Depending on your specific health situation, you may require one or a combination of any of these gut-healing supplements. Do your research on your specific condition and consult with your doctor to find a product or type of supplement beneficial for you.
Do Gut Health Supplements Really Work?
Gut-healing supplements are all over the market these days. It really depends on what the specific product is, and it’s ingredients in terms of determining whether or not it’s effective. It also depends on your health condition, as well. For example, for someone with IBS in the form of constant diarrhea, supplements that help you go to the bathroom, like fiber supplements (Metamucil, psyllium husk), might not be the best option. Additionally, if you’re looking to heal constipation issues, some supplements like peppermint oil may be more beneficial for someone, whereas a probiotic/prebiotic blend may be more beneficial for another person. It really comes down to the specific product and its reviews/efficacy, as well as your unique health condition.
Best Supplements For Gut Health
Total Restore
One of our top picks for gut health supplements is Total Restore from Gundry MD. Total Restore is a veggie capsule supplement that combines sixteen all-natural ingredients into one proprietary formula. It is designed to promote and support strong, healthy gut lining. This supplement includes two patented formulas, a 19mg blend of magnesium and two types of zinc, a VitaBerry 22mg blend of organic berries, and other ingredients such as grapefruit and marshmallow root. Total Restore is made to protect and support gut health.
SAVE UP TO $165 ON TOTAL RESTORESeed
Seed is another of our favorite gut health supplements. Seed Daily Synbiotic includes a probiotic and prebiotic formula. It is designed to benefit not only gut health, but also digestive health, heart health, skin health, gut immune function, micronutrient synthesis, and gut barrier integrity. Seed’s ingredient list contains clinically-studied bacteria strains and, additionally, it is vegan, soy free, dairy free, gluten free, and preservative-free.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON SEEDBulletproof Innerfuel
Bulletproof Innerfuel is made by well-known supplement company Bulletproof. They produce a wide variety of supplements including Bulletproof Collagen Protein and Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil. Bulletproof Innerfuel is a prebiotic supplement designed to promote a healthy gut. It is keto-friendly, as it contains 0g of sugar and 0g net carbs, and includes 17g of prebiotics per serving. Bulletproof Innerfuel’s benefits include nourishing good gut bacteria, boosting immunity, and supporting healthy digestion.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON BULLETPROOF INNERFUELHum Nutrition Flatter Me
Hum Nutrition Flatter Me is a gut health supplement made by popular health and wellness company, Hum Nutrition. Hum Nutrition’s products also include Hum Red Carpet, Hum Air Patrol, Hum Hair Sweet Hair, and Hum Skinny Bird. Hum Nutrition Flatter Me comes with highly-rated reviews and claims to promote healthy digestion. It contains 18 full-spectrum enzymes, ginger, fennel, and peppermint. It helps with bloating as well. It contains a 30-day supply at $25 per bottle.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON HUM NUTRITION FLATTER MEZenwise Health Digestive Enzymes
This supplement comes very highly rated by the community at an affordable price. It contains digestive enzymes as well as a blend of probiotics and prebiotics. It also contains a specific probiotic strain known to improve the immune system as well.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON ZENWISE HEALTH DIGESTIVE ENZYMESPhysician’s Choice Probiotic
This is one of the most highly rated probiotics on the market. It contains the maximum strength of 60 million CFU. It is doctor-approved and is made with 10 different probiotic strains. It also claims to provide “acid-resistant technology.”
SAVE 30% ON PHYSICIAN’S CHOICE PROBIOTICGut Health Supplement Alternatives
Gut health is very important, but it does start with your diet and lifestyle. It’s important to eat a balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and especially fiber. Drinking enough water and engaging in some form of exercise every day also contributes to a healthy gut. Additionally, stress also impedes our gut health, so finding ways to de-stress can benefit your gut immensely. Below are some dietary sources that help heal the gut:
- Probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods (kimchi, yogurt, leafy greens, beetroot, kombucha)
- Chickpeas and other beans
- Whole-grain bread
- Psyllium husk powder
- Flaxseeds
- Chia seeds
- Lentils
- Ginger
- Avocado
- Papaya
- Salmon
- Banana
- Bone broths
- Brown rice
- Miso
- Broccoli
Promoting Good Health Through Your Gut
Overall, gut health supplements come in many different forms. From fiber supplements like Metamucil to bloating/constipation supplements like peppermint oil, healing your gut can involve many different mechanisms. Gut health is so important as it directly affects your health as a whole. Constipation can lead to acne and depression, whereas diarrhea can lead to electrolyte imbalances and confusion. Always consult with your doctor to determine if your gut needs healing and then decide on a supplement or ingredient that would benefit you best.