Your gut contains a network of more than 100 trillion microorganisms. This diverse microbiome helps your body break down food and absorb nutrients. However, the state of your gut can affect other aspects of your health, too. The digestive system can affect and play a role in sleep, immune health, metabolism and nutrition, autoimmune diseases, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other disorders. To avoid the negative effects of a weakened or unhealthy gut, you should take steps to improve and maintain your gut health. This includes eating a high-fiber diet, reducing stress, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and taking the right supplements. Here are some of the best supplements for gut health that we recommend:
1. Probiotic Essentials
Your gut contains a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms that are necessary for your digestive and overall health. A healthy gut has a balanced amount and variety of these microorganisms. If your gut microbiome is out of balance or lacking diversity, you may experience digestive issues and changes in various aspects of your health such as your immune system. That’s why one of the best types of supplements for gut health is probiotics. Probiotics are live organisms that, when taken, are delivered to the intestinal tract where they can grow and improve the balance in your gut. Probiotic Essentials and Probiotic Essentials - Women’s provide proven probiotic strains that can survive in the harsh GI environment and positively influence gut, immune, and women’s health.
2. InflammaPro and GlutaPro
Around 70 percent of the immune system lives in the gut microbiome, and its purpose is to protect the body from invaders. When the immune system thinks it’s being invaded, it will mount an immune response that often includes acute inflammation to protect and maintain normal tissue repair. For some people, inflammation can be the manifestation of an out-of-balance immune system that stems from an unhealthy gut. Additionally, in order for a gastrointestinal tract to be healthy, it needs an epithelial mucosal barrier that prevents toxins, microorganisms, and food antigens (proteins) from passing into the bloodstream while also allowing the absorption of dietary nutrients. There are a number of factors that can affect the integrity of this barrier, such as stress, poor nutrition, overconsumption of alcohol, food intolerance, and microbial imbalance.
This is why two of the best supplements for gut health are InflammaPro and GlutaPro. InflammaPro features easy-to-digest fiber as well as L-glutamine, glycine, and amino acids for antioxidant protection, inflammatory balance, intestinal reinforcement, and mucosal cell regeneration. This supplement comes in three varieties: InflammaPro Vanilla Chai, InflammaPro Strawberry, and InflammaPro Chocolate Mint. GlutaPro helps support the health of the epithelial barrier as well as regenerate and maintain intestinal absorptive cells. Some of the key ingredients in this formula include zinc, vitamin A, L-glutamine, N-acetyl-d-glucosamine, aloe vera extract, and licorice root extract. There are two flavors to choose from: GlutaPro Vanilla and GlutaPro Chocolate. We recommend taking either InflammaPro or GlutaPro, not both, since they share some of the same ingredients and benefits.
3. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin” since the sun’s UV rays activate vitamin D synthesis in the body. In addition to the well-known benefits of vitamin D for maintaining strong bones and mental health, this essential nutrient also plays a role in strengthening gut cells and the immune system. Additionally, a 2017 study found that adults with higher vitamin D levels had an abundance of certain gut microorganisms that are associated with a healthy gut, indicating a potential relationship between the two. The best source of vitamin D is sunlight, but not everyone is able to get outside and soak up sun each day. Consuming certain foods can increase your vitamin D levels, such as fatty fish, mushrooms, and fortified dairy and nondairy products. You may also benefit from taking a vitamin D supplement to make sure you get enough of this vitamin to improve and maintain your gut health.
More Advice on Gut Health
These are some of the best supplements for gut health that can help improve and maintain gut function, immune health, and overall health. Here at Apothecary & Co., our goal is to help you achieve the best health possible by offering the knowledge and resources you need to support your health journey. If you want to learn more about ways to improve your gut health through supplements, lifestyle changes, medication, etc., please reach out to us and our team will be happy to help determine the best strategies for your unique health needs.
