Supplements and Gut Health
Disclaimer: This post also contains affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I am not a medical provider, please check with your doctor prior to making any changes to your supplement, diet, or exercise routine.
Eating the proper foods when working to heal your gut is vital. When you are on this road, you are changing your diet, your products and more. In doing so, you are hopefully working to correct the imbalance of gut bacteria as well as working to reduce any inflammation, food sensitivities, and allergies you may have because of poor gut health. An important aspect to remember is to fill your body with the right supplements. They can be just as valuable to your gut journey as the food you eat. What supplements should you focus on when trying to heal your gut? We will discuss what to look for today.
Probiotics
Probiotics are the number 1 supplement to take while working to heal your gut. If you can only start with one, start here. Probiotics are live bacteria that work in your gut to help promote a strong immune system. By having a healthy digestive system, we are able to fight off illness and infections much easier. Sometimes, our bodies are fighting off illness without us knowing. You may have heard when you are taking an antibiotic to consume yogurt also. That is because yogurt contains good bacteria that help keep our gut strong while fighting off the infections and having a compromised immune system.
A good probiotic helps to boost your immunity, allows for proper digestion of food, and help sustain energy. To select the best probiotic for your benefit, you will need to do some research. There is no “one size fits all” for selecting one. Look at the types of strains within the selected product to see what active bacteria it contains. There are different benefits to different strains. Pay attention to how many colony forming units (CFU) are included. Generally, you want to make sure the probiotic contains a variety of stains and at least 1 billion CFUs.
To start in your search, here are two probiotics to consider. Again, research the strains and determine the best fit for you.
Digestive Enzyme
Digestive Enzymes help to break down nutrients for the body to absorb easily. They can also aid in the reduction of inflammation. A good product will contain a spectrum of many enzymes for maximum support of the gut. There are products that are specifically designed for various issues. If you have a gluten or dairy intolerance, you can pick one that will work best for you. One to consider is this one.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is a common supplement that benefits many body systems. Heart health, brain health, and immune support are just a few advantages of consuming fish oil. In regards to gut health, fish oil helps to build a strong immune system, aids in digestion, proper production of vitamins, as well as aiding in the body’s detoxification process. Pick a fish oil supplement that has been highly purified for the best results and least amount of contaminants from the fish themselves. This is a good one to try.
Vitamin D
Many people are vitamin D deficient and do not even realize it. A surprising correlation between a high-fat diet and a vitamin D deficiency can sometimes lead to metabolic syndrome due to the disproportion of gut flora. Vitamin D is needed within the gut to help supply the “good bacteria” with the nutrients they need to survive. When vitamin D levels are low it can lead to constipation and bloating. A good supplement to consider trying would be this one.
Magnesium
When you are low in magnesium, you are more at risk of inflammation within the body. This, in turn, can lead to issues with blood sugar, depression, and metabolic syndrome. Magnesium helps aid in digestion enzymes for the proper breakdown of nutrients. This leads to proper digestion and thus asisting your bowels. There are different types of magnesium to take. Make sure you research what would work best for you and discuss with your doctor prior to starting. Generally, magnesium glycinate is the most common form.
When researching your supplement options, pay attention to what else is included. Many tend to combine several vitamins together. If you choose to use one of those to reduce the number of pills you take, read the ingredient list to ensure you are consuming the recommended dosage for each. There are other supplements I personally choose to include in my daily routine.
What do you like to add to your day to feel your best?
Disclaimer: This post also contains affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I am not a medical provider, please check with your doctor prior to making any changes to your supplement, diet, or exercise routine.
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