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Health & Nutrition
Zaheera Swing
Nutritional Therapist & Herbalist BSc Hons Nutritional Science + NTPD

The Beginners Guide To Digestive Health Supplements

Your gut, hosting trillions of bacteria and housing over 70% of your immune system, plays a crucial role in your overall health. From influencing your mental state to managing your weight, a healthy gut ensures efficient digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination. When unhealthy lifestyle habits disturb this system, signs like bloating, constipation, or skin issues might surface. Several gut health supplements can aid in restoring balance. These include probiotics, colon cleanses, collagen complex, apple cider vinegar, and superfood greens, each supporting various aspects of gut health such as reducing bloating, improving digestion, or enhancing nutrient absorption

 

 

Did you know your gut is home to tens of trillions of bacteria? Or that over 70% of your immune system resides in your GI tract? The gut truly is a wonder to behold. Research consistently reveals how digestive health is interconnected with the body’s entire well-being, including your mental state, weight, immune function, and even skin! But how do you know if your gut is healthy or needs extra support? Keep reading to find out the 101 of gut health and how the right digestive supplements can promote healthy digestion and elimination and help balance the gut bacteria that make up your unique microbiome!

Remember that supplements are not a cure for any disease or condition but can help support the body's natural processes.


What is the function of the digestive system?

One of the primary roles of the digestive system is to break down the food you eat into its smallest nutrient building blocks for your body to absorb and use for energy production, growth, and cellular repair. Let’s go on a little journey through your GI tract to learn more!

The stomach contains powerful hydrochloric acid, which helps to break down food and acts as the first line of defense against any harmful organisms you may ingest. When food enters your stomach, digestive enzymes also help break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats for nutrient absorption. [1]

After the stomach, food travels through the small intestine, around 22 feet long, and has a surface area the size of a tennis court! This large surface helps maximize the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream as food moves through it. Your small intestine also produces digestive enzymes to further aid with absorption. [2]

Next up is the large intestine, or colon, which makes up about ⅕ of the length of the digestive tract and is responsible for turning food waste into stool and eliminating it from the body. Once the indigestible food has reached the colon, around 90% of the nutrients and water have already been absorbed in the small intestine. However, some absorption of electrolytes like sodium and potassium still occurs here. 

The colon is also where the majority of the microbes in your gut reside, also known as the gut flora or microbiome, which not only help to protect the digestive tract but also play an essential role in metabolism, the immune system, and even hormonal health. Amazingly, healthy bacteria in the colon also produce vitamins like Vitamin K and specific B Vitamins! [3]

 

 

What is gut health?

Optimal gut health is something we should all be striving for. Unfortunately, many facets of modern life such as antibiotics, stress, alcohol consumption, smoking, processed diets, environmental toxins, and even the birth control pill can negatively affect a healthy digestive system! [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

A healthy gut means your digestive tract can extract all the essential elements from your diet and eliminate waste effectively and efficiently (at least one bowel movement a day is ideal!). It also means your gut microbiome has a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria to support your overall wellness and help keep foreign pathogens in check!

But how do you know if something’s not quite right? Let’s take a look.


Signs your digestive health may need some support*

  • Bloating
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive gas
  • Fatigue
  • Heartburn
  • Skin complaints like eczema and acne
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Food intolerances

Let’s take a closer look at the best supplements to help take your digestive wellness to the next level! At NutriRise, we’ve curated a collection of research-backed supplements to support gut health from every angle. 

*Note: It’s always important to discuss any concerning symptoms with your primary healthcare practitioner.

 

 

Understanding gut health supplements

 

Probiotics With 40 Billion CFU

Probiotics are the good bacteria that your gut microbiome needs to thrive and one of the best supplements for overall digestive health! Our Probiotic with 40 Billion CFU is packed with prebiotics and four different strains of beneficial bacteria, including lactobacillus, the most clinically proven probiotic strain! These mighty microbes are delivered with targeted MATREK Bi-Pass Technology to guarantee they arrive intact without being harmed by stomach acid.

 

Symptoms that Probiotics may support:

  • Bloating
  • Improved digestion
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea 
  • Nutrient deficiencies

 

What does the research say?

A randomized controlled trial examined the effects of the probiotic lactobacillus in those struggling with constipation. At the end of the study, participants saw significant improvements in constipation scores and a positive impact on symptoms such as abdominal discomfort and bloating compared to placebo. [9]

A systematic review of clinical trials found that probiotic supplementation was associated with a positive impact on micronutrient status (particularly vitamin B12, calcium, folate, iron, and zinc). [10]



15 Day Rapid Colon Cleanse

Sometimes your body’s natural elimination processes need a little help. Our 15 Day Rapid Colon Cleanse contains eight powerful ingredients, including aloe vera, prebiotic fiber, and probiotics, to promote digestive regularity and a balanced gut microbiome.


Symptoms that a colon cleanse may support:

  • Bloating
  • Constipation
  • Sluggishness
  • Skin issues
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal discomfort

What does the research say?

A randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a herbal remedy containing Senna and Licorice in participants with chronic constipation and found that bowel movement frequency significantly improved compared to placebo. [11]

A systematic review of clinical research studies found that all of the evaluated research concluded that probiotic supplementation could also improve bowel movement frequency and reduce the time it took for the food to pass through the intestinal tract. [12]



Hydrolyzed Collagen Complex

Collagen is rich in essential and non-essential amino acids to help soothe and strengthen the gut lining, particularly l-glutamine. Our Hydrolyzed Collagen Complex contains five bioactive types of collagen peptides for maximum absorption and optimal results.


Symptoms that collagen may support:

  • Intestinal permeability or “leaky gut.”
  • Digestive discomfort
  • Fine lines & wrinkles
  • Dull, dry skin
  • Joint discomfort 

What does the research say?

While the benefits of collagen supplementation for digestive issues mainly stem from anecdotal reports, some evidence of specific amino acids found in collagen makes it a popular supplement for digestive tract support. 

For example, L-Glutamine has been shown to affect the gut microbiome positively, regulate intestinal inflammation, and support the gut lining! [13]



Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules & Gummies

Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a digestive health aid and remedy in traditional folk medicine! However, some people may find it hard to incorporate it into their diet due to its pungent taste and smell. To make it easier than ever to reap the benefits of ACV, we’ve formulated convenient Apple Cider Vinegar capsules or delicious gummies!  


Symptoms that Apple Cider Vinegar may support:

  • Bloating
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Upset stomach
  • Cravings
  • Blood sugar spikes
  • Stubborn weight gain

What does the research say?

Research shows that unfiltered apple cider vinegar is rich in over 90 different strains of beneficial microbes for healthy gut bacteria! [14]

The other benefits of ACV for gut health are mainly based on consistent anecdotal evidence and traditional healing paradigms, in which people often experience relief from digestive discomforts after adding it to their diet.



AdaptoZen Superfood Greens

Our AdaptoZen Superfood Greens is a serious gut health game-changer! This delicious mixed berry-flavored powder supplement is packed with fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes for total gut wellness, regularity, and a strong immune system.


Symptoms that Superfood Greens may support:

  • Digestion
  • Constipation
  • Irregularity
  • Bloating 
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Gut microbiome imbalances

What does the research say?

A randomized controlled trial found that after participants were supplemented with a digestive enzyme complex, they experienced an improvement in all symptoms related to digestion, including heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, and bloating after eating. [15]

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that fiber consumption significantly increased the frequency of bowel movements in patients suffering from constipation. [16] 

A clinical trial found that pectin may help promote a more healthy balance of gut microflora and reduce uncomfortable symptoms in those with the digestive disorder known as irritable bowel syndrome. [17]



Final Thoughts

We hope this article has helped you make the right NutriRise supplement choice based on your unique needs and that you’ll soon be experiencing a happier and healthier gut!


If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our customer advocate team at hello@nutririse.com!

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and not intended for use as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any dietary supplement. 

Zaheera Swing
Nutritional Therapist & Herbalist BSc Hons Nutritional Science + NTPD
As a qualified Nutritional Therapist (BSc Hons Nutritional Science + NTPD), Zaheera Swing has a deep passion for restoring balance and harmony to the body through the modalities of nutritional science, herbalism, and holistic lifestyle practices. Using the functional medicine model coupled with wisdom from ancient paradigms, she aims to provide insight into the underlying root causes of poor health and the holistic tools we can harness to enhance the well-being of mind, body, and spirit.
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