Digestive Supplements

What are supplements for digestive health?

Your digestion is an involved process, and even with our best efforts, sometimes we need a little help to make every gut feeling a good feeling. To keep your digestive health on "tract," it's a good idea to add digestive health supplements to your routine. These supplements help address every part of the digestive process, including general health, gastrointestinal health, gastric discomfort and your microbiome.

For general digestive health, look to fiber supplements and enzymes for digestion—they're especially important for those on plant-based diets or who have more difficulty absorbing hard-to-digest foods. For GI health, try formulas that fight occasional constipation, like the combination of vitamin C and magnesium. And when it comes to protecting against gastric discomfort, artichoke and ginger extract, fennel seed oil and turmeric or zinc L-carnosine might be your best bets.

Which supplements help with your gut microbiome?

For a healthy gut microbiome, your first choice should be a targeted probiotic. Probiotics influence and support the health of your gut microbiome, the collection of microorganisms (including gut bacteria) and their genetic material that make a home in your gastrointestinal system. Because the microorganisms in your bacteria are involved in specific functions that are critical for your well-being, it's important to choose the right probiotic to help your gut microbiome flourish—literally!

Are probiotics good for your digestive health?

Yes! Probiotics aren't only good for your digestive health, they're essential! Taking probiotics to maintain a healthy microbiome balance can support optimal digestion and nutrient absorption. And the gut is connected to more than you think. When you support digestive health, you're supporting whole-body health. This includes mood and immune health, and even oral, heart and liver health. While probiotics can be found in some of the foods you eat, like yogurt or cheese, you typically can't get what you need from food alone.

It's also important to know that not all probiotic strains are made alike. Different strains have different health benefits—including for the various parts of your digestive system. Probiotics for digestive health range from those that support regularity to specific strains for your GI tract. When it comes to digestive health, look for a combination of several strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

Is it important to take a prebiotic with a probiotic?

Even though you can get plenty of benefits from a probiotic, taking it with a prebiotic is definitely a smart way to get the most out of both supplements' benefits. Because probiotics are living microorganisms, they require nutrients that help fuel all the healthy flora in your intestines. Prebiotics—non-digestible fibers that operate as food for probiotics and promote the growth of healthy gut microorganisms—fill in that gap.

Easy Fiber (item #02514): This supplement should be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise program. Individual results are not guaranteed, and results may vary.