The relevance of gut health has grown in recent years as researchers and medical practitioners understand its critical role in overall well-being. A complex ecology of bacteria that substantially impacts our digestion, immune system, and even mental health lives in our gastrointestinal tract, also known as the “gut.” Numerous variables, including our nutrition, way of life, and the ratio of good to bad bacteria, affect how healthy our guts are. We have a number of ways to maintain our gut health, and one of them is by taking gut health supplements.
In this article, we delve into the importance of our gut health and discover how we can improve and maintain it.
What is Gut Health?
The term “gut” pertains to our whole gastrointestinal system, which extends from the mouth to the rectum. Our digestive system functions like a continuous tube that absorbs nutrients, digests food, and eliminates waste. It consists of the colon, both large and small intestines, and the stomach. The microbiome of our gut comprises helpful organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and yeast throughout the gut. Both the bad and good bacteria should balance each other out. However, dysbiosis—an imbalance—can be brought on by dietary and lifestyle decisions.
Why Is It Important to Take Care of Our Gut Health?
Most people believe that the gut facilitates nutrient absorption, transforms food into energy, and regulates bodily processes like bowel motions. Although this is true, the stomach affects some bodily processes and systems, including the immune system, the skin, and even cognitive and mental well-being. The microbes that make up our microbiome are nourished by what we eat. While certain meals foster beneficial bacteria, some feed the nasty ones. A healthy microbiome can enhance the gut’s integrity, making it robust and enabling improved functioning.
The positive aspect of this is that we have control over how well our guts function. By ingesting foods that support the microbiome’s health, one can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. Having an appropriate diet rich in fibre and macronutrients such as nutritious carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is one action that may be taken to assist.
It’s recommended to avoid consuming meals that have been heavily processed and those that include a lot of sugar because doing so can “feed” harmful bacteria and upset the balance in our gut’s biome. A healthy gut is one in which the proportion of beneficial bacteria to harmful bacteria is balanced, and the former does not outnumber the latter. Maintaining a healthy balance of gut flora has several positive health effects, such as decreasing the possibility of obesity and lowering inflammatory conditions, which can exacerbate heart disease.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Gut Health Supplements?
By taking gut health supplements, you are doing your gut a favour by keeping it in a healthy state. Healthy bacteria help your immune system work properly and reduce inflammation, which keeps you healthy. Some varieties of beneficial bacteria can also:
- Make vitamins.
- Aid in supporting the cells of your gut lining in prevention of bad bacteria that may have been ingested through drinks and foods.
- Help your body digest food.
- Break down and absorb medications.
- Keep bad bacteria from getting out of control and making you sick.
What Are Some Supplements to Take For Healthier Gut Health?
Here are some supplements you can take to maintain your gut health:
1. Prebiotics
Prebiotics are indigestible fibres and food ingredients that help support healthy gut flora. Short-chain fatty acids and other probiotic metabolites are created during fermentation by gut bacteria from prebiotic fibres. Your gut lining then utilises these substances to flourish and keep its strength. These substances can also be distributed throughout the rest of your body, where they can, among other things, help with the management of cholesterol and your cardiovascular system.
2. Probiotics
Healthy, living yeasts and bacteria are also referred to as probiotics, and they can be ingested by eating foods that are fermented or taking certain probiotic supplements. Moreover, increased quantities of bacteria that are already living within the stomach may be achieved through ingesting probiotics supplements that can give additional bacteria.
3. Zinc
Based on earlier studies, the benefits of zinc are related to its connection in the promotion of immune health and maintenance of creating a sturdy lining for the digestive tract.
4. Licorice Root
Due to the flavonoid concentration of licorice root and its capacity to lessen irritability and sporadic indigestion, it can be calming for the digestive system. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) may be the best form to take because licorice root itself has blood pressure-raising effects.
5. Fibre
Fibre can enter our colons and help facilitate pleasant and regular bowel motions as it resists breakdown in the digestive enzymes’ presence. It can provide necessary nutrients for the gut, collect specimens for stool disposal, and regulate sufficient levels of water in the body to make faeces pass easier.
6. VSL3
The good bacteria in VSL 3 Capsules are GI protective and help maintain the health of the gastrointestinal tract (intestines and stomach). It treats ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, which have symptoms such as stomach discomfort, cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation.
7. Collagen Peptides
Collagen peptides Australia is not just a dietary supplement for our skin, nails, and hair. In fact, it also promotes intestinal health. It strengthens the gut lining and is a primary building block of certain connective tissues, including the tendons, blood vessels, bones, skin, and the lining of our digestive tract.
8. Zeolite
Zeolite pills can support the gut by regulating metabolism, promoting healthy digestion, and alleviating gastric symptoms, such as ulcers in the stomach and gastritis. Additionally, they assist the liver in its efforts to eliminate toxic substances and other poisons.
Final Thoughts
Supporting your gut is a worthwhile cause since gut health affects many other aspects of your health, such as nervous system activity, cardiovascular function, and immunological function. Gut health supplements may help restore gut balance in a number of ways, including strengthening the gut lining, promoting healthy digestion, and maintaining the balance of the gut bacteria.