From heartburn to bloating, many adults complain of frequent gastrointestinal problems. Unfortunately, unlike many other systems, GI complaints and the resultant diagnoses are often quite imprecise. Instead of an issue with a clear etiology, patients receive diagnoses like leaky gut syndrome and IBS, which don’t have a definite cause or treatment. What, then, can patients do? In many cases, patients’ best recourse can be found in digestive health supplements.
Probiotic Power
Among the best-known supplement options for patients struggling with GI problems are probiotics – beneficial bacteria that support digestion but can easily fall out of balance. There are many different types of probiotics on the market, in different dosages and bacterial strains, and probiotics are also found in foods like yogurt and kimchi.
Probiotics can be an effective treatment for leaky gut syndrome, minimizing bloating, absorption issues, and other related complaints. In addition to bacterial imbalance, leaky gut can also be irritated by stress, antibiotic use, and can cause overall immune dysfunction, which is why it’s so important to address.
Added Enzymes
To effectively digest your food, your body uses various digestive enzymes from your pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. For some people, though, these natural enzymes need an added boost. Using a probiotic in combination with digestive enzymes like Bio X4 can improve nutrient absorption while supporting weight loss, and also provide an energy boost. Since sluggish digestion can weigh you down – literally and figuratively – many people find that adding some digestive enzymes to their supplement strategy makes a big difference.
Plant-Based Prebiotics
Everyone knows about probiotics, but many overlook the importance of prebiotics. In fact, for probiotics to colonize the GI tract and yield the expected health benefits, you need to introduce prebiotics first.
Prebiotic fiber is easily obtained from common foods like onions, apple skins, and beans, but despite its natural availability, not everyone gets enough fructan and inulin in their diets. If you’ve been taking probiotics but not noticing a difference, you may find that taking a prebiotic supplement containing fructooligosaccharides (FOS) or xylooligosaccharides (XOS) can help make them more effective.
Ease IBS Pain
Irritable bowel syndrome, typically referred to simply as IBS, is a very common diagnosis, and it can produce a variety of GI symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Though there isn’t a lot of research into the safety or mechanism of peppermint oil, many people find that enteric coated peppermint oil capsules relieve some of the pain and bloating caused by IBS. In fact, peppermint is generally a very popular remedy for GI complaints, easing nausea when used externally as an essential oil or consumed as tea.
Conquer Constipation
People can suffer from constipation for a number of reasons, including consuming a diet insufficient in fiber and not drinking enough water, but for others, constipation is a constant companion regardless of dietary changes.
One solution to this problem is to take magnesium supplements, particularly in the form of magnesium citrate. Though just about any form of magnesium can be helpful, magnesium citrate can quickly improve constipation by causing the intestines to move more quickly. It’s important not to take too much magnesium, however, as it can lead to diarrhea.
For many people, tackling digestive problems is a lifelong struggle involving diet changes, supplements, and medications, but over time you may find it’s easier to maintain your gut health. Properly balanced intestinal flora, in particular, form the backbone of good GI health, and once established, that’s a difference you can feel.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
