Gastrointestinal Problems? Best Supplements to Improve Digestion

Millions of people around the world experience gastrointestinal problems like bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, and poor absorption of nutrients.

According to the GI Alliance, each year a whopping 62 million Americans are diagnosed with a digestive disorder, with 20 million Americans suffering from chronic digestive diseases that necessitates 25% of all surgical operations.

And, sadly, digestive diseases are among the most prevalent causes of disability in the workforce. The reason behind it might be your unhealthy eating habits.

Causes of Bad Gut Health

The exact cause of many digestive diseases remains unknown, but a major reason for bad gut health is often attributed to insufficient intake of suitable food items that promote good digestion and improve energy and vitality.

A healthy digestive system is essential for a happy life as it helps the body absorb the required nutrients and get rid of unwanted toxins.

Treatments for these digestive diseases or “tummy problems” include following the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce and toast – all of which are easy on the stomach and beneficial in their own way, as well as resting and drinking plenty of fluids.

Besides that, if you are looking for other ways to boost your digestive power, you can consider taking nutritional supplements to alleviate digestive issues.

Supplements like UltraGI replenish along with a balanced diet, for example, can help maintain and improve gut health and promote better digestion.

Best Supplements for Gut Health

Because gut health is a major concern for people, it is highly advisable that you talk to a dietitian about what vitamins and nutrients you may be lacking in your diet, as well as talk to your doctor about whether or not taking supplements is right for you.

Once cleared by your doctor, some of the best supplement you can use for gut health include:

1. Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacterias that help keep your gut stay healthy. They can help improve digestion and also help to fight off infection. 

You can find probiotic supplements at most pharmacies and health food stores.

2. Digestive Enzymes

These are particular enzymes that help your body break down food to absorb nutrients efficiently. If you do not have enough digestive enzymes, it can lead to bloating and indigestion problems.

There are high-quality supplements available for enzyme production that can be taken along with meals after consulting with a health professional.

3. Fiber

A lack of fiber in your diet can lead to constipation and other digestion problems. Fiber is known to help to keep your gut healthy by promoting regularity and bowel health. 

You can get fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. There are also fiber supplements available if you are not getting enough fiber from food.

4. Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements like ginger, turmeric, and peppermint can help improve digestion and relieve digestive problems. 

These herbs are available in supplement form and can be taken daily.

5. Digestive Bitters

Digestive bitters are yet another form of supplement that helps to reduce bloating and improve digestion. They can be taken before meals along with a cup of herbal tea for the best results.  

Digestive bitters are available at health food stores and drugstores.

6. Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are rich in enzymes and probiotics, which help keep your gut healthy and improve digestion. 

Some fermented food examples are kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt, tempeh, and other naturally fermented vegetables.

7. Vitamin Supplements

Vitamins such as B12, A, and D are essential for healthy gut function and good digestive health. 

If you are not getting enough of these vitamins from your food, it is important to consider taking supplements. 

8. MSM

Methylsulfonylmethane, more commonly known as MSM, supplements provide sulfur that is beneficial for gut health and digestion. Sulfur also helps form collagen and keep the tissue strong in the digestive tract. 

The digestive tract requires a good amount of sulfur for optimal function.

9. Medical Food

Certain medical foods like UltraGI replenish are specifically designed to help improve gut health. 

They are available by prescription from a health professional and should only be taken under supervision.

10. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for gut health and help to reduce inflammation. They can be found in fish oils and other supplements.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve symptoms of inflammatory bowel conditions.

11. Herbal Teas

Many different herbal teas can help improve gut health and digestion. These include chamomile tea, peppermint tea, fennel tea, ginger tea, yarrow tea, etc.

In Conclusion

As you can now tell, nutritional supplements can bring a host of benefits as they provide beneficial bacteria, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other essential nutrients not received through diet.

The right supplements can help your body absorb the nutrients it needs and efficiently get rid of waste, while also helping to improve digestion and boost gut health. 

However, make sure you take supplements under the supervision of a qualified medical professional, and do your research before purchasing them for best results.