Support Your Digestive System and Gut Health

"Trust Your Gut" is a familiar saying with a double meaning. We've all "trusted our gut" in certain situations when we don't have all the information or can't logically explain our choices. That saying also has a literal meaning...

Your digestive system, or gut, is essential for your survival, as it is responsible for providing the body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. Without a functioning digestive system, your body wouldn't be able to absorb the nutrients it needs to maintain health and vitality. This complex network of organs and tissues knows what it's doing!

What exactly is your gut doing?

The gut microbiome is a collection of tiny living organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that live in our digestive system (our gut). These organisms are so small that we can't see them with our eyes, but they play a big role in keeping our body healthy. In fact, there are trillions of these organisms living in our gut!

These tiny organisms help our body in many ways. They help us digest our food and absorb important nutrients, they help our immune system fight off harmful bacteria and viruses, and they even play a role in our mood and mental health. When the gut microbiome is healthy and balanced, it helps keep our body healthy and happy.

Essential for Survival

Your digestive system is a complex network of organs and tissues that work together to break down food into nutrients that the body can absorb and use for energy, growth, and repair. It begins in your mouth, where food is chewed and mixed with saliva, and ends in your rectum, where waste products are stored before being eliminated from the body.

The digestive system is essential for survival, as it is responsible for providing the body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. Without a functioning digestive system, your body would not be able to absorb the nutrients it needs to maintain health and vitality.

It also plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy immune system. Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiome, which play a vital role in regulating the immune system and protecting the body from harmful pathogens.

 

Seratonin - The "Happy Hormone"

The microbiome also plays a role in the production of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, which is often referred to as the “happy hormone.” An estimated 90% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut, underscoring the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiome for overall mental health and wellbeing. If our microbiome is healthy, it can help keep our brain healthy too.

A Growing Interest in Dietary Supplements

As we mentioned in a recent blog, many consumers are sticking with or turning to dietary supplements since the pandemic started.

Interest in one type, digestive supplements, is growing as people learn more about the gut microbiome and the role it plays in overall health and wellness.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Adding dietary supplements such as probiotics and prebiotics can also helpful in supporting a healthy microbiome.  Probiotics, for example, are live microorganisms that can help to replenish beneficial bacteria in the gut.

These microorganisms can be found in a variety of foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods. They can also be taken as dietary supplements. When choosing a probiotic supplement, it is important to look for one that contains a diverse range of microorganisms, including both lactobacilli and bifidobacteria strains. It is also important to choose a supplement that contains a sufficient amount of microorganisms, typically measured in colony-forming units (CFUs).

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are non-digestible dietary fibers that provide nourishment for beneficial bacteria in the gut. They can be found in a variety of foods, such as onions, garlic, asparagus, bananas, and oats. They can also be taken as dietary supplements in the form of capsules, powders, or liquids.

Supplements to Support Digestive and Gut Health

At Naturally Botanicals, we  offer all-natural herbal, nutritional and vitamin supplements that help support your digestion and digestive health. These include:
•   Supreme Probiotics by Dynamic Nutritional Associates (DNA Labs) is designed to support the many health benefits of your gastrointestinal tract. According to the World Health Organization, probiotics are “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” Two capsules of Supreme Probiotics  contain 8 billion organisms that include
    Lactobacillus acidophilus
    Bifidobacterium lactis
    Lactobacillus casei
    Lactobacillus rhamnosus
•  Flora Norm by Professional Botanicals is doctor-formulated to support the body’s ability to maintain healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. Good and bad bacteria cannot effectively coexist in your digestive tract. The bad bacteria cause intestinal troubles, while the good bacteria break food down. Flora Norm's 12-Strain Probiotic Mix maintains a healthy balance in the intestines to ensure an effective digestive process.
•  Leaky Gut by Professional Botanicals is doctor-formulated to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal system. Are you constantly worried about how the food you eat will upset your stomach? Leaky Gut maintains a healthy stomach and intestinal tract for optimal digestive health. Safe, powerful and effective.
•  D-108 Lactonell Rx West German Homeopathic Formula by Dynamic Nutritional Associates (DNA Labs) helps in maintaining healthy flora in the lower bowel

Other supplements for digestive support include:
• Candida-X2 by Professional Botanicals supports the body's immune system & promotes a healthy immune response. Candida-X2 supports your body’s natural ability to restore good flora bacteria and eliminate invasive overgrowth and infections.
• ELMNEX by Dynamic Nutritional Associates (DNA Labs), designed as nutritional support for internal cleansing,  is formulated to give the maximum cleansing action without harsh chemicals and substances. ELMNEX leaves behind millions of friendly bacteria to protect the digestive tract.
• Ultimate Fiber by Professional Botanicals was specifically created to support the prebiotic needs of a healthy digestive system. Ultimate Fiber is a soluble and insoluble dietary fiber that supports optimal health.

 

Hints to Maintain a Healthy Digestive System

It’s important to remember that the relationship between the digestive system and the microbiome is crucial for maintaining overall health. A healthy microbiome is essential for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as for regulating the immune system and preventing chronic diseases.

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as eating a diet rich in whole foods and fiber, drinking plenty of water, managing stress, and minimizing exposure to environmental toxins, as well as using dietary supplements to support a healthy microbiome, can help to maintain digestive health and promote overall wellbeing. Remember, trust your gut!

Feel better the natural way...with Naturally Botanicals.

  _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Note: The content of this article, and additional content on this website, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking help because of something you read here on this website.