Digestive Supplements

How Digestive Supplements Support Your Well-Being

Digestion is the process of mechanically and enzymatically breaking down the foods and liquids we eat into smaller constituents (fats, carbohydrates, and protein) and converting them into energy and essential nutrients to support the body's myriad different processes. Healthy digestion can feed the entire body and is the foundation of good health. Unfortunately, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), there is an increasing prevalence of digestive diseases on a global level. According to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, more than 20 million Canadians every year struggle with digestive disorders, including lactose intolerance and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Luckily there are an abundance of digestive supporting supplements available.

Common Digestive Conditions Include:

• Celiac disease
• Food allergies/sensitivities
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Gallstones, cholangitis, or cholecystitis
• Narrowing of the esophagus
• Rectal problems, such as hemorrhoids
• Stomach issues, including ulcers and gastritis
• Pancreatitis
• Liver disease
• Intestinal problems, including polyps, infections, celiac disease, and Chron’s disease
• Reflux issues (GERD)

Overhauling one's diet and addressing lifestyle habits that contribute to or aggravate digestive disorders is the first place to start. Supplementation can also be of precious benefit to help mitigate GI symptoms, promote better digestion, and improve overall health. Below are some of the most common digestive support supplements (by no means an exhaustive list!)

Essential Supplements For Digestive Health

Bile Salts – allow the body to excrete cholesterol and potentially toxic compounds, such as bilirubin and drug metabolites. They are a great digestive supplement option because they can promote better digestion, absorption of fats and other nutrients, and better gallbladder and liver function.

Bitters – digestive bitters are concentrated blends of bitter botanicals (herbs, spices, barks, fruits, flowers, and roots) that wake up the digestive system and help stimulate the secretion of powerful digestive juices, making them a great choice when shopping for digestive supplements.

Enzymes – assist in the digestion of all foods (carbs, protein, fats) and help improve nutrient absorption. They can be used to soothe symptoms such as intestinal gas, bloating & other digestive discomforts, which makes them a great digestive supplement.

Fibre Supplements – are an essential part of a healthy diet. Dietary fibre is found in plants and is not digestible by the enzymes in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Gut Support – are blends of herbals, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that help improve intestinal function, promote regularity, and can help alleviate GI symptoms associated with digestive problems. Fibre can help promote gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health, decrease the prevalence of obesity, improve glycemic control, and optimize lipid profile, which makes it a well rounded digestive supplement choice.

Probiotics – are beneficial bacteria that are naturally present in the digestive tract. They are essential for proper digestion, assimilation, and synthesis of nutrients inside the body. They are often used to improve GI symptoms and restore microbiome balance, making them an excellent digestive supplement choice.

Final Thoughts On Digestive Supplements

Digestive health is complex and involves a range of factors, that's why there's a range of digestive supplements available. Many foods and other substances we consume can affect intestinal balance and function. Overly processed foods, for instance, alcohol, medications, and tobacco, are all highly damaging to our gut health and can damage the digestive lining, compromising how well we digest foods and affecting other bodily functions. Stress, anxiety, lack of sleep and a sedentary lifestyle can further compromise the health of our digestive tract.

An effective approach to digestive health should include a fresh, clean, and nutritious diet, regular exercise, effective stress management, and quality gut health supplements. If you aren’t sure what supplements may benefit your unique health status and needs, seek the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.