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Gastrointestinal FAQs

Strengthen your gut and boost overall health with gut health supplements. After all, health starts in the gut. Even mental health can trace its way back to the digestive tract.

 

  • Why is gut health important?

    Feeling lethargic? Losing sleep? You might have a digestive problem. The gut affects the entire body, after all.

    Gut health is all about keeping the digestive system, particularly the gastrointestinal tract, working properly. Trillions of tiny organisms—namely, bacteria, fungi, and viruses—live in the gut. Collectively, these organisms are known as the gut microbiome or gut flora.

    When beneficial bacteria—hello, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium—outnumber harmful ones, the gut microbiome is considered balanced. This balance is critical for good health, and it supports various bodily functions, including:

    Nutrient absorption

    • Function: Break down food into nutrients that the body can absorb.
    • Importance: A healthy gut has a strong lining or intestinal barrier that prevents undigested food particles or toxins from leaking into the bloodstream.

    Immune system support

    Mood regulation

    • Function: Produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which influence mood, sleep, and overall mental health.
    • Importance: There's a direct link between the digestive tract and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis. A gut microbiome that isn't balanced can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.

    Metabolic health

    • Function: Influence how the body stores fat and responds to insulin. Produce hormones that signal fullness or hunger to the brain.
    • Importance: An imbalance in gut bacteria can affect the metabolism and lead to weight gain.

    Protection against disease

    • Function: Protect the body from harmful pathogens and various health issues, including digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and even some cancers.
    • Importance: A balanced gut microbiome is crucial for overall health.
  • Is it worth taking gut health supplements?

    Yes, taking quality gut health supplements can improve gut health. These supplements often contain probiotics, prebiotics, fiber, and digestive enzymes that help balance the gut microbiome.

  • Should you take digestive health supplements?

    If you have digestive issues like irregular bowel movements, acid reflux, bloating, or indigestion, gut support supplements might help. However, choose a digestive health supplement that addresses your specific needs. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.

  • Is it better to take probiotics or digestive enzymes?

    Probiotics and digestive enzymes both benefit gut health but in different ways. Probiotics are good bacteria that promote gut balance, while digestive enzymes help break down food and absorb nutrients.

    Depending on your situation, you can benefit from one or both, but it's always a good idea to check with your doctor.

    Scenarios where probiotic supplements can help:

    • After antibiotic use
    • When you have digestive issues like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or IBS
    • To boost immunity during times of illness or when you're at risk of infection
    • To manage skin conditions like acne or eczema

    Scenarios where digestive enzyme supplements can help:

    • If you're lactose-intolerant
    • You have IBS
    • You have difficulty digesting fats as a result of certain medications or medical conditions
  • Which vitamins are good for gut health?

    Certain vitamins can benefit the gastrointestinal or GI tract. Examples of gut health vitamins include:

    Vitamin D

    • Function: Keeps the gut lining strong, helps regulate the gut's immune response, supports the production of antimicrobial peptides that help balance the gut flora
    • Sources: Exposure to sunlight, fortified foods, fatty fish, and supplements

    Vitamin A

    • Function: Strengthens the gut barrier, helps produce immune cells that protect the gut
    • Sources: Liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, fortified foods, and supplements

    Vitamin C

    • Function: Helps reduce gut inflammation, supports gut lining repair
    • Sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, and supplements

    B vitamins

    • Function: Strengthen the gut lining, help produce enough digestive enzymes
    • Sources: Whole grains, meat, eggs, dairy products, leafy green vegetables, legumes, and supplements

    Vitamin E

    • Function: Protects the gut lining from oxidative damage
    • Sources: Nuts, seeds, spinach, vegetable oils, and supplements

    Vitamin K2

    • Function: Works in conjunction with vitamin D to improve gut function
    • Sources: Fermented foods, dairy products, meat, and supplements

    You can get vitamins for gut health from various foods, but if your diet isn't giving you enough, supplements can help. But remember, consult with your doctor before taking any digestive vitamins or other forms of supplements for digestion.

  • What is the #1 substance to help heal the gut?

    L-glutamine is an amino acid that supports gut health and helps repair the gut lining, especially for individuals with leaky gut syndrome. It also helps ensure the immune system is properly functioning.

    You can find L-glutamine in foods like beef, chicken, eggs, fish, dairy products, tofu, beans, and leafy greens. Gut health supplements can also help if your diet isn't enough.

  • How can I improve my gut health?

    Improving gut health involves thoughtful lifestyle and dietary practices, such as:

    Healthy diet

    Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These are high in fiber content, which helps with digestion and the cultivation of beneficial gut bacteria. Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut contain high amounts of probiotics, which help improve overall gut health.

    Adequate hydration

    Stay well-hydrated to keep food moving through the GI tract. Drink plenty of water, and eat hydrating foods like watermelon and cucumber.

    Stress management

    Chronic stress can disrupt the gut-brain axis and upset gut microbiome balance. Manage stress with yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity.

    Probiotic and prebiotic supplements

    Probiotics are good bacteria that benefit the gut, while prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that feed these bacteria.

  • What is the best supplement for digestive health?

    Probiotics are considered the best supplements for digestive health because they help balance the gut flora. Other supplements for gut health include digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and fiber.

    InfiniWell’s supplement for gut health, GI Prime, contains not just probiotics but also prebiotics and postbiotics (the byproducts that probiotics produce during the fermentation process), all of which help balance the gut microbiome.

    Note that although supplements have beneficial effects, they may not be right for everyone. Check with your healthcare provider before taking any.

  • What are the symptoms of an unhealthy gut?

    Symptoms of an unhealthy gut to note:

    • Gas, bloating, constipation, heartburn, and intolerance to certain foods
    • Mood changes, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and depression
    • Skin issues like acne, eczema, and psoriasis
    • Unintentional weight loss or gain
    • Fatigue and low energy levels

    If you have any of these symptoms, you may have a gut health issue. See a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

  • How can I improve my gut digestion?

    Some tips to improve digestive health:

    • Eat a high-fiber diet that includes oats, legumes, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts.
    • Chew food thoroughly. In fact, one common advice is to chew your food 32 times. Of course, this is an arbitrary number—some food may have to be chewed more or fewer times.
    • Avoid overeating. It makes your body work harder and redirects blood flow from the rest of the body to your digestive system, which can make you feel tired or sluggish.
    • Stay hydrated. This helps break down food into nutrients for the body to absorb. Plus, water makes stool softer, preventing constipation.
    • Consider prebiotics and fiber supplements, such as InfiniWell’s BPC 157 peptide supplement (with your doctor's approval).