Gut Health Supplements - Do You Know Which Ones Are Right For You?

Unless you’ve been living off the grid, you’ve probably heard about the ‘importance of gut health’ conversation. Or have seen the slew of gut health supplements and brands popping up. Everyone’s getting on board and for good reason - having a happy gut is not only crucial for your health but can also be the very thing that gives you the edge in your training and performance. Just like your muscles need daily maintenance with exercise, your gut needs the same level of attention to improve and thrive.

Doing a little gut investigation isn’t just for people suffering with IBS symptoms - everyone stands to gain something from a gut overhaul (yep, even if you’re super-duper healthy). Having a healthy gut can help fight infection, decrease the risk of getting sick, boost our energy levels, improve sleep, nutrient absorption and even lead to better-looking skin. If you’re someone who’s pretty keen on maximising your health and training, taking a deeper look at your gut microbiome could be the missing piece of the puzzle.

Heard of ‘microbiome’, but no idea what it means? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Simply put, a microbiome is the community of microbes that live inside the human body. Your gut is home to thousands of living bacteria and trillions (yes, trillions) of microorganisms that help break down the foods you eat, plus keep your immune system and digestive tract happy. However, your gut microbiome is pretty darn sensitive - even a slight imbalance can cause an array of issues. Sometimes simple things like food, stress and medication can introduce chaos into a very delicate environment. So, what should you do?

Improving your gut health requires awareness, continual tweaking and support through supplementation. But before you run out and grab every game-changing gut health supplement, we’ll help you figure out which one is the best fit for you.

Probiotics aren’t mandatory in order to promote good gut health, but they can be a great support for getting things back on track. Gone through an emotionally stressful time and noticed how ‘sensitive’ your stomach is? Had a bout of antibiotics recently? Perhaps an excess of sugar or alcohol and now your digestion feels out of whack?

If you’ve experienced a general hiccup in your digestive system due to an unhealthy balance of bad bacteria, a probiotic can swoop in and get everything back in balance. But bear in mind, there’s no one size fits all with probiotics. If you’re needing them for a specific purpose, have a chat to your doctor before beginning a regime.

When most of us hear ‘collagen’, we tend to think it’s just for hair, skin, and nails. Don’t be fooled, friends! Collagen does a heck of a lot more than just making your hair grow. Collagen is a protein, containing the amino acids perfect for digestion, reducing inflammation and creating a gut barrier to keep the nasties out. Not only that, but collagen helps protects our joints and prevents bone loss. This is crucial as we get older, but also for those of us smashing out our daily workouts. Unfortunately, not enough of us are able to get adequate collagen from food, so investing in a collagen supplement is one of the best things you can do for your gut this year.  Add it to a smoothie, your morning coffee, or even your overnight oats! 

Another gem in the amino acid family, Glutamine supports our intestines and supported intestines = happy intestines. Glutamine’s main function is providing fuel for our immune cells - meaning it strengthens our immune system. It’s also an excellent recovery booster - helping combat muscle soreness after intense exercise. If you’re looking to get just one gut health supplement, Glutamine is a great place to start. You can get more out of your time in the gym without worrying about burn out! Mix it with water or add it to your post-workout shake - and if you’re ordering one of our smoothies, you can add it on to your order. 

Whether you add the root to your cooking, sip on ginger tea, or swallow a concentrated capsule, ginger is an undeniable powerhouse for digestive issues because it helps reduce the growth of unwanted bacteria. Ginger is also the tried and tested go-to for combating an upset stomach, nausea, digestion, reducing muscle soreness, and inflammation as well as boosting immunity. If you want to say adios to a sore tummy without the strong aftertaste check out Galenic Health Charred Ginger - it contains activated charcoal, perfect for eliminating toxins, especially in the intestinal tract. 

Pre and probiotics are a match made in bacterial heaven. Prebiotics are types of non-digestible carbs that help the growth and development of probiotics (the good bacteria). However, not all prebiotics are created equal. Many feed the good and bad bacteria in our gut, causing gas, bloating, and can irritate the stomach lining.

That’s where Genuine Health Fermented Organic Gut Superfoods mix comes in. It’s made from 21 organic plant-based superfoods, doesn’t irritate the gut, and is fully fermented for easy digestion. 

If you’ve worked out the probiotic part of the equation, but are neglecting the prebiotic’s, this is an easy fix!

If you’re dealing with food sensitivities or digestion issues, we’ve got the extra support you might need. Digestive Enzymes help your gut properly break down food that’s harder to digest. They make it possible to absorb all the nutrients from your food - so you can have peace of mind knowing all the effort you’re putting in with healthy eating, is actually paying off.

Digestive Enzymes also help relieve some uncomfortable symptoms caused by digestion - gas, bloating, constipation and all that other ‘fun stuff’.

If your nutrition is on track, but you’re having trouble breaking down those fats, carbs and proteins, try these. Something little really can go a long way - they’re a gut saver!

 Still deciding which gut health supplement is right for you?

Drop into one of our stores for a chat with our friendly floor staff. We’ve got plenty of products and would love to help you find your perfect match.