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Our Choice: Gut Health Supplements 2024
Dive into the exciting world of one of the hottest supplements right now - gut health supplements. Discover the Do's and Dont's when choosing gut health supplements as well as the benefits. See our top picks this year at the bottom of the page.
Once upon a time, the digestive system was widely viewed as a pretty simple and straightforward system in our body… But if you’ve ever experienced gut-related issues, you already know that can be anything but simple… In fact, getting to the root cause of gut and gut-related symptoms can very quickly become an incredibly frustrating and confusing process.
It All Starts In Your Gut
Bloating, constipation, indigestion? Acne or other skin issues? It may be stemming from your gut. Feeling run down and sluggish? It could also be related to your gut.[1, 2, 3]
Researchers have become increasingly interested in exploring the gut and its role in so many major areas of our health. But it seems like we’re only just beginning to scratch the surface when it comes to truly understanding the immensely complex connection between gut microbiome health and its impact on our overall well-being.[1, 2, 3]
What Exactly Is Your Gut Microbiome?
Whenever you see the term “gut microbiome,” it’s referring to all of the microorganisms living within your gut. Some of them may be potentially harmful, so-called “bad” bacteria. On the other hand, some are thought to be beneficial, often called “good” or “friendly” bacteria.[1, 2, 3, 4]
Researchers believe that having optimal gut health typically means having a good balance between the “bad” bacteria and the “good’ bacteria. Ideally, they should co-exist peacefully within the gut.[1, 2, 3, 4]
Why Is The Gut Microbiome Important?
The gut microbiome plays so many essential roles in the human body, it’s sometimes referred to as “a supporting organ”. It can affect many aspects of health, ranging from the gut to the immune system to brain health.[3]
Everyone’s gut microbiome is entirely unique and can be impacted by things like diet and our surrounding environment.[5]
It’s likely that our modern lifestyles may have been wreaking havoc on our gut microbiota for years. Eating more processed and sugary foods, experiencing more stress, sleeping less, and being more sedentary, can all contribute to imbalance in the gut microbiome.[1, 2, 3, 4]
How To Support Your Gut Health
Changing your diet, sleeping more, avoiding stressful situations, exercising and avoiding sugar might sound simple but aren't always as easy to follow through with.
That's why some people may turn to supplements such as probiotics and prebiotics to support their gut health.* Some potential benefits of probiotics and prebiotics include:
Probiotics + Prebiotics = Postbiotics
Haven’t heard of postbiotics? You’re most definitely not alone. A fairly new term in the health and wellness world, researchers have recently begun exploring the potential of postbiotics when it comes to supporting the gut.
Postbiotics are what’s created when “good” gut bacteria feeds on prebiotic fibers. In other words, prebiotics + probiotics = postbiotics.
Postbiotics are what’s left at the end, once the “good” bacteria has fed on fiber (prebiotics). They include a number of substances and nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins, as well as short-chain fatty acids.
Short-chain fatty acids are a particularly interesting type of postbiotic because they are thought to contribute to supporting gut health. This is because studies suggest that they can help the “friendly” bacteria flourish in the gut. One of the most prevalent of these is called butyrate, which is believed to support both gut and intestinal health.*
Common Ingredients In Gut Support Supplements
Probiotics
Prebiotics
Synbiotics
Postbiotics
Digestive enzymes
Try To Avoid:
Uncertain CFU count
Lack of Third-Party Testing
Extremely Low or High Price
Our Choice Gut Health Supplements 2024
BOTTOM LINE
Gut Restore by Primal Harvest is an all-in-one gut support formula that contains pre-, pro- and postbiotics. It is formulated with the trademarked CoreBiome™️ tributyrin postbiotic, 3 billion CFUs of B. Longum BB536® probiotics, and xyliooligosaccharide prebiotics. Our team thoughts that the capsules are easy to swallow and liked the two-capsule serving size as it made it easy to add to our supplement routine. All in all, we felt that this product offered everything we were looking for in a gut supplement, making it our favorite from the products we tried.
Additionally, the formula is third-party lab-tested and made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients in a GMP-certified facility. To top it off, they’re backed by a 90-day money-back guarantee. We thought the product was fairly priced, especially when you buy multiple bottles or sign up for the brand’s easy and convenient subscription service.
BOTTOM LINE
Bio Complete 3 by GundryMD contains a blend of pre, pro, and postbiotics. While this product has a comprehensive formula, the serving size is 4 capsules which may not be so convenient for someone to take each day. You may also want to note that at $69.95, this option is a little pricier than some of the others on this list.
BOTTOM LINE
Zupoo by UMZU is formulated with extracts including Cascara Sagrada, bentonite clay, aloe ferox, milk thistle, and cayenne pepper extract. The product contains sustainably sourced ingredients and is produced in a CGMP-certified facility, it does not contain any probiotics, prebiotics, or postbiotics. Additionally, it is fairly expensive when considering that one bottle only contains a 15-day supply.
BOTTOM LINE
Flatter Me by HUM Nutrition combines extracts from ginger, fennell, and peppermint with 18 digestive enzymes. It should be taken before meal times. Although it contains digestive enzymes and a range of extracts, it does not contain pro- and postbiotics. The fact that it needs to be taken before meals may be inconvenient for some users as they would need to carry the product around with them.
BOTTOM LINE
Synbiotics by BeLive is a prebiotic and probiotic formula that comes in flavored gummy form. Although these gummies include bacillus coagulans and prebiotic fiber, they are formulated without postbiotics and are therefore a 2-in-1 formula. Those watching their sugar intake may also want to note that these gummies contain tapioca syrup and sugar.
CITATIONS
DISCLAIMER: This scientific research is for informational purposes only. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Primal Harvest provides this information as a service but does not endorse it. This information should not be read to recommend or endorse any specific products.
1. Integrative HMP (iHMP) Research Network Consortium. “The Integrative Human Microbiome Project: dynamic analysis of microbiome-host omics profiles during periods of human health….” Cell host & microbe vol. 16,3 (2014): 276-89. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2014.08.014
2. Sender, Ron et al. “Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body.” PLoS biology vol. 14,8 e1002533. 19 Aug. 2016, doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002533
3. Durack, Juliana, and Susan V Lynch. “The gut microbiome… opportunities for therapy.” The Journal of experimental medicine vol. 216,1 (2019): 20-40. doi:10.1084/jem.20180448
4. Al Bander, Zahraa et al. “The Gut Microbiota…An Overview.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 17,20 7618. 19 Oct. 2020, doi:10.3390/ijerph17207618
To see a list of our other references, please click here.
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Note: The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have, expect to have, or suspect you may have any medical condition, you are urged to consult with a health care provider. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. * Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
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