How To Choose The Right Supplement For Optimum Gut Health

We understand that not everyone has versed knowledge as a biologist, chemist, nutritionist, and clinical researcher. Because of this, making the decision to purchase the right supplement can be an overwhelming task. “What should I look for?”, “What works?” and “What’s harmful to my body?” are some of the questions that burden a lot of people. This blog is a guide to help you navigate through the complex sphere of gut health supplements. It will make it easier for you to find the best quality products to suit your needs.

Currently, the world of gut health is dominated by probiotics supplements. When choosing a commercial probiotic supplement or considering what your health care professional recommends, you should know the following:

• Billions Is Good

When checking out probiotic supplements DO NOT settle for anything short of 5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs). CFU is just a measure of probiotic potency. As much as millions sound like a lot, with probiotic supplements, billions are far better. Any decent probiotic supplement worth the bottle in which they are sold contains anywhere between 5 and 100 billion CFUs. If you are beginner, start by consuming probiotics with CFUs in the low billions and then work your way up. Ideally, look for a probiotic supplement whose manufacturer guarantees at least 15 billion CFUs.

• Embrace Diversity

Nothing captures the diversity of your gut quite like the billions of bacteria species that call it home. Your probiotic supplement should, therefore, contain multiple strains. Any brand supplement that contains less than 10 strains is most likely an inferior quality probiotic supplement. The strains are usually listed as proprietary blend in some brand supplements. Some examples of strains include: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Strep thermophilus and Saccharomyces boulardii strains among many others.

• Beware of Binders and Fillers

It is important to always read labels – specifically the ingredients section. Some brand supplements may contain binders and fillers that may cause inflammation and irritation in your gut. For example, lactose fillers or binders may raise issues for people with lactose intolerance. Other binders and fillers such as cornstarch is known to cause bloating and gas symptoms.

• Expiration Matters a Lot

Speaking of reading labels, checking out expiration date is crucial. The potency of strains is heavily reliant on their expiration date. Some manufacturers also advise that the probiotics be refrigerated. Read the labels clearly to understand how to store your probiotics in order to guarantee their potency.

• Natural and Organic Are Better

Natural organic supplements are generally more potent and beneficial to your body than synthetic supplements. If you are the type of person who already lives a natural and organic lifestyle free of GMO foods and artificial additives, emulate the same when looking for supplements.

Having a healthy gut microbiome is extremely important. Probiotics have multiple beneficial effects and have been proven to support better general health. If, for one reason or another, you are not meeting your probiotics needs through normal dietary consumption, taking natural probiotics supplements will help you get the job done effectively. One great option is the Happy Gut Pre + Probiotics by Nourished Essentials. With more than 15 billion CFU and 15 powerful strains, this natural potent supplement will help you develop a healthy functioning gut.