A well-balanced, fibre-rich, fermented diet is essential for gut health, but when this is not possible or when there is a disturbance in gut health, supplements can help restore and maintain a healthy microbiome. Probiotics for gut health are among the most widely used supplements, providing live beneficial bacteria to the gut. These bacteria assist in restoring the microbiome, reduce inflammation, and treat digestive problems, including constipation or diarrhoea.4
Prebiotics are another important type of supplement. Unlike probiotics, which are live bacteria, prebiotics are the foods that those microbes can consume. These are usually fibres that nourish beneficial bacteria. Synbiotics, a combination of prebiotics and probiotics, are frequently the most effective for gut health.5
Choosing the Best Gut Health Supplement
When selecting the best probiotics for gut health, look for strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces boulardii which improve the diversity of gut bacteria and have been well-researched for their health benefits such as strengthening the intestinal barrier, and the immune system. It’s also important to choose a supplement with a high colony-forming unit (CFU) count, which indicates how many bacterial cells you will receive in one dose. A common advice is to choose probiotics with at least 1 billion colony-forming units and the one with a protective coating so that the bacteria survive stomach acid.6
For prebiotics, choose products with ingredients like fructooligosaccharides (FOS) to nourish your gut bacteria.5
The Path to Improved Gut Health
Probiotic and Prebiotic supplements function best with a nutritious diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods. Food for gut health includes yoghurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, as well as prebiotics like garlic, banana, and onions.5,6
A combination of such diet and supplementation can be extremely beneficial to your gut health. By caring for your gut, you’re investing in a healthier, happier you!
