In an ideal world, we’d get all of the vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients our bodies need purely from the foods we eat and drink. But the truth is that most of us can’t – and that’s where supplements come into the picture.

Supplements are not intended to replace good nutrition and healthy eating habits; they are, as their name states, intended to fill in the missing “bits” in our diet, that we’re not able to get just with our typical daily consumption.

• Prebiotics: If you’re wanting to improve and support your gut’s health, but don’t want to have to take a handful of supplements every day, at least find a good prebiotic, like our Great Gut Extra-Strength Prebiotic Dietary Fiber. Prebiotics are nutrition for the good bacteria in your gut. Adding a prebiotic fiber supplement is the fastest, easiest way to improve your gut health fast.
• Probiotics: These are the actual good bacteria that you need to have in your gut, and can help keep your good-bad gut bacteria in balance (even if your diet isn’t always what it should be)
  • Reuterin: this supplement has an antimicrobial effect, eliminating and preventing the development of harmful bacteria in our guts. It prevents bacteria, yeast and mold from forming, without compromising the good bacteria present in the gut. You’re not likely to find it as a solo supplement – it’s far more likely to be part of a probiotic blend, so when you shop for your probiotic, check the label and look to see if reuterin is present.

Just adding those two will go a long way towards ensuring you a happy, healthy gut. If you want to go a step further, or if you have underlying chronic gut conditions, there are some other supplements you can consider adding to your diet as well:

• L-Glutamine: Your gut greatly relies on L-Glutamine to build a powerful coating that allows for optimal gut function.
• Zinc: Already known for its ability to boost the immune system, it’s also an important element in many of our body’s metabolic processes. A study from 2015 linked zinc to helping limit the permeability of the gut.
• Digestive enzymes: These enzymes are responsible for food digestion in your gut. They help your body absorb all the nutrients found in the food you eat. They have a positive effect on your metabolism, making it a great supplement for improving your gut health.
• Collagen: as a supplement, you’re looking for collagen peptides, which are more easily digestible. Collagen has been shown to help with inflammation in the gut.
• Butyrate: research demonstrated that butyrate stimulates mucus production and improves the lining of the intestinal tract.
• Vitamin B12: This vitamin helps maintain normal brain function as well as helping in the creation of red blood cells. It is quite vital for our existence, yet our bodies are not able to produce it on their own.