Poor Gut Health Isn’t Your Fault (But You Should Still Do Something About It)

June 07, 2022
Posted by Malcolm Lamb

Do you have a favorite food that you can’t eat anymore because it gives you problems?

Nothing ruins your day quite like problems with your gut. Maybe you ate the wrong thing for dinner. Maybe you live with gut discomfort every day. You’re not alone. Millions of people struggle with the effects of an unhealthy gut.

But here’s the thing: It might not be your fault.

Blame The Modern Diet

Did you know that in the USA, 57.9% of our energy intake comes from “ultra-processed” foods with little nutritional value.

This diet wreaks havoc on gut health and particularly on the health of your gut microbiome. In fact, when researchers compared the gut bacteria of hunter-gatherers living in Africa to the average American, they found that there are crucial strains of gut bacteria which are completely extinct in American bodies.

Modern diets aren’t very diverse. We only eat a small handful of foods, and what we do eat is often too high in fat and sugar, leading to handicapped gut that isn’t properly able to do its job and keep us feeling healthy.

Gut Health Goes Way Beyond An Upset Stomach

Quick! What do you think of when you hear the phrase, “unhealthy gut”?

If you’re like most people, you probably said something like:

Upset Stomach
Gas
Bloating
Constipation
Heartburn
Diarrhea

And you’re right! These are all symptoms commonly associated with poor gut health. However, these are only the most obvious ways that an unhealthy gut can affect your life.

The truth is that poor gut health can create a domino effect which may lead to all sorts of conditions such as:

Autoimmune Disorders/Malfunction
Low Energy
Poor Sleep
Obesity
Diabetes

4 Supplements For A Healthier Gut (And Life!)

Due to the depleted nature of the common Western diet, restoring gut health through healthier eating alone may not be enough. For some, it may not be feasible as unhealthy, ultra-processed foods are often cheaper than healthier options.

Using dietary supplements can be an easy way to take back this important aspect of your health. While 4 specific supplements are listed below, there are many other options to explore with the potential to improve the health of your gut.

Psyllium Husk

Psyllium husk is an excellent source of soluble fiber and a natural laxative. Because of its ability to soak up water in the gut, psyllium husk has the ability to promote regularity and easier bowel movements. Use it when you need it or integrate it into your regular diet, psyllium husk provides benefits however you decide to use it.

Psyllium husk is also a prebiotic, and regular supplementation can promote healthier gut flora. Improved digestive health may lead to its own slew of benefits, including improved immunity and reduced inflammation.

Chicory Root

Chicory root contains high levels of inulin, a prebiotic fiber renowned for its benefits to digestion. There is as much inulin in fresh chicory root as there is water in the human body (nearly 70%)!

Prebiotics are like food for the bacteria in your gut. Consuming a prebiotic will help your gut microbiome to grow and flourish which could lead to possible benefits to digestion and bowel movements.

You can also find pure inulin supplements, but they will not contain the powerful antioxidant properties of chicory root.

Probiotic Complex

Probiotics are a type of friendly bacteria (like the ones found in your gut!) which provide powerful health benefits when ingested. They help to colonize your gut with good bacteria and strengthen your gut microbiome.

A probiotic complex is a supplement which contains a carefully selected group of friendly bacteria. The most common probiotic bacteria include lactobacillus (sometimes found as its own supplement), bifidobacteria, saccharomyces, and streptococcus.

Digestive Enzymes

Naturally occurring digestive enzymes are a vital part of your digestive system. Without them, your body can’t break foods down so that nutrients can be fully absorbed.

Digestive enzyme supplements can aid those experiencing digestive troubles and symptoms like the ones mentioned earlier in this article.

Wrapping Up

Poor gut health can cause all sorts of problems and impact your ability to enjoy life! The good news is that many of these problems are often the result of poor diets typical in America and other Western countries.

This means you have the power to change it by changing what you put in your body!