It also helps to reduce nausea and promote the production of digestive enzymes. The sugar substitute stevia is a replacement for gut-harming sugar, but it is also a pro-gut health substance all on its own.

Bacteriophages are an ancient type of virus that specifically target harmful bacteria in the gut, while leaving beneficial bacteria untouched. By reducing harmful flora, bacteriophages improve gut flora balance and reduce the risk of digestive issues.

Artichoke helps to promote the production of digestive enzymes and improve digestion. Additionally, artichoke can help to reduce inflammation in the gut and improve overall gut health. Artichoke can be found as a powdered supplement or simply add more artichoke to your diet.

When you have a problem with gut health, it almost always means that somewhere at the root of your problem is a gut flora imbalance.

Gut flora is highly influenced by diet. Eating a diet with too much processed food and excess sugar harms gut flora balance, triggering issues ranging from poor nutrient absorption to weakened immunity, joint aches, depression and anxiety, and yeast overgrowth.

Sugar and other artificial additives and chemical preservatives also increase inflammation in the body, contributing to and worsening autoimmune issues. At the same time you kick sugar to the curb, increase in your diet foods that are prized for replenishing probiotics.

Yogurt, sauerkraut and other fermented veggies are some other good choices. The central nervous system shuts down digestion by slowing contractions of digestive muscles and decreasing secretions for digestion.

After the stress has past, the system recovers and digestion resumes. This ancient response works wonders when we need to flee from a charging bear, but when facing the chronic stress of modern life, an over-triggered stress response can keep us in a semi-permanent state of poor digestion.

Taking steps to reduce stress in your life, as well as engaging in stress-busting practices like yoga and meditation, can help your brain turn your digestion back on to full strength. In women, digestive issues can also be connected to hormonal imbalance.

During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal fluctuations or imbalances can influence the pace of food movement through the intestines.

For example, constipation can be a sign of low progesterone. A gut flora imbalance can also interfere with hormone production. Gut flora helps to regulate estrogen.

When your balance of healthy microorganisms are off, it can result in imbalances in estrogen levels too. The bottom line?

If you are taking steps to rebalance your hormones, pay attention to your gut health too. Need help identifying your digestive symptoms? Take our Digestive Health Quiz to assess your gut health and find out the first steps you can take to feel better! Your call is free. CALL M-F 9AM-6PM EST.

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Learn ABOUT US. Login to My Account. Your digestive system needs certain vitamins to function properly. Find out which vitamins are best and how to get them. Digestive health is an important part of overall health.

The good news is that you can usually get all the vitamins you need for digestion by eating fruits, vegetables and protein, according to the National Institutes of Health NIH. Read on to learn which vitamins are the most important for healthy digestion and how to incorporate them into your eating habits.

These vitamins are found in proteins such as fish, poultry, meat, and dairy products, as well as leafy greens and beans, and help your body form red blood cells and get energy from the food you eat, the NIH explains. B vitamins are water-soluble , meaning you can't store them away in your fat cells to use later; they need to be a regular part of your diet.

This is true for all B vitamins except vitamin B12, which recirculates. There are a number of B vitamins necessary for the body. For the digestive system, these include:. Most Americans get enough B vitamins from food, but supplements may be helpful for some people.

Speak with your doctor about any supplements you are considering before you begin taking them. People with a healthy diet do not need to supplement vitamin C, which is found in a number of foods, including:.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and plays a key role in how your nerves, muscles, and immune system function, according to the NIH. Still, 35 percent of adults in the United States have a vitamin D deficiency, which can result in bone pain, muscle weakness, and cramps.

There are three ways you can get vitamin D , the NIH explains:. You may also need a vitamin D supplement if you have an inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease , which is often associated with low vitamin D levels, according to a study in the May Nutrients.

Other people who are at a greater risk for a vitamin D deficiency include:. If you aren't getting enough vitamin D from sunlight and food , talk to your doctor about a supplement. Keep in mind that you may already be taking a supplement that contains vitamin D.

For example, many calcium supplements also contain vitamin D, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Vitamin A is involved primarily in boosting vision , bone, and reproductive health, as well as the immune system, according to the NIH.

Colorful fruits and vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, kale , and other dark greens, as well as liver and milk, are rich sources of vitamin A. Although vitamin A is not directly involved in digestion, some gastrointestinal diseases can leave you vulnerable to a vitamin A deficiency.

They can help you decide whether a probiotic supplement is appropriate and give brand and dosage recommendations. Research suggests that probiotics must contain at least 10 6 1 million viable CFUs per gram to have a clinically significant effect. Additionally, the most-studied and most-used strains of probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

However, probiotic supplements are strain- and disease-specific, so the most effective strain will depend on the condition or issue that the supplement is meant to improve.

Because probiotics are strain-, disease-, and symptom-specific, no single probiotic is more effective overall than others. Still, some brands are considered to offer higher quality probiotic supplements, including Culturelle, Seed, and Jarrow Formulas. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri and Bifidobacterium species.

To maximize probiotic benefits, Haque recommends considering high CFUs around 40 billion or more , multiple strains greater than two , and products from reputable manufacturers. Lastly, Haque highlights the importance of also consuming prebiotic fiber and fermented foods to complement probiotic supplements, though consult your healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Probiotic supplements may be helpful for people with certain conditions, such as IBS, constipation, and UTIs. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Probiotics contain live microorganisms that can support and enhance your healthy gut bacteria.

This article reviews whether timing matters when it…. Eating fermented foods with live probiotics can have powerful benefits for your body and brain. Here is a list of 11 super healthy probiotic foods. Probiotics can improve your health. Learn how taking probiotics can benefit weight loss, heart health, digestion, immune function and more.

After speaking with their pediatrician, consider one of these 7…. Probiotics come in both refrigerated and shelf-stable varieties. This article explains whether you should keep probiotics in the fridge or leave them….

Probiotics are beneficial in many ways. In men, they can support gut function, urinary health, and even weight loss. Here are five products you might…. Prebiotics are types of fiber that feed your friendly gut bacteria, leading to all sorts of benefits.

Here are 19 healthy foods rich in prebiotics. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 11 Best Probiotic Supplements for , According to Dietitians.

Medically reviewed by Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES — By Ellen Landes, MS, RDN, CPT and Jillian Kubala, MS, RD — Updated on January 23, On this page How we chose Our picks Comparison table Probiotic basics Benefits How to choose Necessity Talk with a doctor FAQ Bottom line.

How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Pills for digestion can be taken daily with meals to aid with digestion of protein, lactose, gluten, fats, beans, legumes, sugar, carbohydrates and the release of digestive enzymes.

Chewing food thoroughly activates amylase to begin the digestive process. As food passes through the digestive tract more enzymes are released breaking down large molecules into smaller molecules ending the digestive process in the small intestine, where nutrients like carbohydrates, lipids fats , proteins, iron, vitamins and water are absorbed.

Types of Digestion Supplements Products There are several different types of best digestive enzyme supplements that target different food groups.

Individuals with inability to digest lactose can benefit from using enzymes that contain lactase, the enzyme that helps digest dairy products.

The best digestive enzymes supplements will combine a full spectrum of enzymes, and can be highly beneficial to those who suffer from multiple food sensitivities or digestive issues.

Common best digestive enzyme supplements will contain at least more of the following: Amylase: Digests carbohydrates, grains, flour, fruit, pasta, potatoes, snacks, rice, vegetables. Alpha Galactosidase: Digests complex carbs, beans, cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and legumes.

Betaine HCL: Increases hydrochloric acid stomach acid , digests fats and proteins. Assists with reflux, heartburn and gallbladder health, reducing risk of gallstones.

Bromelain: From kiwi, papaya, pineapple helps to reduce inflammation, swelling, treating sinusitis and osteoarthritis. Cellulase: Breaks down soluble fiber, raw fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and stringy fiber from vegetables like celery.

Invertase: Breaks down and digests carbohydrates, starches, sugars, fructose, glucose, maltose found in sweets. Lactase: Responsible for digesting lactose milk sugar found in milk and dairy products and milk protein casein.

Supports lactose intolerance. Lipase: Best Digestive enzymes that breaks down fats from dairy, meats, nuts, oils to be used in the body and brain for energy. Maltase: Helps to break down complex and simple sugars, malt, maltose, grains, flavorings. Ox-bile Salts: Break down fats in the small intestine.

Supports and treats gallstones, essential for individuals without gallbladder. Papain: From papaya helps reduce allergies, inflammation, pain and swelling.

Peptidase: Breaks down animal proteins and plant-based proteins in amino acids building blocks, repair, regeneration in the body Protease DPP Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV: Digests the gluten gluten sensitivity , casein, dairy and wheat intolerances. Protease SP: Breaks down proteins found in, cheese, eggs, meat and nuts.

Also, a proteolytic enzyme to digest inflammation, scar tissue, decrease swelling and alleviate infection. Speaking with one of our specialists at any of our 12 locations to find the best digestive enzyme supplements for optimal results.

Digestive enzymes are available in capsule, chewable tablets and digestive enzymes tablets. Nature's Source stocks the best digestive enzyme supplements by top quality brands that are highly recommended by natural health doctors and practitioners.

Frequently Asked Questions About Digestion Supplement Do Digestive Enzymes Really Work? Yes, enzymes will break down foods better to improve absorption of nutrients. What Is the Best Time to Take Digestive Enzymes? Atkins Diet DASH Diet Golo Diet Green Tea Healthy Recipes Intermittent Fasting Intuitive Eating Jackfruit Ketogenic Diet Low-Carb Diet Mediterranean Diet MIND Diet Paleo Diet Plant-Based Diet See All.

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Digestive Health. By Chris Iliades, MD. Medically Reviewed. Ira Daniel Breite, MD. B Vitamins: Energy for the Day These vitamins are found in proteins such as fish, poultry, meat, and dairy products, as well as leafy greens and beans, and help your body form red blood cells and get energy from the food you eat, the NIH explains.

For the digestive system, these include: B1 Also known as thiamine, B1 helps your body convert carbohydrates into energy for your cells and it helps regulate appetite. B3 Also known as niacin , B3 is important for many digestive tract functions, including the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and alcohol.

A niacin deficiency can result in a disease known as pellagra, which causes severe vomiting and diarrhea. B6 Also known as pyridoxine , B6 is very important in helping your digestive system process the protein you eat.