Unboxed: 12 digestive health products that don't feature probiotics
Gut health is the bulls-eye of all health in humans. From immune function to the nouveau gut-brain axis, it all starts in the middle. Here's what to consider beyond the popular probiotic supplements.
This 15-herb digestive health support formulation is based on the classic TCM blend to support the digestive system and help absorb nutrients. The “calming pills” have been used for occasional indigestion, gas and bloating.
If it’s Barlean’s, you can be sure it’s going to start with omegas. This digestive blend is chock full of short-chain ALA, along with fiber, protein, aminos and minerals. All in all it’s a nutrient-dense powder that’s suitable for sprinkling anywhere you want a boost—oatmeal, smoothies and salads come to mind.
Bitters are an old-world way to help with your digestion, and we’re seeing a proliferation of products out there. About 10 or 15 minutes before a meal, squirt this Better Bitters spray four times into your mouth, hold briefly to savor the complex flavors, then swallow. Everything will go down easier.
Stop thinking barbecues! Activated charcoal became buzzworthy a couple years ago for its adsorption qualities—not to be confused with absorption. The more well-known absorption is when one substance enters another, as when nutrients traverse the GI tract to tissues and cells in the body. Adsorption, on the other hand, is when a substance attaches to the surface of another, such as activated charcoal, which traps toxins so they can be flushed out. This works great in binding gas-causing byproducts in foods that cause gas and bloating. Some studies say it can also reduce blood-alcohol concentrations and thus help keep a hangover from happening.
Bitters make everything better by enhancing healthy digestion, absorption and elimination. Turns out you aren’t what you eat but what you digest and absorb. Bitters aperitifs and digestives can be taken as daily tonics. David Winston’s Original Bitters is a classic balanced formula with a hint of the flatulence-relieving peppermint. Variations in the line include spiced bitters, old world bitters and bitter roots. The easy-to-carry tinctures and sprays can fit anywhere. Bon appetit!
When we see “lypo” we think fats and when we see “Enzymedica” we think enzymes. But this new and improved formulation doesn’t use enzymes to digest only fat. It covers all three macronutrients—carbs and protein to boot. The company conducted research that showed one capsule breaks down up to 22 grams of fat in just 30 minutes. That’s fast and effective.
For occasional heartburn, this exclusive blend of non-GMO enzymes helps break down fats and carbs. But that’s only the start. Herbs help, along with zinc carnosine to buffer the stomach acid. A study showed zinc carnosine stabilized small bowel integrity and stimulated gut repair processes.
Urinary tract infections are the worst. Cranberries work by inhibiting microbes from attaching to the linings of the urinary and intestinal tracts. Flora keeps it up by adding nine additional herbs to support urinary tract health by helping to flush the bladder and urethra.
We’re telling you—bitters are a thing. Leave it to the freaky innovators in Oregon to bring theirs to market through the thoughtfulness and integrity of biodynamic farming methods—the original organic. We’re talking metaphysics, moon phases and spiritual dimensions of the land.
We always thought “Peristalsis” would be a cool name for a punk band. Ask any gastroenterologist—it’s the action of stool transport through your intestinal tract. Along with stimulating peristalsis, this cleanse is also anti-microbial for potential parasitic concerns. Free of gluten, yeast, soy, corn, binders, fillers, preservatives and added sugars.
A raspberry chew tablet is a yummy way to get at that burn you’re feeling. Stomach acidity is relieved and esophageal lining soothed via a combination of herbs, enzymes and minerals like that all-important calcium carbonate. When your body has difficulty digesting some foods, with the irritating indigestion, gas, bloating and that horrible burn, this tummy yummy just might do the trick.
Tight junctions are the network of cellular scaffold proteins that tie together the GI tract’s epithelial lining. When the gut gets inflamed, the cellular lining loosens, and everything from nutrients to toxins leaks out. Mayhem ensues. Restore is based on colloidal minerals that protects these tight junctions and maintains intestinal integrity.
Tight junctions are the network of cellular scaffold proteins that tie together the GI tract’s epithelial lining. When the gut gets inflamed, the cellular lining loosens, and everything from nutrients to toxins leaks out. Mayhem ensues. Restore is based on colloidal minerals that protects these tight junctions and maintains intestinal integrity.
The digestive health category continues to rise at double-digit rates. Shoppers think probiotics first and foremost, but there are lots of different ingredients that affect different aspects of digestion. We’ll leave probiotic products for another day and introduce you to a cool dozen to diversify your product set.
Read more about:
UnboxedAbout the Author(s)
You May Also Like