Gut Health Supplements

Healthspan customer reviews

Gut health guides

Why support gut health?

The human gut, or gastrointestinal tract, comprises the digestive system from the mouth to the anus, including the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

It is home to trillions of microbes, known as the microbiota, including at least 1,000 different species of known bacteria. There are also more than three million microbial genes, which make up the gut's microbiome.

Scientists have discovered that these microbes in our gut have a big influence on our health, and their function includes promoting nutrient absorption and regulating the immune system. The gut-brain connection is also becoming well known, and gut health can influence a person's mood and mental health. It's also thought gut health influences obesity. Read more about the gut microbiome.

Signs and symptoms of digestion issues

Digestive issues may indicate a problem with gut health, and can include bloating and gas, indigestion, diarrhoea and constipation and abdominal pains. Often, these issues are caused by dysbiosis – an imbalance of the 'good' and 'bad' bacteria in the intestines. This can have several causes, including poor diet, antibiotic use and stress. Read more about dysbiosis.

How to treat gut health

To improve gut health, it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet full of fibre, and to add in prebiotic food – such as bananas, oats, artichokes and leeks – and fermented food – such as kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut or kombucha, which provide 'friendly' probiotic bacteria. Supplements are a good way to support the digestive system, and Healthspan offers a wide range of supplements that target gut health.

Digestion supplements

Digestion supplements include probiotics, prebiotics and digestive enzymes, and there are also certain vitamins and minerals that are important for gut health. For example, calcium contributes to the normal function of digestive enzymes, omega 3 aids the proper functioning of the digestive tract, while zinc is anti-inflammatory and important for maintaining immune health – which includes the gut microbiota. Healthspan offers a range of probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes and more.

Natural gut health supplements

Healthspan offers a range of natural gut health supplements, which support a variety of digestive issues. Artichoke (120 tablets) contains 360mg of artichoke extract, which provides the main active compound cynarin. Artichoke can support digestion and contributes to intestinal comfort, and this supplement also contains calcium, to support digestive enzymes.

Healthspan's Peppermint Oil (180 capsules) is a high-strength formulation that provides 100mg of pure oil, which contains over 40 different compounds. Peppermint oil helps to support a healthy stomach and digestion. Then there's Milk Thistle (30 capsules) and Milk Thistle Complete (90 tablets). Milk thistle is a traditional herbal remedy that is used to treat indigestion and over-indulgence.

Healthspan's Aloe Vera (180 tablets, 10,000mg) and GastriSoothe supplements are both designed to provide relief from heartburn. Aloe vera forms a protective coating over the tissues lining the stomach and oesophagus to protect from gastric acids. GastriSoothe (24 sachets) is the UK's first triple-action heartburn solution, and contains aloe vera, along with sodium alginate and sodium bicarbonate, which help to prevent acid reflux and neutralise stomach acid.

The Healthspan range also includes Ginger Extract (120 capsules), which provides the equivalent of 12,000mg of ginger root, and Lecithin (120 capsules), both of which help to support digestion.

Finally, Healthspan's new digestion supplement – Activated Charcoal (90 capsules) is made from naturally sourced coconut shells, and can help to reduce gas and flatulence after eating.

Probiotics for digestion

Healthspan has various probiotic supplements, containing different amounts of 'friendly' bacteria, including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium lactis and Bifidobacterium bifidum, to support healthy digestion.

There's Pro 5 (60 capsules), Super20 Pro (30 or 60 capsules) and Super50 Pro (60 capsules) – the last being Healthspan's strongest probiotic capsule, containing 50 billion friendly bacteria per capsule. There's also MultiVitality Pro (90 tablets), which contains probiotics alongside a comprehensive range of vitamins and minerals for overall health and wellbeing.

Healthspan's Elite range also offers several probiotic supplements. Elite Pro20 Biotic (120 capsules) and Elite Pro50 Biotic (60 capsules) have been developed using five well-researched strains of bacteria and are batch tested and Informed Sport accredited to be safer for competing athletes.

Find out more about Healthspan's probiotics range.

Prebiotics for digestion

Prebiotics are a type of fibre that humans can't digest, but that 'feeds' probiotic bacteria in the gut. One of the best-known prebiotics is inulin, a type of soluble fibre. Healthspan's EasyFibre Inulin (450g) is made from chicory root, and is a natural way to increase fibre in the diet. Inulin absorbs water in the intestines, softening stools and easing bowel movements.

Alternatively, EasyFibre Cleanse (300g) is formulated using high-quality psyllium husk, another type of fibre, which maintains smooth digestion. The husks act as a sponge in the body, gently absorbing water and waste material from the digestive system, helping clear the body of harmful toxins.

Digestive enzymes

Digestive enzymes are substances that help digest food, and are secreted by the salivary glands and the cells that line the stomach, pancreas and small intestine. Examples include lipase (which breaks down fat), proteases (which break down protein), amylase and lactase. A deficiency in these enzymes can make it difficult to digest food fully, leading to bloating and digestive discomfort.

Healthspan's Digestive Enzymes (60 capsules) provide a blend of 10 digestive enzymes to fully support digestion and metabolism. This supplement also contains chromium, which contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism.

Digestion supplements and sports nutrition

Healthspan's Elite range also offers various digestion supplements, batch-tested and specially formulated to support athletes.

Elite Sports Essentials (28 day supply) contains three supplements: a multivitamin, omega 3 capsule and a probiotic packed with 20 billion 'friendly' bacteria to support the gut and overall health. Elite Performance Greens (300g) is formulated with natural extracts from six fruits and vegetables. It also contains Actazin Digestive Enzymes sourced from New Zealand kiwi fruit to support the digestive system.

Several other supplements in the Elite range support digestion, including Elite High Strength Omega 3 (120 capsules, 1,000mg) to aid the proper functioning of the digestive tract, and Elite Gold A-Z Multivitamin, with gut-supporting calcium and chromium, as well as the full range of other vitamins and minerals.

Finally, Elite Magnesium Plus (120 tablets) is formulated using a dual source of magnesium –magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide – that's gentler on the stomach.

Healthspan gut health supplements

Healthspan offers a wide range of gut health supplements to address a spectrum of digestive complaints, including bloating, indigestion, constipation and more. All Healthspan's products are formulated using natural, high-quality ingredients. The supplements can be used by both men and women, and most of our gut health supplements are vegan.

Always talk to your GP before starting a new supplement.

If you need expert advice on which gut health supplement is right for you, please get in touch.

See Healthspan's complete supplement range.