Gut Comfort

In the Gut Comfort collection we bring together food supplements for your gut routine, from brands such as Thorne, NOW Foods, Nutergia, Designs for Health, Solaray, Suravitasan, Cytoplan, Lamberts, Klaire Labs, Hawa Pharma, M.J.S. Med, Nutrined and DRV+. You will find peppermint oil in gastro-resistant capsules, live cultures such as Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus coagulans, soluble fibre, L-glutamine, colostrum, activated charcoal and plant-based formulas, in capsules, powder and sachets.

The gut and the microbiota

The gut does more than absorb nutrients. Its wall acts as a barrier between what we eat and the rest of the body, and the large intestine is home to trillions of microorganisms that ferment fibre.

The intestinal lining

The cells that line the gut renew every few days. L-glutamine, an amino acid found in meat, fish, eggs and pulses, is one of the main energy sources for these cells.

The microbiota

The gut microbiota is the community of bacteria, yeasts and other microorganisms in the gut. Its composition varies from person to person and changes with diet, medicines, stress and travel.

Types of products

Peppermint oil

Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita) is rich in menthol. In supplements it comes in gastro-resistant capsules, designed to pass through the stomach without dissolving and release the oil in the intestine.

Live cultures

Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast and Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming bacterium. There are also formulas with several strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, some with fibre or colostrum. Studies are carried out with specific strains, so it is worth comparing the full name on the label.

Soluble fibre

Psyllium, acacia gum and partially hydrolysed guar gum are soluble fibres that form a gel with water. Acacia gum and partially hydrolysed guar gum ferment slowly, which makes them easier to introduce.

L-glutamine, colostrum and plants

L-glutamine comes as a powder and in capsules, alone or combined with other nutrients. Colostrum is the first milk a cow produces after giving birth, rich in immunoglobulins. Some formulas combine plants such as chamomile, lemon balm, fennel, marshmallow root or deglycyrrhizinated liquorice (DGL).

Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal is made mainly from coconut shell, treated at high temperature to create a very porous structure. It comes as a powder and in capsules.

Precautions

• Peppermint oil is not recommended for people with frequent heartburn or a hiatus hernia. Swallow the capsules whole and do not take them at the same time as antacids, which can dissolve the coating too early.
• Activated charcoal reduces the absorption of medicines, including the contraceptive pill, and other supplements: leave at least 2 hours between them. It is normal for stools to darken. It is not intended for prolonged use without advice.
• If you have a weakened immune system, a central venous catheter or a serious illness, talk to your doctor before taking live cultures, especially those containing yeasts.
• Take powdered fibre with plenty of water and increase the dose gradually.
• Colostrum is dairy-derived and is not suitable for people allergic to milk proteins.
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding, ask a health professional for advice.

If gut discomfort is frequent, or you notice a persistent change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, fever or pain that wakes you at night, talk to your doctor: these are signs that need to be assessed.

See also the Probiotic Supplements, Bowel Transit and Digestion and Stomach Comfort collections.