Gut Health & Digestion spans everyday digestive supplements and over-the-counter remedies: digestive enzymes from NOW Foods and OstroVit, probiotics, sodium butyrate, greens powders, berberine and milk thistle, alongside Tums and Pepto Bismol chewables, caplets and liquids. Use the two sub-collections to narrow the range quickly.
Two collections inside
- Digestive Relief: Pepto Bismol, Tums, digestive enzymes and Boiron remedies.
- Probiotic Support: live-culture capsules including Trace Minerals Probiotic 55 Billion and women's formulas.
For more probiotics and fibre in the vitamins section, see Probiotics & Gut Support.
Supplements and medicines are different
Digestive enzymes, probiotics and sodium butyrate are food supplements. Few gut-related claims are authorised for them; one that is, calcium contributes to the normal function of digestive enzymes, applies only to products with enough calcium. We therefore describe these products by what they contain.
Tums (calcium carbonate) and Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) are over-the-counter medicines with US labelling. Use them only as the label and leaflet direct. Pepto Bismol contains a salicylate, so read the warnings if you are sensitive to aspirin, and ask a pharmacist before use if you are pregnant or take other medicines.
Everyday gut-friendly formats
- Enzymes: NOW Super Enzymes and OstroVit Digezyme are tablets taken with meals.
- Sodium butyrate: Ultra Lyte and OstroVit 90-capsule pots.
- Probiotics: Jarrow Fem-Dophilus (1 billion CFU) and Snap Gut Health.
- Greens: Snap Super Greens with collagen, and Spirulina + Chlorella capsules.
- Botanicals: berberine from Applied Nutrition, Source Naturals and Essensey, plus Essensey Milk Thistle.
See your GP if digestive symptoms are severe, persistent or new, or come with weight loss or blood.
Gut Health & Digestion: your questions answered
What is the difference between digestive enzymes and probiotics?
Digestive enzymes are proteins such as protease, amylase and lipase that help break down food, so they are taken with meals. Probiotics are live bacterial cultures, usually taken once a day.
Are Tums and Pepto Bismol food supplements?
No, they are over-the-counter medicines. Follow the label and leaflet, and speak to a pharmacist if you need them regularly or your symptoms persist.
What is sodium butyrate?
It is the sodium salt of butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid. We stock it as 90-capsule supplements from Ultra Lyte and OstroVit; it has no authorised health claim, so take it at the label serving.
Can I take digestive enzymes and a probiotic together?
Yes, many people do. Take the enzymes with meals and the probiotic as its label directs, which is sometimes on an empty stomach.
When should I see a doctor about digestive symptoms?
See your GP if symptoms are severe, last more than a few weeks, or come with unexplained weight loss, blood in your stool or difficulty swallowing. Supplements are not a substitute for diagnosis.
