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.
For more probiotics and fibre in the vitamins section, see Probiotics & Gut Support.
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.
See your GP if digestive symptoms are severe, persistent or new, or come with weight loss or blood.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, many people do. Take the enzymes with meals and the probiotic as its label directs, which is sometimes on an empty stomach.
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.
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