Your gut certainly plays a crucial role in your digestive system, but that’s merely the tip of the iceberg. From enhancing your immune response to supporting cognitive health, gut health impacts nearly every aspect of your body’s overall wellness.* Brittany Michels, MS, RDN, emphasizes, “Our gut is responsible for much more than digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and removal of waste. It’s often dubbed ‘our second brain’ due to the extensive network of neurons, filled with neurotransmitters, lining the digestive tract.”
Therefore, maintaining a healthy gut goes beyond just digestive comfort; it serves as a cornerstone for total body health,* indicating that it deserves your attention. One straightforward suggestion from Michels is to integrate probiotics and other gut-enhancing supplements into your wellness regime. She notes that probiotics are vital in aiding gut-brain communication, immune capabilities, and digestion, and a daily supplement featuring various strains can promote a healthy balance of gut flora.*
By prioritizing your gut health, you can effortlessly enhance your overall well-being, and The Vitamin Shoppe® offers a range of probiotic supplements to help you begin this journey. Explore their offerings, and continue reading to discover the myriad ways a healthy gut can benefit your entire body.
Vaginal Health
In addition to digestive benefits, numerous probiotic strains—such as Garden of Life’s Once Daily Women’s—can uphold vaginal and urinary tract health, according to Michels.* A 2022 study indicates that probiotics can assist in sustaining the delicate bacterial balance, ultimately keeping your vaginal flora content and stable.
Colon Health
Feeling constipated is certainly uncomfortable—but Michels suggests a probiotic that also functions as an oxygen cleanser, like NBPure’s Mag07 Oxygenating Digestive System Cleanser, which could help. “The concept behind oxygen-based colon cleanses is that beneficial gut bacteria thrive on oxygen to foster a healthy microbiome,” she explains. “The oxidation process promotes digestive movement, alleviating constipation and blockages.”*
Immune Health
For those seeking immune support—whether seasonally or at any time—Michels recommends incorporating a probiotic into your daily routine. “Our microbiome does more than aid digestion; it also plays a significant role in immunity by protecting the bloodstream from foreign invaders and influencing neurotransmitter signaling to the brain and various body systems,” she remarks.
Research indicates that these beneficial bacteria can contribute significantly to immune health, acting as a key player in helping your system stay resilient against challenges. Michels mentions that particular probiotic strains (like those present in the daily ProBioCare Men’s Probiotic) interact with your immune cells and the natural gut flora to support a balanced and robust immune system.*
Mental Well-Being
Your gut holds the title of “second brain” for a valid reason—95 percent of the body’s serotonin, known as the happy hormone, is produced there. Michels states, “The gut generates as many neurotransmitters as the brain, and irritation in the digestive tract can trigger signals to the brain that affect mood and disrupt other body systems.”*
Enhance your gut-brain connection with a supplement such as Ancient Nutrition SBO Probiotic, which includes soil-based organisms—natural bacteria types that endure stomach acid and heat (making them shelf-stable), according to her.
Skin Health
An optimal gut can significantly enhance your skin’s appearance. Michels explains how supplements like Emma Daily Digestive and Gut Health can help rebalance gut flora, potentially reducing redness, soothing skin irritations, and promoting clearer, more resilient skin.* Certain probiotic strains might even enhance the skin’s natural moisture barrier, keeping it hydrated and better protected against environmental aggressors.
By incorporating this single, low-effort step into your daily routine, you can gift yourself the benefits of gut support. From aiding digestion to improving your complexion,* The Vitamin Shoppe’s probiotics demonstrate that a healthy gut contributes significantly to overall wellness.
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