Natural Ingredients Ease Digestion

Sandy Almendarez, VP of Content

July 23, 2013

2 Min Read
Natural Ingredients Ease Digestion

People who have digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food intolerances or gas, can turn to key dietary ingredients that help boost digestion, which leads to a better quality of life.

Of all of the health benefits associated with probiotics, digestion ranks number one in consumers' minds, and with good reason. Studies have shown these beneficial bacteria can address a number of digestive ailments. Research demonstrates they can reduce potentially fatal Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea as well as reduce IBS symptoms.

While analysis of a numbers of studies show probiotics' benefit to the gut, it's important to realize each probiotic strain is unique and offers its own health benefits. For instance, the Bifidobacterium lactis strain BB-12® (from Chr. Hansen), Lactobacillus casei rhamnosu (Lcr35, from Probionov), Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (as GanedenBC30® from Ganeden Biotech) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae  (as LYNSIDE® PRO GI+ from Lesaffre Human Care) all have research backing.

It's clear research has confirmed the digestive benefits of probiotics, but adding prebiotics to the mix can help probiotics do their job better. Often made of fiber, prebiotics are components that provide the fuel to stimulate probiotics in the digestive tract. Indeed, research has shown prebiotics can significantly modulate the colonic microbiota by increasing the number of specific bacteria and thus changing the composition of the microbiota.

Prebiotics with scientific backing include inulin, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS).

Being fiber, prebiotics get a digestive health association, as consumers are well aware of the benefit of fiber to the digestive system. Common forms of fiber that help digestion include Psyllium husk (derived from Plantago ovate), fenugreek , guar gum, maize and  tapioca.

Enzyme supplementation plays a role in the management of various digestive disorders and other conditions associated with poor digestion including lactose intolerance. Plant-based enzymes, such as bromelain from pineapple, serve as effective digestive aids in the breakdown of proteins. Lactase, when consumed along with milk, cheese or other dairy products, makes those foods easier to digest. Alpha-galactosidase helps reduce gas, and aspergillopepsin helps gluten digestion. Actinidin, an enzyme from kiwi, helps digest proteins.

Learn more about how these and other botanical and mineral digestive aids help humans in INSIDER's Digestion Digital Pulse.

About the Author

Sandy Almendarez

VP of Content, Informa

Summary

• Well-known subject matter expert within the health & nutrition industry with more than 15 years’ experience reporting on natural products.

• She cares a lot about how healthy products are made, where their ingredients are sourced and how they affect human health.

• She knows that it’s the people behind the businesses — their motivations, feelings and emotions — drive industry growth, so that’s where she looks for content opportunities.

Sandy Almendarez is VP of Content for SupplySide and an award-winning journalist. She oversees the editorial and content marketing teams for the B2B media brands SupplySide Supplement Journal and SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal, the education programming for the health and nutrition trade shows SupplySide Connect New Jersey and SupplySide West, the education program SupplySide Fresh for industry newcomers and community engagement across the SupplySide portfolio. She is a seasoned content strategist with a passion for health, good nutrition, sustainability and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience in the health and nutrition industry, Sandy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a content-focused business leader. With specialization in topics ranging from product development to content engagement, creative marketing and c-suite decision making, her work is known for its engaging style and its relevance for business leaders in the health and nutrition industry.

In her free time, Sandy loves running, drinking hot tea and watching her two kids grow up. She brews her own “Sandbucha” homemade kombucha; she’s happy to share if you’re ever in Phoenix!

Awards:

Speaker credentials

Resides in

  • Phoenix, AZ

Education

  • Arizona State University

Contact:

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