The significance of the gut on overall health is seeping through to mainstream consciousness, but digestive problems are still widespread, says Jane Wolfe. The natural sector is, as ever, on hand to make tummy troubles easier to stomach
Approximately 43% of the UK population experience some form of digestive discomfort, with the most frequently cited symptoms being abdominal pain/discomfort (63%), diarrhoea (55%), bloating (53%), flatulence (44%) and constipation (44%), according to a YouGov survey. It found that when it comes to dealing with these issues through dietary changes, respondents said they’d consider upping their fibre intake (41%), eating five portions of fruit and veg per day (38%), following a low-fat diet (21%), taking a daily probiotic (10%), avoiding gluten (3%) and avoiding dairy or processed foods (<4%).
To make it easier for consumers to nourish their guts, an increasing number of food brands are creating functional products which aim to target this area. One such brand is Bio&Me – launched in 2019 by Dr Megan Rossi (The Gut Health Doctor) and Jon Walsh – which offers a range of cereals and yoghurts specifically designed to nurture digestive health.
Walsh explains that when it comes to a healthy gut, dietary fibre from a diverse range of sources is key. “All of Bio&Me’s products are prebiotic, specially developed by Dr Megan to feed gut bacteria and keep it happy. Prebiotics are a form of dietary fibre that help healthy bacteria grow in your gut. Gut bacteria are important because they produce hormones, different vitamins and communicate with our brain, that’s why nourishing this inner community is key.”
The brand’s granolas and porridges contain over 13 different types of ‘plant goodness’ including wholegrain oats, dates, almonds and chickpeas, and its yoghurts have 18 different live and active cultures, totalling over 700 billion cultures per pot. The products also carry the EFSA-approved ‘Good for your gut’ health claim.
There’s a wealth of studies looking at chicory root fibre and it’s been proven to help increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut
“One of the key gut-healthy ingredients that’s present across our entire product range is chicory root fibre,” explains Walsh. “Having this means we’re the only brand scientifically backed by the EFSA. There’s a wealth of studies looking at chicory root fibre and it’s been proven to help increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, specifically Bifida bacteria … and can help improve the frequency of your bowel movements, which in gut health terms is good.”
This year Bio&Me launched its Seed & Nut Gluten Free Granola – the first FODMAP-friendly certified granola to hit supermarket shelves, it is aimed at those who have sensitive tummies or suffer from IBS and is lower in specific short chain carbs, which can irritate sensitive guts.
Beating the bloat
Globally, the market for digestive health products is expected to reach $89.9 billion by 2030, according to a report by Grand View Research Inc, expanding at a CAGR of 8.2% between 2022 and 2030. The probiotics segment accounted for the highest market share 2021 (87.5%), it says, and with increased instances of issues such as indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation, the demand for supplements with probiotics, prebiotics and enzymes is predicted to rise.
New to market from start-up Wild Dose is A Dose for Bloating, created to offer an affordable, natural and fast solution to bloating. Giving an insight into why he started the brand, founder Charles Instone explains: “I had just left quite a stressful workplace and, as an IBS sufferer, stress is a trigger for me which caused me to bloat constantly. I had tried a lot of the medicines to reduce bloating, like Buscopan and Deflatine, but I didn’t want to keep taking medicines every day and potentially do more harm to my gut long term. I also didn’t want to take an expensive supplement every day for 60 to 90 days just to find out it doesn’t work for me.”
Having a degree in Human Biology, Instone was familiar with natural remedies and ingredients that could combat the causes of bloating, so he teamed up with a formulation specialist to create a product that would work quickly and can be taken as and when required.
Wild Dose is the first of its kind, blending digestive enzymes, probiotics and herbal remedies
So, how is A Dose for Bloating different to other natural solutions? “Wild Dose is the first of its kind, blending digestive enzymes, probiotics and herbal remedies,” says Instone. “This blend essentially means you can take it when bloated or before a big meal and it will aid gas relief quickly – other gut health products don’t utilize these three ingredient groups and tend to work, if at all, over a longer time period, which can be weeks. Some of our ingredients have been shown to reduce the amount of gas being produced, while others are known to help relieve gas – the build-up of which is a main cause of bloating. So, you
get this two-pronged effect of less gas being produced while also reducing the gas already trapped.”
The product’s ingredients include liquorice extract, ginger extract, turmeric extract, peppermint leaf extract, dandelion root extract, a probiotic blend of L.Acidophilus and three strains of Bifido bifidum, black pepper extract and a proprietary enzyme complex (papain, bromelain, lipase, amylase, protease, cellulase).
“Digestive enzymes are really powerful in aiding digestion … [they] are naturally produced by the body, but if you eat too quickly or have lower levels, then having digestive enzymes before or after you eat could reduce the amount of undigested food in the gut … Undigested food is feasted on by gut bacteria, which releases gas, so it’s important to digest your food properly, either by chewing thoroughly and slowing down eating or with digestive enzymes (or both!).”
A thriving environment
Another recent entrant into the UK market is natural and organic Australian brand
Supercharged Food, created by certified clinical nutritionist Lee Holmes.
Its Love Your Gut range includes Diatomaceous Earth, which helps clean out the accumulated build-up of waste, toxins, metals and mucus in the digestive tract, allowing it to absorb more nutrients from food; Fulvic Humic Concentrate (shilajit) – anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, this has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 3,000 years and helps support the integrity of the gut lining, replenish microbiota and enhance digestive enzymes to increase nutrient absorption; and Synbiotic, which blends prebiotic, probiotic, dietary fibre and digestive enzymes to provide the gut with ‘20 billion bits of love’
to repair, restore, rebalance and regenerate.
“An unhappy gut will affect your immune system, disrupt your hormones, and have an impact on your weight, mood, and energy levels, making you feel tired and run down,” says Holmes. “As a clinical nutritionist my key focus has been on gut health for over a decade now. I’ve seen first-hand the overall health benefits of a thriving gut environment. Whatever conditions my clients present with, a foundational aspect of my nutritional treatment is to clean the gut of built-up waste and repopulate it with healthy microorganisms.
“The cleaning and repairing aspect is where my Love Your Gut Diatomaceous Earth and Fulvic Humic drops come in, and my Love Your Synbiotic helps to repopulate and tune your internal engine room with probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes and dietary fibre. Clients are experiencing more energy, better digestion, less bloating and an overall improvement in their general wellbeing.”
Gut education
Instone believes people are beginning to understand why the gut is so crucial to wellbeing and making better dietary and lifestyle choices, but that more education is needed. “While Wild Dose helps, we try to point people to lifestyle changes they can make to not bloat in the first place, such as increasing their water intake and movement while reducing sugar intake and fizzy drinks,” he explains.
“I do think that some people still underestimate gut health though. I know, bearing in mind I studied biology at a university level, barely anything was covered in curriculums on the importance of gut health or how to manage it, identify symptoms and adapt your lifestyle to suit it. While we need to teach people out of the education system – and I think social media and national media are best placed for this – we can also act now to raise awareness in the education system. I imagine this would have a massive positive long-term impact on the UK.”
“Gut health is still a pretty new area of research in the science world,” adds Walsh. “It’s only in the last decade or so that scientists discovered the community of trillions of bacteria living in our gut. This has totally revolutionized how we look after our health and wellbeing. The pandemic really helped push gut health to the forefront in people’s minds and people have become much more aware about immunity and the importance of looking after their gut … but I suspect that there are lots of people that don’t know just how critical good [digestive] health is.”
It’s only in the last decade or so that scientists discovered the community of trillions of bacteria living in our gut
Agreeing that more education is needed, especially from gut health specialists
like Rossi to help spread the word and dispel misinformation surrounding gut health, Walsh says that from a brand perspective Bio&Me is offering more educational pieces at point of purchase. For example, in January the brand is working with Tesco to trial end of aisle video screens that provide gut health information to consumers. “It feels as if young challenger brands like us are really driving a positive movement right now, especially in the gut health space,” Walsh concludes.
Global benefits
The Yoba for Life Foundation is a non-profit international development organization which aims to help people in resource-poor countries by facilitating the local production of Yoba – a probiotic yogurt with proven health benefits – through a social business model.
Yoba for Life started working in Uganda in 2011, before expanding in 2016 to Tanzania and Kenya, and then Ethiopia in early 2020. The total outreach in East Africa is currently 250 producers, including women and young people, who are making 80,000 litres of yoghurt every week.
The Yoba Starter Culture contains a generic variant of Lactobacillus rhamnosus
GG (LGG), and after its patent expired, the foundation made LGG freely available to those who could benefit most. LGG inhibits a range of harmful bacteria and prevents and reduces diarrhoea, respiratory tract infections and ulcers as well as binding and degrading aflatoxins – all of which pose commonly faced and serious risks to people living in resource-poor countries.
Yoba for Life and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam recently confirmed some of these benefits in Ugandan school children – since 2018 Yoba for Life has promoted the consumption of yoghurt in schools in Southwest Uganda and by 2020, around 20,000 pre-primary and 3,500 primary children were consuming probiotic yoghurt weekly, enabling them to enjoy its health-boosting properties.
The 5Rs
The Institute for Functional Medicine’s 5R framework for gut health is designed to support and heal the digestive tract and puts forth five steps to: remove foods that may cause a reaction or intolerance; replace missing digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid and bile; reinoculate the gut microflora; repair the gut lining; and rebalance by reducing lifestyle stress and maintaining a good gut health regime.
Adhering to this outline for digestive wellness, Lifeplan has developed five specifically targeted supplements using evidence-based ingredients:
- Capri Complex (remove) combines caprylic acid, ginger root, oregano, thyme, garlic, curcumin and grapefruit seed
- Digestive Enzyme Complex (replace) blends lactase, amylase, lipase, papain, bromelain, cellulase, calcium and ginger root
- Pro 20 Complex (reinoculate) offers 20 billion live cultures from eight strains of friendly bacteria with naturally occurring polysaccharides, inulin and FOS from chicory root
- L-Glutamine GI Complex (repair) features artichoke, slippery elm powder, curcumin, milk thistle, psyllium husk, marshmallow root and vitamin A
- Daily Green Complex (rebalance) blends wheatgrass, spirulina, chlorella, barley grass and acai, a broad spectrum of enzymes and live cultures, and vitamin C.
The brand also highlights that plenty of sleep, regular exercise and actively managing stress are important factors contributing to a good gut health regime.
Bio-Kult Everyday Gut
ADM Protexin Ltd
Tel: 01460 243230
E-mail: [email protected]
www.bio-kult.co.uk
We believe that a healthier, happier quality of life starts with your unique microbiome. The UK’s number 1 live bacteria brand* has been at the forefront of developing conversation around the gut and the microbiome for the past 25 years. Bio-Kult is a scientifically developed, advanced multi-strain live bacteria supplement, containing 14 live bacterial cultures proven to survive the high acidity of the stomach, and to complement the existing gut flora naturally present in a healthy person’s digestive system. Bio-Kult does not need to be refrigerated and can be taken as part of a healthy diet. With help from our in-house team of scientists, researchers and nutritional experts, we develop our own extensive range of bacteria products to provide something for everyone, with targeted microbiome support. With over 10,000 positive reviews, 30 trials and over 80 awards in the past 5 years, Bio-Kult gives your customers the confidence to take care of them and that’s something to be celebrated – all in all, making life a little more digestible!
Polyzyme
BioCare Ltd
Tel: 0121 433 3727
E-mail: [email protected]
www.biocare.co.uk/polyzyme
Our new Polyzyme is one of the most powerful and comprehensive enzyme complexes available, combining bromelain, lipase, proteases, glucoamylase, lactase, and amylase for broad spectrum support. Enzymes are powerful molecules to help break down foods into smaller particles, including proteases for protein, lipase for fats, lactase for lactose in dairy products, and amylase and alpha galactosidase for carbohydrates. It is designed to retain breakdown capability over a wide range of pH variances throughout the digestive tract, including protease 3.0 which works best in the acidic conditions of the stomach and protease 4.5 for the intestines.
Silicea Gastro-Intestinal Gel
WFBM Healthcare Ltd
Tel: 01782 528611
www.wfbm.co.uk
If your customers suffer with any symptoms of gastrointestinal disturbance including IBS there’s a natural solution which can be taken long term and even during pregnancy.
Silicea Gastro-intestinal gel contain pure Silica and no artificial preservatives which can aggravate some conditions. Silicea has a unique bonding action with pathogens and toxins in the gut which can reduce many of the symptoms associated with food poisoning, flatulence, stomach pains and heartburn.
Available in a handy sachet pack and 200ml & a new 500ml bottle which is ideal for chronic sufferers.
Gutfulness
Gutfulness Ltd
E-mail: [email protected]
www.gutfulness.co.uk
UK’s first certified low FODMAP protein bar. Made with five simple ingredients, plant-based, gluten-free, high fibre. No artificial sweeteners, additives, preservatives and emulsifiers. Created by a gut health expert, Gutfulness is a nutritious, gut-friendly high protein snack that caters for all types of diets.
Digeston Max
HealthAid Ltd
Tel: 020 8426 3400
E-mail: [email protected]
www.HealthAid.co.uk
Digeston® Max – Advanced support for Digestive Well-being!
Digeston® Max is a unique blend of vegan Digestive Enzymes including Amylase, Protease and Lipase which is required to digest carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Lactase, found in this formula, is a digestive enzyme which is effective in eliminating symptoms of lactose intolerance. Digeston® Max has the added benefit of Papain and Bromelain that are known for their anti-inflammatory, enzymatic and digestive properties. The formula is also fortified with a superior blend of 7 Billion acid-resistant Probiotic Strains of Lactobacillus to help replenish the body’s good bacteria, improve digestion and gut health.
Digeston® Max retails at £13.99 for 30 tablets. Contact HealthAid Ltd on 020 8426 3400 for purchase and stockist information or visit
www.healthaid.co.uk.
Biome Balance 25
Lamberts Healthcare Ltd
Tel: 01892 554313
E-mail: [email protected]
www.lambertshealthcare.co.uk
This unique live bacteria formula combines Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, both strains are the focus of fascinating new clinical studies, with the exceptionally well-researched Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. These strains work synergistically to balance the gut microbiome. Lamberts® Biome Balance contains 25 billion live bacteria, scientifically proven to reach the gut alive. Ensuring that the live bacteria can survive passage to the gut and thrive once they arrive is quite a science. To do this our products utilise: A special delayed release capsules, a desiccant built into the tube wall of the pot and refrigerated storage until despatch.
Living Nutrition Your Flora Symbiotics
Living Planet Distribution
Tel: 020 3176 9982
E-mail: [email protected]
www.livingnutrition.co.uk
Crafted in its bespoke laboratory, Living Nutrition has created a range of symbiotics to support the natural diversity of the microbiome. Each symbiotic is a living culture made from fermented, organic sprouted soya beans and teeming with beneficial microorganisms and digestive nutrients. Enriched with a specific blend of herbs to support every digestive type, from sensitive to sluggish, or after antibiotics, Your Flora is fully vegan and does not need to be refrigerated, making it ideal for travel. It’s the perfect companion to keep the gut happy when a little festive indulgence is on the menu.
Planet Paleo Digestive Collagen
Living Planet Distribution
Tel: 020 3176 9982
E-mail: [email protected]
www.planetpaleo.co
Planet Paleo’s Digestive Collagen is an all-in-one digestive formula containing grass fed-certified collagen peptides, clinically proven coactive nutrients, and a special blend of herbs to support digestive function. Together with digestive enzymes and the probiotic L-plantarum, Planet Paleo has added L-glutamine to nourish the gut lining, as well as antioxidants such as quercetin, and vitamin B6. Traditional after-dinner herbs such as peppermint, artichoke and liquorice complement the formula. True to its planet-positive values, Digestive Collagen now comes in home-compostable materials so now it can benefit the planet as well as your customers.
Apple Cider™
New Nordic Ltd
Tel: 0800 389 1255
E-mail: [email protected]
www.newnordic.co.uk
Apple Cider Vinegar – Breakdown of Fats and Health Fluid Balance. The easy and convenient way to take apple cider vinegar. Apple Cider™ is the tablet you need when you live life to the full. The unique bioactive herbal and nutrient combination contained in each tablet contributes to a normal efficient digestion and break down of fats. The tablet, which is manufactured in Sweden, contains highly concentrated apple cider vinegar powder in combination with globe artichoke and dandelion extracts plus choline “liver-vitamin”. The globe artichoke contributes to a normal break down and digestion of fats in the intestines and choline contributes to normal fat metabolism and the maintenance of a normal liver function.
NutraCleanse – Digestive Herbal Tea
NutraTea
Tel: 020 3146 7150
E-mail: [email protected]
www.nutratea.co.uk
NutraCleanse® by NutraTea® is 1 in a range of 22 unique herbal remedy teas that has been expertly blended by pharmacists and nutritionists to help maintain balance and comfort within the digestive system. The comprehensive herbal blend contains 100% active botanicals that have been sustainably sourced including Fennel, Coriander and Burdock Root to help with flatulence, belly spasms and toxin digestion. Each natural tea bag contains no flavourings, oils or excipients enabling it to be reused up to 3 times a day; offering a convenient way to help stimulate digestion and contribute to the normal function of the intestinal tract.
Fermented Gut-loving Water Kefir from PiQi
PiQi (Plantae Group Ltd)
E-mail: [email protected]
www.piqilife.com
Award-winning range of fermented, gut-friendly water kefirs from PiQi.
PiQi was born out of a simple idea to help people look after their gut-health on a plant-based diet, providing an alternative to the popular kefir milk-based beverages on the market. Packing a powerful probiotic punch as well as naturally occurring antioxidants, vitamins, amino acids and 30 billion live cultures per bottle, PiQi drinks can help support healthy gut microbiota, which plays an important role in digestion, weight management, blood regulation, and the immune system.
Available in four delicious, sparkling and dairy-free flavour combinations. Fermented in small batches in Devon using organic sustainably sourced ingredients.
Live Brighter with Good Bacteria
Solaray
Tel: 0800 0851 697
www.clfdistribution.com
www.jumla.co.uk
www.iihealthfoods.com
Support gut health and boost good bacteria in the body with Mightidophilus 12 or 24, part of Solaray’s digestive range. Our effective, best-selling probiotic is available in two potencies, containing 12 or 24 of the most important strains of beneficial bacteria, with each serving providing 20 or 30 billion friendly microorganisms. Each delayed release, vegan capsule allows ‘friendly’ bacteria to pass through stomach acid and be delivered directly to the gut, maximising supplement efficacy, promoting good digestive health and helping people of all ages to live brighter.
Available from CLF, Jumla and Independent Irish Health Foods or contact 0800 0851 697.
TOGETHER HEALTH MULTIBIOTIC
TOGETHER HEALTH
E-mail: [email protected]
www.togetherhealth.co.uk
Together Health’s multibiotic formula includes 36 farm-grown pesticide-free fruits and vegetables carefully fermented in a symbiotic co-culture of 11 strains of live bacteria, yeasts and acetic acid bacteria. It also includes 5 carefully selected live bacteria strains bringing the total CFU count to 13 billion per capsule. This lively multibiotic encourages the rapid growth of hundreds of substrains of friendly bacteria in the digestive system. The ‘living foods’ Together Health use to transport bacteria work in synergy with the other friendly bacteria.
The product is made using gentle manufacturing processes and absolutely no artificial additives, resulting in an effective, clean, pure product.
Probiotic Superfoods
Trivas Ltd
E-mail: [email protected]
www.trivas.co.uk
Beat IBS and Acid Reflux with Probiotic Superfoods from digestive health experts Trivas. Bursting with organic fruits and greens, probiotics, Nootropics, vitamins and key digestive aids, Probiotic Superfoods is the ultimate daily drink to support digestive health.
KEY FEATURES:
– 7 Organic fruits and greens
– 10 billion gut-friendly bacteria
– 100% RDA of vitamins B12 and D3
– High Fibre blend of Flaxseed and Rice Bran
– Nootropic Compounds including 5-HTP, Guarana & Ginseng
– Ginger, Licorice and Aloe Vera for digestive support.
Directions for use: Mix 1 scoop with 250ml of water for a delicious blueberry-flavoured drink.
Yogi Tea® Stomach Ease Organic
Yogi Tea distributed by Euro Food Brands
Tel: 01604 821200
E-mail: [email protected]
www.yogitea.com/en/
This tea is inspired by the secrets of the masalas, the spice blends used in Indian cuisine to make the food delicious and easily digestible. Fennel, liquorice, and peppermint are also highly prised for these properties in Ayurveda. Herbs and spices such as cardamom and ginger round off the flavour of this tea. YOGI TEA® Stomach Ease invites us all to consciously enjoy our meals. This is the tea for everyone who goes by their gut feeling. For a perfect brew, pour 200 ml of freshly boiled water over the teabag and allow to infuse for 5 to 6 minutes.
Rabenhorst Prune Drink
Healthy Food Brands
Tel: 01403 786460
E-mail: [email protected]
ww.rabenhorst-juice.com
Rabenhorst’s Prune Drink is a classic tasty and functional drink made from unsulphurated dry plums to support digestion in a natural way. We use selected, sun ripened plums of the best quality. After harvesting, the plums are gently dried and processed to create a full-bodied, fruity prune drink. One bottle of Prune Drink (750ml) contains around 1233g of fresh plums in concentrated form. Recommended intake of 200ml per day before breakfast. The Rabenhorst range in the UK includes Organic Beetroot Pure Juice, Cherry & Blueberry Nectar, Ginger Mix, Detox, Wheatgrass and Immune drinks. Rabenhorst – The very best for you.
