In the quest for optimal health and well-being, the importance of a balanced diet and regular exercise cannot be overstated. However, for many individuals, achieving specific health goals such as improving gut health, boosting metabolism, and losing weight can be a challenging endeavor. This is where dietary supplements enter the picture, offering a valuable complement to one’s lifestyle choices.
We spoke with Destini Moody, a registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics, to reveal to us the supplements that can help with gut health, boost metabolism and lose weight. Moody revealed that probiotics and fiber supplements are the two best options.
Probiotics
Probiotic supplements are the superheroes of gut health, metabolism, and weight management. Packed with beneficial bacteria strains, they restore the delicate balance in your gut microbiome, fostering a harmonious environment for digestion and nutrient absorption. This gut equilibrium not only aids in minimizing digestive woes but also holds the potential to rev up your metabolism by optimizing nutrient utilization.
"Probiotics are supplements that contain live bacteria, but not the type of bacteria that make you sick. These beneficial bacteria can work towards enriching your body‘s natural population of bacteria in the gut. The more diverse and larger, the population of good bacteria in your gut, the healthier you can be, according to science," Moody notes.
Fiber
Fiber supplements are nutritional powerhouses known for their remarkable impact on overall well-being. When it comes to gut health, they're the unsung heroes, promoting regular bowel movements and providing sustenance to beneficial gut bacteria. This nurtures a thriving gut microbiome, which is fundamental for digestive health. Fiber also has a unique ability to create a sense of fullness, aiding appetite control and potentially reducing calorie intake. By enhancing satiety and promoting healthy digestion, fiber supplements indirectly contribute to weight loss efforts.
"Fiber supplements like Metamucil can not only serve as a prebiotic to help nourish the good bacteria in your gut, but can also play a major role in weight management. Fiber does not have calories, and cannot be absorbed by the body. Since it cannot be fully broken down, fiber also slows the digestion, which means that food sticks around longer in your stomach. When this happens, you have a feeling of being full for longer which can reduce food intake over time and help control weight," Moody shares.
