Gut Health Supplements

Gut health supplements are designed to support your digestive system, which does the vital job of extracting nutrients from your food. The best known are supplements containing live 'friendly' bacteria (often called probiotics), usually paired with a prebiotic base to feed them. Traditional digestive herbs also feature, such as peppermint oil, which has a relaxing effect on the gut, and milk thistle, traditionally used to relieve the symptoms of overindulgence.

Your gut microbiome is the vast community of bacteria living in your digestive tract, where over 400 different species are hard at work. This balance of friendly and less-friendly bacteria helps your body extract vital nutrients from food and supports a healthy immune system. Modern-day living, stress and certain medicines (especially antibiotics) can all take their toll, which is why many people use gut supplements to help maintain that balance.

They're used to support the everyday work of your digestive system, from maintaining a healthy balance of friendly bacteria to easing occasional discomfort. Live bacteria supplements like our Acidophilus range help top up your gut flora, activated charcoal contributes to reducing excessive flatulence after eating, and traditional herbs such as peppermint oil have a relaxing effect on the gut while milk thistle is used to relieve the symptoms of overindulgence.

Start with what you're trying to support. For everyday gut balance and topping up friendly bacteria, our Acidophilus Plus+ (5 billion CFU)the natural starting point, with Super Plus+ (20 billion) for extra support or after antibiotics. For bloating and excess gas, activated charcoalthe targeted choice, while peppermint oil suits those wanting a traditional calming digestive aid. Milk thistle is the one to reach for after periods of overindulgence.

Probiotics are live friendly bacteria, like the strains found in our Acidophilus range. Prebiotics are a type of plant fibre that acts as food for those bacteria, helping them thrive once they reach your gut. They work as a team - which is why our Acidophilus Plus+ supplements combine carefully selected bacterial strains with a supporting prebiotic base in one capsule.

Many people find it easiest to take their probiotic with breakfast, making it part of the morning routine. Our Acidophilus capsules are formulated to be 'delayed release', helping the bacteria survive the journey through stomach acid to where they're needed. As with most supplements, taking it consistently every day matters more than the exact time you take it.

Activated charcoal contributes to reducing excessive flatulence after eating, making it a popular choice for those uncomfortable, gassy days. Peppermint oil is another favourite - it has a relaxing, soothing effect on the gut and has long been used as a digestive aid. If bloating is persistent or painful, it's always sensible to speak to your GP.

Antibiotics can't tell the difference between unwanted bacteria and the friendly bacteria in your gut, so many people choose to take a live bacteria supplement during and after a course to help top up their levels. If you do, leave a gap of a couple of hours between your antibiotic and your probiotic, and check with your GP or pharmacist if you're unsure.

CFU stands for 'colony forming units', a measure of how many live bacteria each capsule provides. Our Acidophilus Plus+ delivers 5 billion CFU, a solid everyday level, while Acidophilus Super Plus+ steps up to 20 billion for those wanting extra support. More isn't automatically better, though, as the variety of strains matters too, which is why both contain six carefully selected strains alongside a supporting prebiotic base.

Not necessarily. If you eat plenty of fibre, fermented foods and live yoghurt, you may already be supporting your gut well through diet alone. A daily supplement is simply a convenient option for people who don't, or who want extra support during and after a course of antibiotics, while travelling, or through periods of stress. It's about topping up a healthy routine rather than replacing good food.

Our gut range is built around quality and honesty. Our newly reformulated Acidophilus capsules are delayed-release — protecting the six carefully selected bacterial strains through stomach acid so they reach the gut alive and every product clearly states its strain count and CFU, so you know exactly what you're getting rather than guessing from vague labels. Alongside the live bacteria range, we offer traditional digestive herbs like peppermint oil and milk thistle, all manufactured to strict GMP standards in the UK.