GUT HEALTH

Gut Health

Common question: Are probiotics and digestive enzymes the same thing?

Answer: No!

Enzymes react with your stomach acid to break down nutrients in your food for absorption. Protease, Lipase, Amylase are enzymes that break down protein, fat, and carbohydrates respectively.

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that live in your lower intestines and are constantly assaulted by antibiotics that kill bacteria, environmental toxins, antibacterial products, glyphosate (in pesticides - another good reason to eat organic). The body can't make probiotics. Probiotics will proliferate in your gut under the right conditions.

Do you need both? If you have issues with digestion, heart burn, absorption, nutrient deficiencies, you need digestive enzymes.

Unless you live in an organic bubble, you need probiotics. Maybe not everyday for the rest of your life, but it is a good idea to do a few courses of probiotics a year. Probiotics help with regularity, body odor, mental clarity, immunity, fertility and so much more.

Dr. Vanessa Stretton, MSOM, DACM, LAc