With the rise of toxicity in our food and water, radiation, processed food consumption, GMOs, glyphosate, and stress, most Americans are suffering from gut issues. They include IBS, SIBO, Leaky Gut, acid reflux, mood disorders, systemic inflammation, and even slow metabolisms.
Causes of Gut Issues
From eating the wrong diet to medications, auto immune disorders and toxins, there are many causes of gut issues.
One area of concern is taking the wrong supplements, ones that are bad for gut health. Let’s explore which supplements are worse for gut health.
The Worst Supplements for Gut Health
Sulfur Containing Supplements and Medications
Sulfur supplements and medications may disrupt the detoxification pathways, which can lead to a backed up liver, cause motility issues in the intestine, and lead to SIBO and other gut issues.
Some supplements and medications contain sulfur including MSM, glutathione, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, cysteine and methionine, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), Sulfasalazine (ironically used to treat IBD, Colitis and Crohn’s), and sulfonamide antibiotics.
Probiotics
There are so many probiotics available that may be high in histamine in addition to feeding the wrong bacteria in the small intestine. Furthermore, most probiotics don’t survive the stomach acid and get to the proper place to work effectively. Lastly, most probiotic supplements consist of 5-10 strains which may overpopulate the gut with too many of a few strains and not enough of others. This can worsen the gut microbiome balance.
Laxatives
Laxatives may be a temporary solution to constipation, but can cause malabsorption of nutrients, weakened colon muscles, and other gut issues.
Smooth Muscle Relaxants
These may help temporarily relieve and prevent intestinal cramping, but taking them can cause heartburn, constipation, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating.
Antidiarrheal Medications
Medications designed to address diarrhea work by slowing the movement of contents through the intestines, lessening the frequency of bowel movements, and enhancing stool consistency. Nonetheless, these medications may lead to the following adverse effects: skin blistering, peeling or loosening, chest pain or discomfort, reduced urine output, diminished urination frequency, urinary difficulties, rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat, appearance of hives or welts, itching, skin rash, or irregular or slowed heartbeat.
Antidepressants
Some people suggest that these medications can help treat IBS due to the gut brain axis; however, they may actually cause Leaky Gut, which can worsen gut issues.
Turmeric
Turmeric is renowned for its effectiveness in addressing a broad spectrum of gastrointestinal problems, such as alleviating stomach discomfort and regulating bowel movements. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that turmeric is considered a high-oxalate food, and elevated oxalate levels can potentially lead to inflammatory, hypothyroid, and urogenital complications, among others. Consequently, in the long run, the consumption of turmeric may exacerbate symptoms associated with gut issues.
Psyllium Husk
Psyllium Husk serves as a rich source of soluble dietary fiber, aiding in the cleansing of the intestines by eliminating food residues and toxins from the body. While psyllium husk offers valuable advantages to gut health, it’s worth noting that in some cases, it can lead to constipation, bloating, and discomfort for certain individuals.
Fermented Foods
Kombucha, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods are full of unknown probiotics and may feed the wrong gut bacteria; this may actually worsen the gut microbiome.
High Fiber Supplements
Most people think more fiber will help with issues like constipation, bloating, and weight management; however, these supplements may worsen the symptoms and put more stress on the digestive system.
My Top Picks For The Best Gut Health Supplements
As a Board Certified Supplement Expert I’ve seen my share of good and bad supplements. These are my top picks if you want your gut health to flourish once again.
Accelerated Cellular Detox® Powder
Accelerated Cellular Detox® Powder is known as the “Gut Superhero” due to the combination of six organic ingredients that help reduce stomach and intestinal inflammation and bloat, balance diarrhea and constipation issues, soak up the toxins from the day and from years of build up, increase nutrient absorption, and help alleviate all gut issues. It is further enhanced with scalar frequencies to soak up insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, and radiation.
Accelerated Fast®
One of the most effective gut healing practices is intermittent fasting where the gut gets a break from digesting food and can reduce inflammation on its own. Accelerated Fast® suppresses the appetite for sugar and carbs, kicking the body into ketosis, and helping the body tap into its own fat stores for energy.
As a result, it is very easy to implement intermittent fasting, allowing the body to do its own healing. Furthermore, the additional ingredients in the supplement help cleanse the liver, turning the saturated liver fat into unsaturated liver fat so that it is easier for the body to utilize for energy and metabolize. The liver function then improves significantly which helps with all gut function. Accelerated Fast® is further enhanced with scalar frequencies to cleanse the liver, increase metabolism and energy, and convert saturated liver fat into unsaturated fat.
Accelerated Ancient Salt®
Most people are low in electrolytes which can inhibit nutrient absorption, fat metabolism, and bowel regularity. Accelerated Ancient Salt® is a strongly negatively charged salt that helps soak up the “positively charged” toxins, parasites, and undigested fats that disrupt gut function. It further helps with nausea and constipation related to gut issues.
Accelerated Leaky Gut Bundle
The Accelerated Leaky Gut Bundle includes the Megaspore, MegaPre, and MegaMucosa, encompassing a full protocol that heals the gut quickly and supports ongoing resilience. These powerful leaky gut supplements work in the following ways:
- Megaspore. This is a sporebiotic, different from any other type of probiotic. it reconditions the gut by promoting the correct microbial diversity that the gut needs without overpopulating it with the wrong strains of probiotics. Furthermore, it is able to survive the harsh environment of stomach acid where most probiotics die.
- Megapre. This is designed to carefully help the beneficial bacteria from the megaspore to populate quickly and reinforce the positive changes in the gut.
- MegaMucosa. This helps restore the tight junctions and the mucosal lining within the gut that is destroyed with most gut issues. It includes immunoglobulins that help with intestinal barrier function and detoxification, amino acids that play an important role in the mucosal lining, and citrus polyphenols that support gut barrier function.
Additional Supplements For Great Gut Health
HCL Guard+
As we get older, our stomachs might need a bit of help with acid production to keep our muscles, hair, skin, and cells in top shape. HCL Guard+ is here to support your stomach and tackle issues like constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, burping, and even hair, skin, and nail health.
Why You Need HCL Guard+
A healthy stomach naturally produces strong acid to:
- Break down food
- Digest proteins
- Release essential nutrients
- Kill harmful pathogens
- Ensure efficient digestion
How HCL Guard+ Supports You
- Enhances nutrient and amino acid digestion for better energy and overall health
- Supports your body’s defenses against harmful organisms
- Helps repair your stomach lining and cells
- Stimulates proper food movement through your digestive system
HCL Guard+ mimics your body’s natural processes, giving your stomach the extra support it needs to keep you feeling great.
Sara Banta's Liver Flush Cleanse
If the liver is backed up, then the gut won’t work optimally.
A backed up liver results in poor fat and protein metabolism, lower metabolic rate, increased recycled “bad” estrogens in the body, and other gut issues.
Sara Banta’s Liver Flush Cleanse is designed to soften liver and gallstones and flush them out of the body. As a result detoxification, microbiome, hormonal balance, metabolism and overall gut function improve significantly.
Holozyme Digestive Enzymes
When taken with meals, Holozyme digestive enzyme formulation helps speed up the breakdown of food into usable nutrients, alleviating gas, bloat, and undigested foods. When food isn’t broken down properly, bigger food particles are left to ferment inside the gut and feed the bad bugs. Holozyme is different from any other enzyme formula with its AES patented absorption technology which prevents enzymes from being destroyed by stomach acid, activates each specific enzyme to turn at the right time, and has organic trace minerals in it to support gut health.
Oxy Clear
Oxy Clear helps provide detoxification of the gut while encouraging healthy bowel movements. It is also an integral part of the Sara Banta’s Liver Flush Cleanse which improves gut function, detoxification and metabolism.
MegaIgG2000
MegalgG2000 is a dairy-free immunoglobulin concentrate that helps clean up the toxins that are not supposed to be in the gut and supports healthy digestion and gut barrier function.
HU58
HU58 has Bacillus subtilis, a spore-based biotic that is known to release a wide range of natural antibiotics that target common pathogenic organisms related to SIBO, leaky gut and other gut issues. Those included are E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus, S. aureus, S. pyogenes, and Candida.
MegaMycoBalance
In some cases, gut issues can be connected to fungal overgrowth or Candida. The undecylenic acid in MegaMycoBalance helps inhibit the formation of germ tubes and restrict the growth of Candida.
Laxa Komfort
Constipation is one of the primary causes of gut issues, because it leads to the recycling of toxins and excess estrogens. Laxa Comfort helps with constipation, as it stimulates bowel movements safely within 6-8 hours.
Lifestyle Changes to Help Improve Gut Health
The most powerful steps you can take to to support your gut health is to make lifestyle changes that support a happy, health gut.
Lower Stress Levels
Most people are under severe stress which increases acidity throughout the body, causes leaky gut, lowers thyroid and metabolism function, and usually is the root cause of most gut issues. By incorporating things such as meditation, exercise, gratitude journaling, and proper sleep, the side effects of stress typically lessen.
Eliminate Amyloid Proteins
Oxalates are plant poisons found in “healthy” foods that not only wreak havoc on the gut, but are also connected to brain fog, arthritis, gout and urogenital issues. Oxalates strengthen biofilm formation which strengthens the gut pathogens like mold, candida, bacteria and viruses that are causing dysbiosis, leaky gut, and other gut issues. Oxalates are found in spinach, almonds, kale, peanuts, berries, chocolate, and most nuts.
Eliminate Sulfur Foods
These foods have been known to be “healthy” and help detox the liver, but with the infiltration of glyphosate and increased toxic burden, our sulfur detox pathways have been hijacked. Adding in sulfur compounds from food and medication overburdens the liver and backs it up further. Foods that contain sulfur include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, egg yolk, onions, and garlic.
Limit Fat Intake
Many gut issues stem from backed up livers, which inhibits fat metabolism. As a result, fat intake may cause nausea, fat gain, and gut issues. As the body heals, healthy fat intake can be increased, but inflammatory fats including the seed oils should be avoided at all times, as they will cause leaky gut, bloat, nutrient malabsorption and more.
Sara Banta
Sara Banta is a Stanford University Graduate with a Degree in Economics and Psychology, and a certified Natural Supplement Expert & Graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Sara is the Founder of Accelerated Health Products and host of the health & wellness podcast, Accelerated Health Radio.
