Tired of being bombarded by breaking news about the vitamins you NEED to take RIGHT NOW for the best digestive health EVER? It can get pretty overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. We are here with the, quite literal, ABC’s of digestive health you ought to know so you can offer your customers optimal digestive support. So kick back, relax, and read on!
1. Vitamin A
Primarily known for boosting vision, reproductive, bone, and immune health, vitamin A has an indirect link to digestive wellbeing and vice versa. Some gastrointestinal diseases can cause a deficiency in vitamin A. Example? According to a study in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, vitamin A deficiency is more common among people with Crohn’s disease. It was noted that a lack of vitamin A can exacerbate the imbalance between the formation and destruction of free radicals in the intestinal mucus lining of people with Crohn’s (everydayhealth). A supplement has the potential to help so many who need the extra dose.
2. B Vitamins
Found in protein-rich foods such as poultry, fish, dairy products, meat, beans, and leafy green vegetables, B vitamins help the body form red blood cells and create cell energy from the food we eat. These vitamins are water-soluble, meaning that we are unable to store them in fat cells for later use. Therefore, B vitamins need to be ingested regularly.
Breakdown of the B’s:
- B 1 (AKA thiamine): helps the body convert carbs to cell energy and regulate appetite.
- B 3 (AKA niacin): essential for healthy function of the digestive tract. This includes the breakdown of fats, alcohol, and carbs. A deficiency of vitamin B3 may lead to a disease called pellagra, which involves severe diarrhea and vomiting.
- B 6 (AKA pyridoxine): vital to food processing throughout the digestive system.
- Biotin: in fact a B vitamin, biotin assists the digestive system produce cholesterol and process proteins, fatty acids, and carbs.
- B 12 (AKA cobalamin): instrumental to the nervous system, production of blood cells, and the body’s utilization of folic acid and carbs. Lacking B12 can lead to anemia.
3. Vitamin C
Commonly found in daily multivitamins, and thought of as the cold-fighting vitamin since it is an antioxidant, vitamin C actually also plays a pretty significant role in maintaining strong digestion. This is because vitamin C supports healthy gums, teeth, and helps the body absorb iron. Some people may need the extra boost with supplementation, but citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries, broccoli, peppers, and fortified cereal are all great food sources of vitamin C.
4. Vitamin D
Coming in strong for our nerves, immune system, and muscles, according to a study published in Gut, vitamin D is also connected to a reduced risk of colon cancer. People who may need a vitamin D supplement include, but are not limited to: older adults, people with an inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease or cystic fibrosis, and those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery. As for vitamin-D rich foods, egg yolks, fortified milk and cereal, and saltwater fish are excellent sources. And let’s not forget the easiest, most natural exposure to vitamin D—the sun!
Better Get Started
Now that you have the 4-1-1 on some of the best vitamins for digestive health, let’s remember that 2019 is a few weeks away! It is time to gear up for a year of great health and fortune. Your brand’s success can skyrocket, while your customers’ health thrives. From concept to fruition, Makers Nutrition is here for it all. To guide and assist, to create and complete. Call us today for a vitamin manufacturing quote at 1-844-625-3771.
Sources: