Supporting Digestive Health

Most people don’t spend any time thinking about the amazing and intricate role their digestive system plays in their health and well-being.

Everything you consume – proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, etc. – goes through your digestive tract to be broken down into building blocks as needed, and then absorbed into your bloodstream to be carried to your cells and tissues. At the same time, waste products generated from your cells can be eliminated through your digestive tract, which removes toxins to help keep your body functioning optimally.

In addition, scientists estimate that approximately 80% of your immune system is found within your digestive tract! This makes sense, since your digestive tract deals with foods and liquids you put into your body from the outside world. So not only is the digestive system a

major part of the Nutrient Superhighway, it also must protect us from foreign invaders to make sure they don’t make it past your digestive tract to get deeper inside your body and cause trouble. Thus, it is of the utmost importance that we support our digestive systems in order to support our health!

Forever Aloe Vera Gel™ (#015) provides many benefits to help support our digestive tracts – as well as other body systems, including the immune system, which is why we always say

it should be the first product you consider in any supplement regimen. Aloe Vera Gel has been shown to help soothe the stomach and intestinal tract. This can help to support the cells that line these vital organs, keeping them functioning optimally. It is via the cells that line the intestines that nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream to be carried to your other body tissues.

Research also demonstrates that Aloe Vera can help to enhance the bioavailability of the food and nutrients we consume – from the protein in our meals to the vitamins in our dietary

supplements. This helps to support the absorption of these vital macro and micronutrients in our digestive systems to carry these building blocks throughout your body. In fact, the addition of Aloe Vera has been shown to enhance the bioavailability of Vitamin E by almost 4 times!

Another key facet in the absorption of nutrients from your digestive tract, and also playing a key role in immune function, is good bacteria. There are good bacteria in and on our bodies,

but unfortunately we tend to have an imbalance in the ratio of helpful vs other bacteria in our digestive tracts. Scientists indicate that we want more good bacteria, a ratio of 85:15 in favor of the good bacteria in our intestines, but right now, most of us have the reverse of

that ratio! Since these good bacteria are essential for the absorption of nutrients as well as helping to protect us against foreign invaders that may sneak into our digestive systems via the food we eat, it is absolutely imperative that we support the population of these friendly flora.

Forever Active Probiotic® (#222) offers 6 strains of beneficial bacteria to help repopulate your intestinal tract and support your digestive (and immune) system. Its shelf-stable, beadlet technology also makes it convenient to take anywhere - it does not need to be refrigerated, so it can be easily carried in a purse, bag or pocket. Remember that Forever Aloe Vera Gel acts as a prebiotic to help feed the good bacteria in your intestines, so

this is why it is such a perfect partner for Forever Active Probiotic!

Forever Arctic Sea® (#376) offers another means to support the digestive system – via Omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty acids comprise the membranes of every cell in our bodies, keeping them fluid and helping them to not only communicate with each other, but also

fostering the transport of necessary nutrients into the cell and waste products out of the cell. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in supporting cell membranes, including the cells of the digestive tract to support nutrient absorption, as well as cells in the immune system of the digestive tract to function against invaders.

In addition, Omega-3 fatty acids help to balance out the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids in the body, which should be closer to a 1:1 or 1:4 ratio than the current 1:20 ratio the standard Western diet provides. Omega-6 fatty acids contribute to inflammatory pathways in the body, which can impact the cells of the digestive tract and nutrient absorption, as well as immune system function. Omega-3 fatty acids, like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), can

not only help to keep cell membranes more fluid and support transport pathways, but can also help to support secretion of digestive enzymes that help to break down our food. Fostering a balance of Omega-3 fatty acids through supplementation with a high-quality fish

oil providing high levels of EPA and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) can help to support overall digestive health.

The digestive system plays an integral role in our overall health and well-being. Supporting it helps to enhance our nutrient absorption and utilization, as well as supporting our overall immune function. There are no better ways to optimize digestive function than consuming a healthy diet, plus obtaining the digestive benefits from Forever Aloe Vera Gel, Forever Active Probiotic, and Forever Arctic Sea, which are all included in the Forever Vital5 Pak™ (#456)!