Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Stomach

Also known as: Gastric supplements, Oral nutritional supplements (ONS), Probiotics, Prebiotics, Dietary supplements for gastrointestinal health, Probiotics, Prebiotics, Oral nutritional supplements, Magnesium oxide, Kiwifruit supplements, Gastric Supplements

Overview

Supplements targeting stomach health encompass a range of products designed to improve digestive function, gut integrity, and overall gastrointestinal well-being. These include probiotics, which introduce beneficial live bacteria to the gut; prebiotics, which nourish existing beneficial bacteria; oral nutritional supplements (ONS), providing essential nutrients, especially post-surgery; and specific food-derived supplements like kiwifruit extracts. These supplements are used to manage digestive symptoms, enhance gut barrier function, support nutritional status after gastrectomy, and alleviate conditions like constipation. They work by modulating gut microbiota, reducing inflammation, improving nutrient absorption, and restoring digestive function. Research support varies, with strong evidence for probiotics, prebiotics, and ONS in specific contexts, backed by numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses. The quality of evidence is generally high, particularly for probiotics and ONS, making them valuable tools for managing gastrointestinal health.

Benefits

Probiotics have been shown to reduce digestive symptoms, improving gastrointestinal comfort and function. Prebiotic supplementation can lower lipopolysaccharide levels, indicating improved gut barrier function and reduced systemic inflammation. Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) significantly improve body weight, body composition, and laboratory nutritional parameters in post-gastrectomy patients, supporting recovery and nutritional status. Magnesium oxide supplements have demonstrated effectiveness in improving stool frequency and alleviating constipation symptoms in adults. However, not all supplements show consistent benefits; for example, kiwifruit supplements did not significantly impact stool frequency in individuals with chronic constipation, highlighting the variability in efficacy among different supplements.

How it works

Probiotics modulate gut microbiota composition, enhance the mucosal barrier, reduce inflammation, and compete with pathogenic bacteria. Prebiotics serve as substrates for beneficial gut bacteria, promoting their growth and the production of short-chain fatty acids, which support gut barrier integrity. Oral Nutritional Supplements provide essential macro- and micronutrients for tissue repair, immune function, and overall nutritional replenishment, particularly post-surgery. Magnesium oxide acts as an osmotic laxative, increasing water retention in the intestines to facilitate bowel movements. Absorption and bioavailability vary; probiotics require viable bacteria reaching the gut, prebiotics resist digestion until fermentation in the colon, and ONS are absorbed in the small intestine.

Side effects

Supplements for stomach health are generally safe when used as directed. Common side effects of probiotics and prebiotics include mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating or gas. Magnesium oxide may cause diarrhea or abdominal cramping. Allergic reactions are rare. Caution is advised when using probiotics in immunocompromised patients. Magnesium oxide is contraindicated in severe renal impairment. Post-gastrectomy patients require tailored ONS under medical supervision. It's important to adhere to recommended dosages to minimize potential adverse effects. While serious adverse events are uncommon, individuals should consult healthcare professionals before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if they have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

Dosage

Probiotic dosages vary widely, with effective doses often ranging from 10^9 to 10^11 CFU/day in studies. Prebiotic dosages typically range from 3 to 10 grams per day. Oral Nutritional Supplement (ONS) dosing is individualized based on caloric and protein needs, especially post-surgery. Magnesium oxide dosages for constipation typically range from 300 to 600 mg per day. Probiotics and prebiotics are often taken daily, while ONS timing is coordinated with meals or post-discharge protocols. It is important to adhere to recommended dosages and consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage for individual needs and health conditions.

FAQs

Are probiotics effective for stomach health?

Yes, evidence supports that probiotics can reduce digestive symptoms and improve overall gut health by modulating the gut microbiota.

Can supplements help after stomach surgery?

Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are beneficial for improving recovery and nutritional status following gastrectomy, aiding in tissue repair and nutrient replenishment.

Are all fiber supplements equally effective?

No, the efficacy varies. For example, kiwifruit supplements have not shown significant benefits for constipation, indicating that not all fiber supplements are equally effective.

Are these supplements safe long-term?

Generally, yes, but medical supervision is recommended, especially post-surgery or with comorbidities, to ensure safe and effective usage.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5900870/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis found that probiotics significantly reduced digestive symptoms compared to placebo, improving composite symptom scores. The study included multiple RCTs with adequate controls, providing high-quality evidence supporting the efficacy of probiotics in managing digestive health. However, the authors noted heterogeneity in probiotic strains and doses as a limitation.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661825002051 – This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that prebiotic supplementation significantly lowered lipopolysaccharide levels, indicating improved gut barrier function. The study included various RCTs assessing lipopolysaccharide levels. While the evidence is moderate to high-quality, the authors noted high heterogeneity among the included studies.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S240545772200479X – This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy and found that post-discharge oral nutritional supplements (ONS) significantly improved body weight, composition, and lab nutritional markers. The study highlighted the good safety profile of ONS. Variability in supplement formulations was noted as a limitation.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1488054/full – This systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs, including 787 participants, found that magnesium oxide significantly improved stool frequency and constipation symptoms. The study provides high-quality evidence supporting the use of magnesium oxide for constipation management. The authors noted that the analysis was limited to constipation outcomes.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nmo.14613 – This study investigated the effects of magnesium oxide on chronic constipation. The results indicated a significant improvement in stool frequency and overall constipation symptoms among participants. The findings suggest that magnesium oxide can be an effective intervention for managing chronic constipation.