inspiration

7 Things Everyone Can Do to Make a Difference This Holiday Season

Posted on by Scott Christ

The holidays are a tough time for so many people. But, one of the best ways to cope with the holiday blues (and be a better human) is to do things to help others.

We get so caught up with our own problems that sometimes we forget that many people have it much, much worse than us.

Here are some things you can do this holiday season to make a difference in others’ lives and feel better about yourself.

  1. Sign up to be an organ donor. The way I see it, when my time has come, I know I can’t take my organs with me, so why wouldn’t I donate them to someone who can use them? You are literally giving the gift of life to up to 8 people … what better way to go out than that? Sign up here.
  2. Donate your money, used goods, and/or time. I realize many people may not have extra money to give and are just doing their best to get by. But everyone has a) time, and b) stuff they don’t use anymore. Organizations like Goodwill and Salvation Army will take your used stuff, sell it, and use the proceeds to make a difference in your local community. If you do have money to donate, one of my favorite charities is Feeding America, which helps provide meals for the 1 out of every 9 Americans who face hunger every day.
  3. Help an animal in need. If you’re an animal lover, here are some ideas from Petfinder to help out our furry friends.
  4. Call or spend face-to-face time with someone you love. As a society we’ve become reliant on email and text. While efficient, they are obviously not nearly as personal as face-to-face communication or talking to someone over the phone. So pick up the phone and call a friend or family member you haven’t talked to … especially those ones that may be alone around the holidays.
  5. Plant a tree in a loved one’s honor. Trees add value to your home, regulate the temperature of your house and neighborhood, and provide food for wildlife. And, what better way to remember someone you care about than planting something beautiful that will provide benefits to the world long after you’re gone? A $50 membership to the Arbor Day Foundation makes a great gift (plus they’ll give you 5 free trees)! They have great deals on trees and shipments arrive in both spring and fall.
  6. Give a toy to a child in need. If you have the resources, you can score some great deals on toys around the holidays and donate them to the Marine Toys for Tots program. It’s a wonderful way to put a smile on a child’s face this holiday season.
  7.  Support our brave military members and their families. Soldier’s Angels is a great organization that offers a number of ways to help you make a difference in the lives of our military service members, veterans, and their families.

Let us know what you’re doing to give back this holiday season!

inspiration

40 Positive Quotes to Help You Get Through Tough Times

Posted on by Scott Christ
  1. “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” -Aristotle Onassis
  2. “All our dreams can come true–if we have the courage to pursue them.” -Walt Disney
  3. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”  -Helen Keller
  4. “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” -Napoleon Hill
  5. “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” -Zig Ziglar
  6. “Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is.” – Anne Frank
  7. It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” -Abraham Lincoln
  8. “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” -Tony Robbins
  9. “Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.” -Charles Swindoll
  10. “I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” -Audrey Hepburn
  11. “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” -Harriet Beecher Stowe
  12. “You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality in the mind next to honor.“ -Aristotle
  13. “There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.” -Paulo Coelho
  14. “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” -Buddha
  15. “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” -Oprah Winfrey
  16. “The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.” -Chinese Proverb
  17. “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” -Albert Einstein
  18. “First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end.” -Aristotle
  19. “The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.” -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
  20. “Every day I will renew my commitment and think about the benefits that come from it.” -John Maxwell
  21. “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” -Bruce Lee
  22. “People who labor all their lives but have no purpose to direct every thought and impulse toward are wasting their time–even when hard at work.” -Marcus Aurelius
  23. “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be”. -Lao Tzu
  24. “In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.” -Tony Robbins
  25. “When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.” -Helen Keller
  26. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
  27. “If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.” -Micheal Jordan
  28. “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
  29. “I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” -Stephen Covey
  30. “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life.  When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I wrote down ‘happy’.  They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -John Lennon
  31. “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.“ -Friedrich Nietzsche
  32. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” -Steve Jobs
  33. “When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt
  34. “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” -Vince Lombardi
  35. “Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” -Walt Disney
  36. “Do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you, stop being hypocritical, self-centered, irritable.” -Marcus Aurelius
  37. “I am thankful for all of those who said NO to me. Its because of them I’m doing it myself.” -Albert Einstein
  38. “He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if he had failed.“ -William James
  39. “The best revenge is massive success.” -Frank Sinatra
  40. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” -Robert Frost
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics

How to Use Pure Food DIGEST for Best Results

Posted on by Scott Christ

If you’ve recently bought Pure Food DIGEST, or are considering buying it, here’s a quick primer with some tips and tricks for getting the most out of the product.

When to Take Pure Food DIGEST

First and foremost, always take DIGEST with or right after a meal. If you don’t, you will likely experience gas, bloating, and/or an upset stomach.

To that end, those type of symptoms are completely normal and expected for the first 1-3 weeks … even if you are taking the product as-recommended.

Here’s why …

When you introduce your microbiome to new probiotics, it is highly likely your gut will require some time to acclimate. If you’re still experiencing these symptoms after a few weeks, stop taking it (and contact us for a full refund).

How Many Capsules Should You Take?

If you’re new to probiotics, we recommend starting with 1 capsule, once per day (with your largest meal).

Most of our customers find that taking 2 capsules daily results in the most benefits. Some folks prefer to take more than this, but you certainly don’t need to.

Again, if you’re new to probiotics, start with one capsule. If you’re a probiotics pro, try 2 per day (1 with breakfast and 1 with dinner is a common approach that works very well for many of our customers).

How Long Until You Feel Results?

Some people experience results immediately–within 1-2 days. For others, it can take 2-4 weeks to experience the full range of benefits.

Also, while many of the benefits of taking DIGEST are tangible (improved digestion, less gas and bloating, etc.), it’s important to understand that some are not. In other words, you can’t see or feel them.

But as you can see from the list below, this product has ingredients proven by science to provide some pretty amazing intangible benefits as well.

pure food digestive enzymes plus probiotics ingredients

 

Other Tips for Improving Your GI Health With DIGEST

  • Drink lots of water (having a large water bottle next to you all day helps).
  • Eat at least 30 grams of fiber each day. The more fiber you eat, the more you’ll help “feed” the good bacteria in DIGEST.
  • Identify and avoid “trigger” foods that cause excessive gas and bloating.

Have Other Questions About DIGEST?

Contact us and we’ll get back to you!

Get DIGEST Now

 

nutrition

Defining the Best Natural Protein Powder: What Makes It Natural?

Posted on by Scott Christ
daily protein intake needed

One of the hottest trends in the health and wellness product market is “all natural.” But what does this actually mean? Truth is, “all-natural” is often just a marketing ploy to try to capitalize on a consumer’s desire to be healthy. To find the best natural protein powders, it’s important to dig a little deeper beyond the marketing claims to uncover what’s actually in the product. Here are a few things you should watch out for when looking for an all-natural protein powder.

Sugars & Artificial Sweeteners

It’s fantastic when your favorite healthy products taste great. But oftentimes, taste and “healthy” are mutually exclusive. Most so-called healthy natural protein powders that taste great contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners and “natural flavors” that don’t have any nutritional value and may actually do more harm than good.

The best natural protein powders should be lower in added sugar. If you want your protein to taste sweeter, blend it with fruit or add a natural sweetener like monkfruit or stevia. That’s because excess sugar in your diet is one of the leading causes of weight gain, diabetes, higher blood pressure, and a host of other issues.

It’s counterproductive to create a “healthy” and “all natural” protein powder that contains added sugar.

Fillers, Gums, & Other Junk

You’ll also notice the difference between natural protein powders and the less-than-natural powders while you’re mixing them. Thickeners and gums are generally used to even out the powder for a smoother finished shake. Generally, if you can just stir, mix or give your bottle a quick shake to create a smooth drink, the product is using these products. The best natural protein powders don’t use these things because they have zero nutritional value and can cause GI issues like gas, bloating, and diarrhea. If you find a good all natural protein powder that doesn’t contain this junk, use a blender for 5-10 seconds and it’ll mix up just fine.

The Best Natural Protein Powders Generally Have Less Ingredients

Once again, check out the ingredient list. If you see a long list of ingredients and chemicals you can’t pronounce, chances are good that there are some unnecessary things in there, and they probably aren’t all good for you. The best natural protein powders keep things clean and simple with a clear and minimal ingredients list. It’s a protein powder, not a magic potion.

One last thing: if you have questions about a particular product, ask the manufacturer! You’ll get a good sense of how the company operates and what their values are by seeing how they answer your questions.

If you’re getting answers that sound too rehearsed and/or are skirting around the issues you have, it’s probably a red flag to find another product.

The best natural protein powders out there actually want you to be healthy AND enjoy their product.

Visit our website to learn more about Pure Food all natural protein powder.

nutrition

The Benefits of Plant-Based Protein Powders

Posted on by Scott Christ
Protein Powders Plant Based

If you’re looking to supercharge your workouts and build muscle, then you should consider upping your protein intake with plant based protein powders. Plant-based options today are becoming more and more popular for helping people achieve their nutritional goals. But what exactly are the types of plant protein powders available? And what are the specific benefits that come with choosing plant-based protein powder? Read on to learn more about these powders and why protein powders from Pure Food Company might be the right choice for you.

Types of Plant Protein Powders

Plant protein powders are the perfect way to supplement your diet and help reach your desired daily intake of protein. With so many varieties of plant protein powders out there, it can be hard to know which is best for you.

There are several different high-quality types of plant protein:

  • Pea protein powder is high in iron and arginine, making it a great choice for those looking to increase muscle mass.
  • Hemp protein powder is loaded with essential fatty acids and fiber, perfect for vegans and vegetarians.
  • Brown rice protein powder is an excellent source of vegan protein and is ideal for people with allergies or sensitive digestive systems.
  • Sacha Inchi protein is vegan-friendly and contains essential minerals and vitamins that many athletes need for optimal performance.
  • Amaranth protein is best suited for athletes looking to increase their energy levels and endurance
  • Quinoa protein offers a complete source of protein and provides the body with essential fatty acids
  • Pumpkin seeds have an impressive nutrient profile that benefits many aspects of your health and can be a rich source of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

No matter what type of plant protein powder you choose, make sure to read the ingredients list to ensure it suits your dietary needs

The Benefits of Plant-Based Protein Powders

There are plenty of benefits to enjoying protein powders, plant-based ones in particular. Here are the top four major benefits that come with choosing plant-based powders over the others, and what that means for your health and your lifestyle.

1.  A great source of nutrients. For example, pea protein is just as effective as red meat for getting iron, so you don’t need to rely on animal protein to get it.

2.  Plant-based proteins have naturally-occurring dietary fiber: unlike many animal-sourced proteins, plant-based proteins tend to be higher in fiber, which is a key nutrient for digestion and overall health and helps you feel fuller for much longer.

3.  Same protein with less calories: overall, plant-based proteins have fewer calories than, and the same amount of protein as, animal-based protein sources, which gives you greater control over your caloric intake.

4.  Less bloating: many protein powders (whey and casein) contain lactose, a milk-based protein which leads to bloating and a gassy feeling for the 2/3 of people who are lactose intolerant. Plant-based proteins avoid this so that you can feel healthier and get the protein you need.

Protein Powders that Meet Your Body’s Needs

Besides the distinct advantages of plant-based protein powders, they also have another important advantage: they are friendlier to more dietary needs and sensitive bodies. As many people discover that some foods don’t sit well with them, more are on the hunt for products that help them feel great while meeting their nutritional needs.

This is one of the reasons why many people turn to plant-based protein powders. Plant-based powders that use all-natural ingredients are easier to digest and easier on our bodies in general, meaning that you can enjoy them without worrying about symptoms that could impact your lifestyle.

Want Effective Protein Powders? Plant-based is the Way to Go

If you’re looking to boost your protein intake with protein powders, plant-based options from Pure Food Company can help you get the nutrition you need to feel healthier and supercharge your workouts.

Our protein powders are made with all-natural ingredients, and our plant-based recipes are designed to fit most dietary needs. No matter your goals—weight loss, muscle gain, better gut health, more energy—our protein powders can help. Be sure to browse our selection to find the products that suit your goals and your tastes.

Probiotics

What are the Uses and Benefits of Probiotics?

Posted on by Scott Christ
best probiotic for bloating gas and constipation

Probiotics are everywhere these days. You’ve probably seen them in the supplement aisle at the grocery store or on TV commercials talking about the best probiotic for bloating gas and constipation (among other maladies). Some food and drinks have probiotics added now for gut support. Perhaps your doctor has even recommended adding some to your daily regimen. Probiotics are more widely talked about and accessible than ever. So, let’s look at some of the uses and benefits of probiotics and why you should consider adding them to your daily health regimen.

Why Use Probiotics?

Everyone has bacteria in their body. This isn’t always a bad thing though. Because we all have “good” and “bad” bacteria. Our good bacteria help fight the bad bacteria and keep the balance. But sometimes our body needs help. We don’t always get all the vitamins and nutrients we need from the food we eat. That’s why we take vitamins and supplements.

The same goes for probiotics. Probiotics are used to help reduce stomach issues like gas and bloating and restore balance in the gut. When your gut is out of balance, it leads to a condition called dysbiosis, which causes all types of other GI issues. If you find you are often bloated and uncomfortable or suffering from constipation, you may want to investigate the best probiotic for bloating gas and constipation. And, probiotics may help give your immune system a boost too.

Also keep in mind that a poor diet that includes too much sugar and refined grains will throw off the balance of bacteria in your stomach. Using antibiotics is another example of how your stomach’s bacteria can be thrown off by killing too many healthy bacteria. Probiotics will help you restore the balance by adding good bacteria back in.

What are the Benefits of Using Probiotics?

There are many benefits to using probiotics. They can help improve your gut health, which will make you feel better overall. They may help reduce irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms for some people, painful bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Also, don’t forget about the benefits to your immune health, as previously mentioned. Those are just a few of the benefits of using probiotics. Some probiotics may even help reduce allergy symptoms!

Choosing the best probiotic for bloating gas and constipation will limit the number of harmful bacteria in your stomach and reduce the chances of that bad bacteria growing into something more severe. Taking probiotics can also help limit the chance of you acquiring secondary problems when you’re on antibiotics.

The best probiotic for bloating gas and constipation could help you improve your health

Whether you’ve been recommended probiotics by a doctor or are exploring the world of friendly gut microbes on your own, finding the right probiotic can be overwhelming. There are tons of different types, and they all seem to offer different benefits. We’ve made it simple by offering you the best probiotic for bloating gas and constipation you will find. It’s an all-in-one capsule that will help you reduce gas and bloating, digest ALL foods better, and improve your BMs.

Click here to find out more.

nutrition

Vegan Protein Powder – Five Secrets You Need to Know

Posted on by Scott Christ
Best Vegan Protein Powders

Are you considering adding a vegan protein powder to your diet, or are you curious about why so many people are making the switch? Finding the best vegan protein powders can provide you with a host of benefits, so let’s take a dive into the top five secrets you need to know before investing in plant-based protein.

They Contain Lots of Fiber

Unlike animal-based proteins, vegan protein powders actually contain a lot of fiber. Fiber is essential for digestion, but most people don’t get nearly enough. Investing in the best vegan protein powders can be a good way to boost GI health, particularly if you suffer from problems related to digestion. Whey proteins can result in bloating, gas, and other discomforts, but the right plant-based solution can often optimize your gut health when whey doesn’t agree with you.

It’s Easy to Find Natural, Sustainable Brands

It’s not hard to find plant-based protein companies that have a mission for natural, sustainable products. But the best vegan protein powders won’t contain any of the additives, chemicals, sugars, fillers, gums, and other unhealthy products that are commonly found in animal-based proteins and even many plant-based brands as well. You should also keep an eye out for companies that encourage sustainability and give back to their communities.

They’re Super Nutritious

The best vegan protein powders will also give you a lot more than protein. Since plant-based protein powders are made from plants, you get a variety of other nutrients, too. Depending on the protein powder you pick, you could end up with an amazing blend of minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and probiotics. Just like using superfoods makes for a great salad, using super-powders makes for a nutritious, satisfying morning smoothie.

Safer Than Whey

You should also be aware that plant-based proteins may be safer than whey-based proteins, particularly for those who have trouble digesting dairy. While animal products and their proteins have long been associated with health risks such as heart conditions, fatigue, and digestive issues, vegan protein powders can enhance your health, energy, and mental clarity. One little-known fact is that plenty of athletes use plant-based proteins and lifestyles to promote better athletic performance and reduce inflammation.

Not All Plant Proteins Are Built Alike —The Best Vegan Protein Powders Are Better for a Reason

Don’t be fooled into thinking all plant-based proteins are alike. Many people that haven’t used protein powders before fall into the trap of incomplete protein powders, which won’t provide you with the same benefits as complete proteins. The best vegan protein powders mix a variety of plant-based ingredients and nutrients to give you the full spectrum of proteins you need for proper nourishment.

And they don’t contain added sugar, “flavors”, gums, or other junk … just real foods. If your plant protein tastes like a sugary milkshake, then it’s probably not healthy!

Overall, there are a few things you should keep in mind when it comes to finding the best vegan protein powders. From fiber to types of proteins, the right plant-based protein can transform your health and invigorate your daily routine. It’s no wonder so many people are taking advantage of the mental and physical benefits vegan proteins can offer. Visit our website for more information.

Probiotics

Probiotics: Learn What They Can Do for You

Posted on by Scott Christ
best probiotic for bloating gas and constipation

When people think of the term “bacteria,” it’s usually in a negative light. While we’re generally taught that sterile things are good and bacteria is bad, this is often not the case.

That’s because your body is home to millions of good bacteria that work together to keep you healthy. These microorganisms are called “probiotics” and they help balance your gastrointestinal and immune systems in many different ways.

Balancing Your System

Probiotics work to restore the balance of your gut bacteria. But what causes that imbalance? Why are there more bad bacteria than good? A number of culprits can be the cause of these imbalances, but it’s often the result of illness or poor diet.

Antibiotics can also kill too many good bacteria by mistake and lead to an imbalance, as can certain medications. For this reason, it’s definitely a good idea to talk to your doctor about what the best probiotic for bloating gas and constipation (or other digestive issue) might be for you.

Strengthening Immune Systems and Prevention

Taking probiotics has been shown to strengthen your immune system and to aid in maintaining a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in your body. It helps to think about it this way: your gut contains a lot of bacteria. This collection is called the microbiota. The microbiota consists of both helpful and harmful organisms. When you take probiotics, you introduce more helpful bacteria into the mix, and this gives your immune system an advantage.

Digestive Disorder Treatment

Now let’s talk about probiotics and digestive disorders. There have been several strains of probiotics that have shown positive results in treating ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases. While there is, so far, limited proven efficacy in treatment of Chrohn’s disease, there has been success in the use of probiotics in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It’s important to understand that the best probiotics for bloating, gas, and constipation reduction contain multiple strains. So single strains probiotic supplements are not going to be as effective for relieving these types of symptoms.

Weight Loss and Mental Health

In addition to multi-strain probiotics being best for bloating, gas, and constipation, these types of probiotic supplements have also been shown to help in other areas of your body. Some exciting research is emerging in the field of probiotics and mental health. Although the study of psychobiotics is still developing, there have been some positive outcomes thus far.

Also, probiotics can help prevent the absorption of dietary fat in the intestines, causing the body to expel that fat instead of storing it. One study found that “Probiotic supplementation appears to change gut microbiota by decrease gut permeability, inflammation, and metabolic disorders, creating a promising environment to weight loss.”

Still Discovering

While research in the use of probiotics is still in early phases, when it comes to discovering the full benefits of these bacteria, the future seems bright.

So far, probiotics appear to be safe for most people with few reported side effects, but you should still talk to your doctor about the best probiotic for bloating, gas, or constipation if you’re suffering from those symptoms.

They’ll be able to give you the best advice for how to use probiotics to improve and maintain your body’s health. And we’re still learning more every day! Visit our website for more details.

Digestive Enzymes

Best Probiotic Multi Enzyme Digestive Health Supplements

Posted on by Scott Christ
best probiotic multi enzymes digestive pill

Here’s the truth about the majority of reviews for all-in-one probiotic plus multi digestive enzyme supplements you read online: most of them are incentivized.

In other words, the review websites get paid a commission to promote these products to you.

This brings plenty of bias into the mix and often you see the product with the highest commissions listed as the so-called best probiotic and enzyme supplements, rather than the one that is actually most beneficial to your health.

Even Amazon’s review criteria now gives higher ratings to big, established brands … so all the mega-corporations now get higher review ratings than smaller, less-known products just because they’ve been around longer.

But if you’re reading this, you probably already know that when it comes to supplements companies, bigger usually does not mean better!

Now, we also sell a digestive enzyme / probiotic supplement.

That’s why in this article, we will review some of the best digestive wellness supplements using objective criteria.

The goal is to help you objectively compare and review the top brands that our products compete with.

So we’ll look at the things that are important to most of you: i. cost, ii. servings, iii. ingredients, and iv. the top positive and negative customer reviews for each probiotic multi enzyme supplement.

We’ll wrap things up with some little-known tricks many of these supplement companies use to deceive you (and how to spot them) and share our criteria for finding the best capsule for you.

Here’s a complete list of topics we’ll cover in this article (click the links to skip around):

  • How to Find the Best Digestive Supplement for You

Who Should Take Digestive Enzymes + Probiotics?

Always check with your doctor first if you have an existing condition that affects your stomach or small intestine and get your enzyme levels tested. If you have the following symptoms, it’s possible that digestive enzymes plus probiotics could help.

  • Indigestion, gas, bloating, abdominal pain and discomfort
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Low stomach acid
  • Chronic pancreatitis

When to Take Digestive Enzymes?

Most digestive enzyme and probiotic supplements should be taken with or immediately before a meal. Taking them on an empty stomach can often cause unwanted gas and bloating (the exact thing many folks are trying to get rid of).

If you take one capsule per day, take it with your largest meal. If you take two, take it with your two largest meals.

Benefits of Taking an Enzyme / Probiotic Supplement

Let’s take a look at some of the research that has been done on digestive enzymes + probiotics supplements.

First, digestive enzymes …

  • 2011 study:  When people with IBS took a combination of digestive enzymes and soluble fibers, they noticed a significant reduction in stomach discomfort, gas, and bloating.
  • 2011 study: Digestive enzyme supplementation significantly improved bloating, flatulence and abdominal pain, with a slight increasing of urgency for bowel movements.
  • 2014 study: Digestive enzyme supplements may offer a valuable alternative to gastroprokinetic drugs to relieve various common gastrointestinal complaints.
  • 2016 study: Enzyme supplementation therapy may play an important role in several digestive and malabsorption disorders, including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and lactose intolerance.
  • 2018 study: Enzyme supplementation led to statistically significant differences in all efficacy parameters compared with placebo for people with dyspepsia (which includes symptoms such as bloating, early satiety, postprandial fullness, nausea, anorexia and heartburn, regurgitation, and burping
  • 2019 research review: A number of double-blinded placebo-controlled studies report a beneficial effect of oral enzyme therapy for patients with dyspepsia and IBS symptoms.
  • Animal studies have found that a probiotic plus digestive enzyme supplement may help lower harmful LDL and increase HDL.

Probiotics are more widely studied than digestive enzymes. See our article Do Probiotics Work? to read more.

Side Effects and Interactions

When you first start taking enzymes and/or probiotics, it’s common to experience an increase in gas and bloating.

If you experience any nausea or diarrhea that lasts for more than a day or two, it’s probably best to stop.

Allergic reactions can also be an issue for some people, such as itching, rash, stomach pain, and difficulty swallowing. If this happens, stop taking the supplements and seek medical attention

Digestive enzyme and probiotics supplements can interfere with certain medications, such as diabetes medications and blood thinners.

If you take any medications, share the list of ingredients of the product you’re considering with your doctor to ensure there are no interactions you need to worry about.

Compare 10 of the Top All-in-one Multi Enzyme Probiotic Brands

Here’s a look at cost, ingredients, servings, and the top positive and negative reviews for 10 of the best rated probiotics plus digestive enzymes brands.

Zenwise Health Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotics

Cost:

$17.97 for 60 Capsules

Ingredients / Servings: 

Zenwise Health Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotics review

Top Positive Review:

Joseph G. Kim
5.0 out of 5 stars Miracle pills changed my life

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2017

Disclaimer: I haven’t seen a gastroenterologist about any of my issues, so this is all personal anecdote/observation and self-diagnosis. I am not a medical professional.

These pills have changed my life. Allow me to describe my situation before the pills:

BEFORE: I had constant/chronic/consistent diarrhea, especially immediately after eating (practically anything), so life was hell. Any meal/snack was almost immediately followed by loose stools and messy bowel movements (and gas). This made scheduling life very difficult and full of interruptions and delays. Random trips to the bathroom everywhere suck, especially when you are out with friends/people and participating in time-sensitive activities, like movies, concerts, ceremonies, social events, etc.

My symptoms resembled IBS-D (irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea), although never officially diagnosed, and/or leaky gut syndrome, and/or SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). To be honest, I feel like the current state of digestive disorder diagnosis is not well understood/developed and rather weak and even gut doctors can’t consistently and definitively pinpoint exactly what’s wrong with these kinds of cases with reliable accuracy (in my observations). Many articles and accounts of others with IBS-like symptoms generally have ambiguous or unknown causes and limited understanding of what exactly is wrong, and the treatment options are limited and ineffective, like simply avoiding trigger foods, which is not really a cure.

My trigger foods were greasy/fatty foods and any milk dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cheeses, whey, lactose, etc., and as milk products are practically everywhere in Western foods in various forms, this made filtering what I eat and grocery shopping a nightmare. Even things like Pringles or chips have hidden milk products in them (Lactose, whey), and obviously classic American past times like pizza (cheese), pies (cream, butter), cheesecake (cheese, cream), coffee drinks e.g. cappuccino, mocha, latte, etc. (milk), milkshakes (milk), ice cream (milk, cream), cheese snacks (cheese, whey), etc. had to be completely eliminated from my life. FML; indeed, the future outlook of the rest of my life with respect to dietary pleasure & nutrition was looking rather grim, since milk products to provide important calcium & protein nutrients.

My issues started about 3-4 years ago and have been gradually worsening since.

Now, this pill is about as close to a cure as I could have hoped for!

AFTER: Taking a pill before eating any significant meal/snack, I can essentially eat/drink whatever I want now, without any of the symptoms described above. My bowel movements have become very regular, predictable, and controllable i.e. no longer have urgency. My stool is solid and of healthy shape/color, and I almost never have to worry anymore about what I eat or the consequences thereafter.

I can enjoy all the trigger foods I couldn’t before, including greasy/fatty foods and milk dairy products, without having to worry about the aftermath anymore.

Truly, a miraculous life savior in the form of pill.

Again, as I am not a medical professional nor have seen a gastroenterologist about my issues before, I don’t know exactly what it is either in my gut or in these pills that result in such magical, miraculous recovery, but my guess is some combination of the digestive enzymes + probiotics in the pills are greatly helping to regulate the mess that is my gut. Why my gut was such a mess before (or is without these pills) I have no clue. I have many guesses like severe lactose intolerance, IBS-D, leaky gut, SIBO, gluten intolerance, etc. — just about everything under the sun as the symptoms of many of these digestive conditions overlap and are similar. I think that’s why it’s even difficult for the current medical practice to work with these conditions, as even IBS (as I understand) is less an explicit diagnosis on the presence of particular symptoms/markers than it is kind of the give-up answer after eliminating other potential causes.

I’ve tried several other products before these pills and have had little success. My initial guess for my issues was predominantly lactose intolerance, so I’ve tried lactase enzyme pills and Lactobacillus Acidophilus probiotics that are supposed to help digest lactose. Although they did help a little bit, they never truly eliminated all my symptoms, whereas these pills have (so far in about 2 months time since I started taking them). So, lactose intolerance wasn’t the only problem (if even a problem); clearly, I had issues with other substances in foods.

Since day 1, even pill 1, I IMMEDIATELY noticed a beneficial effect, so these pills definitely have potency, are robust, and immediately effective.

Hopefully within my lifetime, medical advances can cure me more permanently such that I don’t need these pills, but until then, I will gladly take these pills before every meal and basically become dependent on them for life. Zenwise Health, please continue to make these pills for the next 100 years okay? Thanks!

Value-wise, it’s a great deal. $25 for 180 pill bottle, so if you eat 3 meals a day, the bottle lasts you 60 days or 2 months; if you eat 2 meals a day, that’s 3 months. ~$25 per 2-3 months is totally reasonable.

Even if you don’t have major digestive issues like me, I still think the digestive enzymes/probiotics contained in these pills can do wonders for your digestion & gut. The concept behind them is to achieve/maintain supreme gut health and regularity. I do believe the unique combination of enzymes and probiotics in these pills accomplish that.

Current medical/scientific understanding of the complex interactions/relationships between our gut, brain, body, and the millions of bacteria/microorganisms in our guts is limited, so it’s still unclear exactly why certain substances/probiotics work for some people and do little for others (while others don’t need any external assistance at all), but it’s certainly worth a shot if you’re suffering!

It’s a minor inconvenience to have to carry around the pills everywhere I go, but for what they give me: the ability to digest any/all foods effectively, regulate my bowel movements, enable proper nutrient absorption, and allow me to enjoy all my favorite cheesy dairy products again, it is SO WORTH IT.

Okay, I rambled way too long here — just goes to show how much these pills have changed my life. Zenwise Health, again, you guys are amazing for developing this miracle formula. Please continue to make these for decades to come — I gladly support you.

Top Negative Review:

Reta
1.0 out of 5 stars Changed formula gave horrible symptoms

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2020

I purchased the product on the right last month after a long battle with bloating/irregularity/digestive issues. The product worked so well. I no longer felt bloated or constipated after EVERYTHING I ate, and (unlike a Super Enzyme product I’d tried at the suggestion of a health professional earlier) it did NOT make me feel gassy/bloated.

I was so impressed with the product, I recommended it to a friend of mine who has similar/ongoing issues. I even set up and subscribe and save for myself.

That is, until I received my 2nd bottle of this product (pictured left). I only had a few pills left of my first bottle and dumped them into my 2nd bottle, which allowed me to see the color difference. I didn’t think anything of it, at first, as sometimes different batches of stuff like this can have different hues. That was until day three of taking the new batch and feeling the SAME uncomfortable, and embarrassing side effects (bloating and painful gas) that I’d felt from a different product.

I dug the bottle out of the trash to find out I’d been sent, without my knowledge or consent, a different formula. The formula is also different from what is shown to be sold.

I’m mainly frustrated by this as, if you can imagine, I had been SO happy to have found a product that worked so well for me, only to have it change and now work so horrifically.

I have canceled my subscribe and save and will be seeking a full refund for this 2nd bottle.

Wholesome Wellness Digestive Enzymes Plus Prebiotics and Probiotics

Cost:

$25 for 180 Capsules (90 servings)

Ingredients / Servings: 

wholesome wellness probiotics plus enzymes

Top Positive Review:

Sam G Schultz
5.0 out of 5 stars This new product is taking the supplement world by storm…and rightfully so.

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2021

I was about to go look for a replacement for the supplement I ordered for my gut problem because it did not work on me. I finished the contents of the whole bottle and yet, I still suffer from IBS and abdominal cramps. Having learned through experience that supplements are a little more like trial and error, I was caught on the wrong side of the equation. Hence, it’s back to square one for me. As I was frantically looking for a replacement to attend to my symptoms, I happened to chance upon this page about digestive enzymes. Seeing the similarity with my previous supplement, I took interest on this and placed an order. Who knows, maybe this time, I’d be finally on the right side.

I made the following observations about the product:

a. Logistics was great as it arrived way ahead of committed time.
b. Packing and handling were superb as it was neatly packed, sealed and delivered in very good condition.
c. The capsule/pill was of the right size and easy to swallow.
d. There was no aftertaste discernible.
e. And it worked super-fast!!

This being another trial and error part, I expected very little of it. To my surprise, it hadn’t taken 3 days and all my problematic symptoms were gone!! No more IBS, no more cramps and my bowel movement has gone back to normal. Finally, a supplement that I can boastfully say is the perfect one for me!! No more trial and error!! From here on, it’s smooth sailing for me and my gut.

Top Negative Review:

Kevin Crenshaw
1.0 out of 5 stars NOT a substantial enzyme source

Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2021

218 people found this helpful

Vitamistic Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotics & Prebiotics

Cost:

$16.97 for 120 Capsules (60 servings)

Ingredients / Servings: 

Vitamistic Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotics & Prebiotics

Top Positive Review:

Benji
5.0 out of 5 stars smooth, small, easy to swallow, works quickly

Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2019

61 people found this helpful

Top Negative Review:

Cassandra DeRose
3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2021
I have used other digestive enzymes and these unfortunately disappoint. The other brands I used worked for the most part, but still gave me side effects. I was hoping for a product that was better. However, these are worse and I feel NO difference whatsoever. My bowels have not improved, and my stomach feels no better. Hopefully it will work for you! I am sad, I was really looking forward to this product after all of the great reviews.

Purely Optimal Digestive Enzymes Plus Prebiotics & Probiotics

Cost:

$24 for 180 Capsules (90 servings)

Ingredients / Servings: 

Purely Optimal Digestive Enzymes Plus Prebiotics plus Probiotics

Top Positive Review:

Vinh W. Thai
5.0 out of 5 stars Please don’t change the formula . If it works, stay with it

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2020

53 people found this helpful

Top Negative Review:

Muhammad
1.0 out of 5 stars IF YOUR A BODYBUILDER DON’T GET IT

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2020

By far is the worst digestive enzyme I ever took, it made me super full and bloated which is completely the opposite of what digestive enzymes should do and as a bodybuilder eating a lot of protein digestive enzyme play a big role to the diet , also 2 make us eat more.
I took one dose when the bottle arrive on my lunch and until dinner I couldn’t eat anything i was so bloated so full I barely can even drink water I forced my dinner and missed my daily regular meals.
I took my second dose it actually made it worse , now I’m going to return it for a full refund and go back to “Now” probiotic or Digestive enzyme.. maybe people giving a good review cuz you can get a bonus bottle like what it says on this paper that come with it I’m not quite sure I didn’t even bother to go to that website and check it out, or they want to have something to block their appetite but it’s completely the opposite of what digestive enzymes should do to you the feelings and everything…

Enzymedica Digest Gold + PROBIOTICS

Cost:

$44.24 for 90 Capsules (90 servings)

Ingredients / Servings: 

Enzymedica Digest Gold PROBIOTICS

Top Positive Review:

D Carbajal
5.0 out of 5 stars Best stuff on earth

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2018

Top Negative Review:

Nick Evanish
2.0 out of 5 stars No luck for me.

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2016

Vitalitown Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotics

Cost:

$9.99 for 60 Capsules (30 servings)

Ingredients / Servings: 

Vitalitown Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotics review

Top Positive Review:

dkelley
5.0 out of 5 stars I’ve purchased this product 3 times already. Works well!

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2021

 

Top Negative Review:

Denise
2.0 out of 5 stars May not be for everyone.
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2021
Gave me terrible stomach pain might have been too much for my stomach.

Divine Bounty Digestive Enzymes with Probiotics & Prebiotics

Cost:

$16.95 for 90 Capsules (90 servings)

Ingredients / Servings: 

divine bounty capsules

Top Positive Review:

Jaws
5.0 out of 5 stars This made a difference

Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2018

Top Negative Review:

Jane K
1.0 out of 5 stars A very TMI review, read at your own risk.

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019

I bought this product based on research in addition to all of the 5-star reviews this product received. I have a lot of IBS-like symptoms in addition to bloating. I’m seriously in the bathroom all morning sometimes because my body’s digestive system is just shot. So, when I saw recommendations on this product I thought I’d give it a try. Especially after many people claimed that their stool was a lot firmer and less frequent/normalized after taking this enzyme.

Well, I’ve been taking it for a few weeks now and all I can say is it did not help me, and honestly? I felt worse taking this. It did not firm up my stool whatsoever, in fact, I found it to be looser than before and much more frequent than when I wasn’t taking anything for it. I tried to wait it out, but I’ve decided I just cannot take this enzyme anymore. The frequent bathroom trips and constant bloating I received from this enzyme was not worth it. I was more miserable taking it, so much that I am better off not taking anything.

This may work for others, but it did not work for me. This is just my personal experience with it.

Life Extension Enhanced Super Digestive Enzymes with Probiotics

Cost:

$39.90 for 120 Capsules (120 servings)

Ingredients / Servings: 

Life Extension Enhanced Super Digestive Enzymes with Probiotics

Top Positive Review:

Harley
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2017

Top Negative Review:

Amazon Customer
2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2018

Nutra Champs Digestive Enzymes with Prebiotics & Probiotics

Cost:

$23.95 for 180 Capsules (180 servings)

Ingredients / Servings: 

Nutra Champs Digestive Enzyme

Top Positive Review:

SmtShopper
5.0 out of 5 stars Worked for Me!

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2018

Top Negative Review:

Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Do not order this product if, you think it will help with gut bloating.
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2018
I used this product for two weeks gave me severe stomach aches, constipation and could not burp or pass gas. I will never order this again, I thought I was having a heart attack, so painful. I wish, I could get my money back.

Pure Food DIGEST (All-in-one Probiotics + Multi Enzymes + Prebiotics + Soothing Herbs)

Cost:

1 Bottle: $17.59 for 30 Capsules (30 servings) with Subscribe & Save

2 Bottles: $29.99 for 60 Capsules (60 servings) with Subscribe & Save

3 Bottles: $39.59 for 90 Capsules (90 servings) with Subscribe & Save

Ingredients / Servings: 

pure food all-in-one digestive supplement ingredients

Top Positive Review:

Benji
Deborah A. ZahnSimmons
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT Product for Next Step on Health Journey!

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2021

My mother and I have been using this product for the past several months and Pure Food Protein Powder product for years. What drew me to THIS company is their transparency, dedication to clean ingredients, and lack of fillers and sweeteners (keeping it SIMPLE and whole). I have been thoroughly impressed with their customer service and amazing response time to ALL my inquiries. Scott himself takes the time to individually respond with sincerity, I’ve never had that experience with a company before. He makes me feel like I matter as a customer.
As we have been using Digest, my mother and I have both been very satisfied with our results and “regularity”. Although it might be TMI, there is so much that your excrements can indicate about your overall health and Digest has continued to improve these areas as our guts adjusted to the new flora. I have also physically noticed less bloating in my lower abdomen, which what woman wouldn’t want that.
Overall I highly recommend this product and other Pure Food products to my family and friends regularly.
PS the Pure Food blog also has some amazing resources and interesting article for anyone who is on a health journey.

Top Negative Review:

Brooklynns Nanny
2.0 out of 5 stars No change in gastroparisis but did give me a headache.
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2021
Gives me a migraine everytime I take it. Tried for a week and no improvement.

Wrap Up: How to Find the Best Digestive Health Supplement for You

When looking at all-in-one digestive health supplements that contain probiotics, enzymes, and prebiotics, these are the criteria we recommend paying attention to:

  1. Amount of Enzymes / Probiotics / Other Ingredients: the more strains of probiotics, the more potential microbiome diversity and benefits. But more CFUs does not always mean better though! Some people’s guts are overly sensitive to certain strains and hundreds of billions of CFUs are definitely not needed. If you’re new to probiotics and enzymes, we recommend looking for a product with 1-10 billion CFUs per serving. As far as enzymes go, look for something that has at least 100 mg of a combination of carbohydrate-, fat-, and protein-digesting enzymes. Prebiotic fiber and GI-friendly herbs are also a bonus.
  2. Cost: Expect to pay around $.25 – $1.00/capsule for the best multi enzyme plus probiotic supplements. In most cases, you get what you pay for and cheaper formulas tend to contain smaller amount of enzymes and sit on shelves longer, which can render much of the probiotic bacteria ineffective.
  3. Ingredient Sources: It’s important to understand where the ingredients in your digestive health capsule is coming from. Most of these manufacturers source their ingredients from China, where quality standards are often lower. Products that source all ingredients from the U.S. are going to cost a little more but are worth the extra cost because you know what you’re getting is safe and effective. If they don’t tell you where their ingredients come from, it’s probably a good bet it’s from the cheapest source possible overseas, especially with larger brands. W
  4. Manufacturing: All reputable probiotic plus enzyme formulas are produced in cGMP facilities, which means there are strict quality control and testing measures in place to ensure your safety and product efficacy.
  5. Doctor-developed: You want to make sure a safe, efficacious amount of each ingredient is in the product. That’s why we only recommend trusting digestive health formulas that are developed by GI health experts.
  6. Reviews: Read the reviews carefully. Oftentimes you’ll see many manufacturers with positive reviews that are several years old but when you look at recent reviews, customers are not happy about a formula change (this happens frequently when small companies get acquired by big ones).

compare all in one digestive multi enzyme probiotic supplements

Try Pure Food DIGEST (Probiotics Plus Multi Enzymes) for 25% Off

nutrition

Are Plant-Based Protein Powders Better for Your Health?

Posted on by Scott Christ
protein powders plant based

Are you debating which protein powder to incorporate into your routine? Getting your protein powders from plant based sources instead of whey based can bring a lot of advantages to your health. From nutritional benefits to muscle-building to gut health, let’s take a look at what plant-based protein powders have to offer compared to their animal-based counterparts!

Nutritional Benefits

When you get your protein powders plant based, you’ll get a much greater nutritional diversity than whey-based protein powders offer. This is because plants have a much richer nutrient profile, which your body needs to function well. One of the most important nutrients you find more of in plant proteins is fiber (more on this below).

Where whey does have the edge is in its complete amino acid profile, but this can be addressed with plant based proteins by combining several different sources together..

Most people in America aren’t getting the amount of daily nutrients their bodies need, so a quick addition to your routine with plant-based protein powders is the convenient and smart way to ensure you’re better nourished.

Fiber & Digestion

Another benefit to getting your protein powders plant based is that they are generally much higher in belly-filling fiber than whey-based proteins. Fiber is excellent for your digestion, and this can be essential for those that struggle with digestive issues. Incorporating some plant-based protein powders into your routine can help your digestive system to run more smoothly and keep you more regular.

Improve Blood Flow

A lot of people invest in protein powders because they want to improve their athletic performance. This is why some of the top athletes get their protein powders plant based: because plant proteins help to improve your blood flow, which increases healing time after exercise.

Avoid Health Risks

According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, “The adverse effects associated with long-term high protein/high meat intake in humans were (a) disorders of bone and calcium homeostasis, (b) disorders of renal function, (c) increased cancer risk, (d) disorders of liver function, and (e) precipitated progression of coronary artery disease.” – source: NCBI).

Getting your protein powders plant based can help you reduce your intake of animal protein.

Lactose Free

Up to 65 percent of people in the U.S are lactose-intolerant, which can mean major gut issues when consuming whey and other dairy-based proteins. That’s why, if you’re lactose-intolerant, it’s good news to know that you can get your protein powders plant based.

Don’t settle for proteins that will make you sick or avoid proteins altogether—get the protein you want without the negative effects on your body.

Overall, plant-based protein is a better choice than whey protein for many people, especially those with GI issues. If you get your protein powders plant based, especially from high quality plant protein sources like Pure Food, you can count on certain benefits, such as higher nutritional density, improved digestion, natural ingredients, better blood flow, avoiding health risks, and a lack of inflammation-promoting lactose. Click here for more details.