by Melissa Chichester
Our digestive systems are closely linked to our overall well-being, and occasional stress can throw that delicate balance off track.
Here’s what can happen when we don’t keep stress in check–and what you can do to help.
When stress activates the body’s “fight or flight” mode, it prioritizes energy for essential survival functions and diverts it away from digestion. This can slow digestive processes and lead to common feelings of discomfort like bloating, irregular bowel movements, or an upset stomach.
During periods of occasional stress, the gut may become more sensitive, even without significant dietary changes.
Stress can influence behavior patterns, particularly around food choices. Some people may turn to emotional eating, choosing high-sugar, high-fat comfort foods. Others might skip meals altogether, depriving the body of essential nutrients.
Stress can either speed up or slow down gut motility, referring to the natural contractions and relaxations of the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract that move food through the body.
Stress can disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. This imbalance may affect digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health.
While gut health is important at all ages, older adults may struggle more when stress impacts the gut. As the body changes with age, the balance of gut bacteria can shift, which may affect digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall comfort.
The first way to support the gut is to make lifestyle and nutritional adjustments, such as taking steps to reduce stress.
Supportive supplements such as probiotics may also help. These are the beneficial bacteria that help support the body’s digestive system.* They work to maintain a balanced gut, which plays a role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall wellness.*
>>3 Surprising Benefits of Taking Probiotics
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization both define probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host” (1).
By introducing friendly bacteria to the gut, probiotics can help:
Keeping your gut balanced is helpful during times of occasional stress.
You can also consume probiotics in food by eating kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, and kombucha. These foods all contain probiotics. Today, many yogurt products also contain probiotics.
>>Explore probiotics at Puritan’s Pride
One supplement that may help is Probiotic 10 from Puritan’s Pride, which is designed to support digestive balance.*
Each easy-to-swallow, one-capsule-per-day serving delivers:
Probiotic 10 is a convenient choice for supporting your digestive health daily.*
Tip: Heat, light, moisture levels, and air exposure can make probiotics weaken so they aren’t active anymore. Store your probiotic supplement in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain its potency. Always ask your healthcare practitioner before starting a new supplement.
Sources:
| *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
