Digestive Health Guide

Your digestive system breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and removes waste. Learn what supports a healthy gut and how to choose digestive products for your needs.¹,⁵

✅ Reviewed by Jamieson's Science Team

Quick Answers

What does your digestive system do?

It breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and moves waste through your body.

What are probiotics?

They’re live microorganisms that can support healthy gut flora and digestive health.¹

How are probiotics and prebiotics different?

Probiotics add beneficial microorganisms, while prebiotics feed beneficial bacteria in your gut.¹,²

Which everyday habits support digestion?

Eating enough fibre, drinking fluids, moving regularly, and eating slowly can all help.⁵,⁶

What is digestive health?

Digestive health includes how your body breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and moves waste through the gastrointestinal tract. 

Your gut also contains a community of microorganisms known as gut flora or the gut microbiome. Probiotics and prebiotics can support this digestive environment in different ways.¹,² 

What affects digestive health?

Your digestion can be affected by what and how you eat, fibre and fluid intake, physical activity, stress, medications, age, and health conditions. 

Occasional changes can happen, but persistent bloating, pain, diarrhea, constipation, or changes in bowel habits should be discussed with a healthcare practitioner. 

Key Ingredients for Digestive Health

Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can support intestinal health and help maintain healthy gut flora.¹

Prebiotics

Prebiotics feed beneficial bacteria already living in your gut. Some formulas combine them with probiotics.²

Ginger

Ginger is traditionally used to relieve digestive upset, including nausea, indigestion, and digestive discomfort.³

What everyday habits support digestive health?

  • Eat more fibre: Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds.⁵,⁶ 
  • Increase fibre gradually: Adding too much too quickly may cause gas or discomfort.⁶ 
  • Drink enough fluids: Fluids help keep bowel movements soft as fibre intake increases.⁶ 
  • Keep moving: Regular physical activity can support healthy bowel habits. 
  • Notice your patterns: Pay attention to foods, routines, or situations that affect your digestion. 
  • Seek advice when needed: Discuss persistent or worsening digestive changes with a healthcare practitioner. 

What to look for in digestive support

Start with the type of digestive support you need, then compare products designed for that goal.

  • Everyday gut health: Choose a probiotic with strains and approved uses that match your goal. 
  • Gut flora support: Consider a formula combining probiotics with prebiotic fibre. 
  • Digestive discomfort: Ginger may help with nausea, indigestion, or an unsettled stomach.³ 
  • Mealtime support: Digestive enzymes can help break down different components of food. 
  • Regularity: Start with fibre, fluids, and movement before choosing targeted support.⁶ 
  • Compare probiotics: Review the strains and CFU count; more isn’t always better.¹ 
  • Choose the right fit: Consider your age, preferred format, storage needs, and product directions. 

For more than 100 years, Jamieson has combined scientific expertise with rigorous quality testing. Every product is backed by the Jamieson 360 Quality Promise. 

*It is important to consult your trusted healthcare practitioner before adding any new natural health supplement to your routine.  

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FAQs
What supplements can support digestive health?

It depends on your goal. Probiotics support gut flora, prebiotics feed beneficial bacteria, digestive enzymes support food breakdown, and ginger may relieve digestive upset.¹–³

How do I choose a probiotic?

Compare the probiotic strains, CFU count, intended use, age group, format, and storage directions. A higher CFU count isn’t automatically better.¹

What does CFU mean?

CFU stands for colony-forming units. It indicates how many live probiotic microorganisms a serving provides.

Sources
  1. Health Canada. Probiotics Monograph. Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate. Updated April 24, 2026.[Text Wrapping Break] https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq?atid=probio 
  2. Health Canada. Prebiotics Monograph. Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate. Updated April 24, 2026. https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_prebiotics_english.pdf 
  3. Health Canada. Ginger — Zingiber officinale Monograph. Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate. Updated December 19, 2025.[Text Wrapping Break] https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_ginger_english.pdf 
  4. Health Canada. Licensed Natural Health Products Database — Apple Cider Vinegar, NPN 80090963.[Text Wrapping Break] https://health-products.canada.ca/lnhpd-bdpsnh/info?licence=80090963 
  5. Health Canada. Canada’s Food Guide.[Text Wrapping Break] https://food-guide.canada.ca/ 
  6. HealthLink BC. A Low Fibre Eating Pattern. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/living-well/food-and-nutrition/conditions/digestive-conditions/low-fibre-eating-pattern 
  7. Health Canada. About Natural Health Products.[Text Wrapping Break]https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/natural-non-prescription/regulation/about-products.html