Do you love your gut? You should.
Not only does it break down your food into absorbable nutrients and energy, it’s at the core of your overall health in countless other ways as well. When it comes to keeping you feeling your best and thriving, your gut puts in the work.
But a well-functioning gut doesn’t happen by chance. It requires the right balance of bacteria, enzymes, and stomach acid to do its job effectively. Let’s dive into the importance of gut health, why it matters for your entire body, and how you can support it with the right lifestyle choices and supplements.
What Is Your Microbiome?
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria—more than the number of human cells in your body.1 This ecosystem, known as your gut microbiome, plays a major role in digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and even mental well-being.2
Here’s how your microbiome works: The microorganisms living in your digestive system help break down complex carbohydrates, produce essential vitamins, and even protect your body by outcompeting “bad” bacteria.2 When the microbiome is in balance, things run smoothly. But when it’s off? You tend to feel it everywhere.
So, how do you keep your microbiome balanced? It starts with supporting digestion at every stage.
Why Digestive Enzymes Matter
Probiotics get a lot of attention. But when it comes to your gut’s ability to break down food into nutrients your body can absorb, digestive enzymes are just as essential.2
Examples of essential enzymes include:
- Amylase
- Protease (like Pepsin, Bromelain, and Papain)
- Lipase
- Lactase
- Cellulase
- Pancreatin
Your body naturally makes digestive enzymes, but sometimes it needs a little extra support, especially if you eat a big meal, have food sensitivities, or just want to keep digestion running smoothly.
That’s where KAL Super Enzymes come in. This powerhouse formula uses each of the enzymes listed above to help your body process fats, proteins, and carbohydrates efficiently.* We’ve even added traditional herbs like Ginger, Fennel and Chamomile because we know the value of natural herbs when it comes to helping our bodies thrive.
The Role of Stomach Acid in Gut Function
While “gut” is a catch-all term for your digestive system, the stomach is the first stop. Its main contribution to your digestive process is stomach acid, or gastric acid.3 Here’s why.
Once your food enters the stomach, gastric acid and digestive enzymes break it down into smaller components so your body can absorb and use the nutrients. Maintaining a healthy stomach pH is key to this process, but modern diets can disrupt this balance, which may affect digestion and overall well-being.
KAL Betaine HCl+ is designed to help maintain balance in your gut.* It combines two digestion-friendly ingredients—Betaine Hydrochloride and Pepsin—to help your body break down nutrients and keep your gut running smoothly.*
Balancing stomach acid and enzymes is a crucial step toward better gut health—one that many people overlook.
Gut Health Beyond Digestion
Supporting digestion is just the beginning. A healthy gut impacts so much more than just how you feel after eating.
Your Gut and Your Immune System
About 70% of your immune system resides in your gut.5 Your microbiome plays a critical role in bolstering and maintaining your body’s natural defenses.
Your microbiome is made up of billions of bacteria. When it maintains a healthy balance of “good” bacteria (such as probiotics) and “bad” bacteria, it means your immune system is better equipped to respond to challenges.2 But when gut bacteria are out of whack, immune function can suffer, leading to increased susceptibility to common health concerns.
While processed foods or certain medications can disrupt this balance, supplementing with probiotics such as KAL Acidophilus Probiotic-4 can help by supporting your gut microbiome with hundreds of millions of “good” bacteria.
The Gut-Brain Axis: How Your Digestive System Affects Mood
Ever had a "gut feeling"? Turns out, it’s more than just an expression. Your gut and brain are directly connected through a communication network called the gut-brain axis.4
Your gut produces neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which play key roles in mood regulation and emotional well-being. An imbalanced microbiome has been linked to feelings of stress, fatigue, and more.
Scientists are now exploring how supporting gut health may also support mental clarity and a more balanced mood.4
How to Support Your Gut Every Day
The good news? Taking care of your gut doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how to keep your digestion (and overall wellness) on track:
1. Fuel the Right Way
What you eat directly impacts your gut microbiome. A gut-friendly diet rich in fiber, fermented foods, and healthy fats helps good bacteria thrive. Some of the best food for gut health includes:
- Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and miso
- High-fiber foods like whole grains, oats, and leafy greens
- Prebiotic foods like garlic, onions, and bananas
- Healthy fats from sources like avocados, nuts, and olive oil
Certain herbs, like aloe vera, have also been known to support your digestive health.* Limiting processed foods and excessive sugar can also help maintain a balanced microbiome.
2. Take Targeted Supplements
Sometimes, diet alone isn’t enough. That’s where gut health vitamins and supplements come in.*
- Digestive enzymes (like KAL Super Enzymes) help break down food efficiently.*
- Betaine HCl (like KAL Betaine HCl+) supports gut harmony from within.*
- Bromelain (like these KAL Bromelain tablets in 500 mg and 1,000 mg doses), a natural enzyme derived from pineapple, aids both digestion and joint health.*
- Probiotics (like KAL Acidophilus Probiotic-4) can provide hundreds of millions of “good” bacteria to help support a balanced gut microbiome.*
- Psyllium Husk (featured in KAL Cleanout Magnesium Powder), a natural fiber, can promote regularity to help keep things in your gut running smoothly.*
Adding these to your routine can support a healthy microbiome and digestion in particular, while promoting better gut health and overall wellness.
3. Rest, Relax, Reset
High stress levels can throw your microbiome out of balance, leading to digestive issues and immune challenges. Incorporating stress-management techniques—like meditation, deep breathing, and regular exercise—can make a difference.
Sleep is another key factor. Your gut microbiome follows a rhythm, just like the rest of your body, and poor sleep can disrupt its balance.2 Aim for at least 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
If you need a little extra support for sleep or occasional stress, we've got you covered—shop KAL’s Sleep Support and Mood & Stress collections for clean, simple formulas designed to soothe your system and help you unwind.*
The Bottom Line: A Healthy Gut = A Healthier You
Your gut is the foundation of your well-being. By supporting digestion, maintaining a balanced microbiome, and making gut-friendly lifestyle choices, you’re setting yourself up for smoother digestion, a supported immune system, and more.
That’s why, when it comes to fueling good feelings, smart ones start with the gut.
For more tips on nutrition, mindful wellness practices, and how to build a bedrock of wellness that lasts, follow us on Instagram at @kalvitamins!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
- Sender, Ron et al. “Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body.” PLoS biology vol. 14,8 e1002533. 19 Aug. 2016, doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002533.
- Van Hul, Matthias et al. “What defines a healthy gut microbiome?.” Gut vol. 73,11 1893-1908. 7 Oct. 2024, doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2024-333378.
- Ramsay, Philip T, and Aaron Carr. “Gastric acid and digestive physiology.” The Surgical clinics of North America vol. 91,5 (2011): 977-82. doi:10.1016/j.suc.2011.06.010.
- “The Brain-Gut Connection,” Johns Hopkins, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection.
- Cohen, Sandy. “If you want to boost immunity, look to the gut.” UCLA Health, https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/want-to-boost-immunity-look-to-the-gut.
