Independent health store advice on gut health

Looking for advice on natural health and wellbeing? Your local independent health store can offer a wealth of expertise. This month we talk to Alicia Stephens, store manager and head of purchasing for Wild Oats Natural Foods in Bristol

Gut health is something we are asked about on a daily basis. There’s so much more information out there now, whether through social media, podcasts, or the work of experts like Professor Tim Spector and Dr Rupy Aujla, so people are more clued up than ever before. Customers often come to us with a solid understanding of the basics, such as what pre and probiotics are, or how digestive enzymes can help, and they are keen to learn how to put this knowledge into practice for their own health. The most common questions that customers ask us are quite practical. They want to know what they can take for issues like IBS, constipation, bloating, reflux, or general digestive discomfort. We are also often asked about ways to support the gut after a course of antibiotics. Others are simply looking for long-term strategies to keep their digestion running smoothly.

Trusted brands
Everyday probiotics are consistently popular, particularly from trusted brands which feature well-researched strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis and Saccharomyces boulardii. Beyond probiotics, we have seen strong demand for products like Power Health’s L-Glutamine, which supports the gut lining, and Terranova’s Digestive Enzymes, which can make meals easier to digest. These are all accessible options that customers can use daily to support their gut health naturally.

One range we are especially excited about is the Microbz liquid probiotics. Their Revive formula is particularly popular because it combines beneficial microbes with gut-supportive compounds like L-glutamine and S. boulardii, making it a great choice for those dealing with more complex gut health concerns. We are also impressed by Metagenics’ Gastroflux, which is designed to provide targeted support for reflux, and Living Nutrition’s Symbiotic, a wholefood-based formula that blends live bacteria with organic prebiotics. These innovative products show how the gut health category continues to evolve, offering customers more specialised options than ever before.

Fermented foods
Many of our customers prefer to take a food-first approach, and probiotic-rich foods are a natural place to start. Traditional ferments like kimchi from Bath Culture House, and Biotiful dairy kefir are extremely popular, as is Borough Broth Low-FODMAP-friendly beef bone broth, which is a comforting and nourishing way to support the gut. People enjoy experimenting with these foods, and it is great to see fermented staples becoming part of everyday diets.

We always encourage people to come and talk to one of our natural remedy advisors, who are all qualified nutritional therapists. Everyone’s gut is different, so what works well for one person may not be the best option for someone else. By speaking to a trained advisor, customers can get tailored recommendations that suit their individual health needs, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the choice available.

One of the simplest yet most effective steps to support your gut health is to eat a diet rich in soluble fibre, found in vegetables, fruits, pulses, wholegrains, nuts and seeds. This fibre acts as food for your beneficial gut bacteria, helping them to thrive and produce compounds that support your health. We also recommend trying to “eat the rainbow” – in other words, including a wide variety of colourful, organic vegetables in your meals. This diversity of plant foods helps nourish different strains of bacteria in your gut, which is key for resilience and balance.

The gut health connection

We feel there is still a lot of education needed in terms of the links between gut health and other areas like immunity, mood and skin. While some customers are beginning to make the connection, many are still surprised when we explain how far-reaching gut health can be. For example, it is common for people to come in looking for a cream to help with eczema symptoms, and they are often taken aback when we suggest that a probiotic could be part of the solution. Similarly, links between the gut and mood, or even immune resilience, are still relatively new ideas for many. Helping people understand these connections is one of the most rewarding parts of our roles, because it gives them tools to improve their wellbeing in ways they may never have considered.

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