Welcome to the Gut Hub

The gut does far more than digest food. It houses trillions of microbes and much of the immune system, and it communicates directly with the brain. Explore how the digestive system and microbiome influence overall health, read the research we've done and supplements that can help.

Quick read

Gut health explained: the microbiome, immunity and mood

Gut health and systemic connection

The gut microbiome balance is systemically linked to health, affecting immunity,<sup>1</sup> mental health<sup>2</sup> and digestive function.<sup>3</sup> A healthy gut microbiota enhances nutrient absorption, supports immune homeostasis, and contributes to overall physiological resilience.

Immune system support

Approximately 70 to 80% of immune cells reside in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT).<sup>4</sup> Promoting a balanced gut microbiome supports immune resilience, helping to maintain mucosal immunity and reducing the risk of pathogen overgrowth.

Microbiome and mental health

The gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication network between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system, plays a significant role in mental health. The microbiome can influence neurotransmitter production, including serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which are involved in mood regulation.<sup>4</sup>

Digestive function and nutrient absorption

A diverse gut microbiome is essential for optimal digestive function. Probiotics help break down fibres and complex carbohydrates, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that nourish the gut lining, regulate inflammation, and support overall GI health.<sup>5</sup> Enhanced digestion from a balanced microbiome also aids in efficient nutrient absorption, especially for essential vitamins and minerals.

The powerhouse behind your health

Everything your body does requires nutrients including, but not limited to, building and repairing cells, making energy & hormones, your brain function, blood function and muscle function. Proper digestion and absorption of nutrients is a core factor in our health and survival.
31% of people from our skin health survey reported poor gut health impacting their skin health. Digestive problems in the gut can break down the protective antimicrobial barrier and impair its function, which can make our skin vulnerable to inflammation.
Poor gut health can lead to inflammation and an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, which can then travel to the vaginal area and disrupt the delicate balance of the vaginal microbiome.
Our digestive system has a big influence on our immune system. Around 70-80% of your immune system originates from your gut, so if you want to stay well, making gut health a priority is essential.
An imbalance in gut bacteria means more metabolites are produced, which can raise cholesterol levels or harm our blood vessels.
A healthy gut microbiome helps increase the production and communication of our happy hormone called 'serotonin.' 95% of serotonin is produced from the gut and sent back up to the brain, calming our mood. 50% of people from our gut survey felt more stressed and suffered from poor sleep as a result of poor gut health.
75% of our gut health survey respondents who had poor gut health indicted a lack of energy. Your gut helps absorb the nutrients from the foods you eat to fuel your energy and brain.
Two-thirds of our gut health survey respondents struggled with their weight. Different types of bacteria living in the gut can have different impacts on health. Example, the Mediterranean Diet seems to have beneficial impacts to the gut microbiome promoting a healthy life and could be a useful tool against obesity. Dietary strategies targeting the gut microbiota have been shown to be successful in decreasing obesity and metabolic disorders via different molecular mechanisms.

6 Signs of an unhealthy gut

When the gut is out of balance it will be sure to let you know. In our gut survey, 44% of people said their gut health restricts how they go about their daily life, a third of people avoid social contact and going out as a result of their gut health, while 30% of people experience mild depression.

Here are the top signs to look out for that may indicate your gut is in need of some love.

Skin conditions

Skin conditions

Healthy bowel movements sweep toxins out of the body, if natural detoxification doesn't occur, toxins will be reabsorbed through the gut, and the body has to push them out through the skin, causing redness and acne.

Poor concentration

Poor concentration

The main chemicals needed for concentration are acetylcholine, dopamine and noradrenaline, and they're produced in the gut by probiotics. Disruptions to probiotic numbers will decrease these chemicals and in turn your ability to concentrate and focus.

Gas and bloating

Gas and bloating

Gas and bloating can occur for a few reasons. Low stomach acid and enzyme production can inhibit the breakdown of foods, fibres, sugar, fats or protein, and allows bacterial fermentation which creates gas and bloating.

Constipation

Constipation

Constipation is an obvious sign of an unhealthy digestive system. Constipation can be caused by a lack of probiotics, which provide most of the weight of faecal matter.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea occurs when the gut is irritated due to parasites, detrimental bacteria, poorly digested foods or food sensitivities.

Insomnia

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common problem and affects life quality. Research shows you're more likely to suffer poor sleep or insomnia if you suffer poor digestion or IBS.

Discover the link between ADHD and gut health

The gut-brain axis has had extensive research into it in the last few years and the understanding that gut health is critical for brain health is no longer disputed. The microbiome plays a significant role in neurotransmitter functions.9 Increasing research is concerned with the links - either directly or indirectly - between gut microbiota and neurodevelopment conditions such as ADHD and Autism.

Learn more

How food impacts gut health

Discover factors impacting gut health in the UK diet and foods that can help support it.

59% of people from our survey into gut health stated bread and refined carbs trigger gut health issues.

Foods to reach for

Foods to avoid

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The evidence behind DRV+

Gut Health

The hidden burden of gut health

Our survey of 811 adults reveals how widespread, multi-symptom and life-affecting gut health issues really are - and how poorly current options meet the need.

811 respondents October 2022 Cross-sectional customer survey
92% report gut issues
81% experience bloating
97% say it affects wider wellbeing
Study Findings

We surveyed 811 adults on the prevalence, breadth and psychosocial impact of gut symptoms, and the strategies they use to manage them.

What we found:

92% reported some degree of gut issues, carrying a mean of 6.2 symptoms each - led by bloating (81%), fatigue (62%) and wind (52%). 97% said gut health affected another area of wellbeing such as energy, weight or mood, and 67% found symptoms worsened with anxiety. No management strategy was rated 'very effective' by more than one in five users.

What This Means

It's rarely just one symptom

Mean 6.2 symptoms per person; 41% had seven or more at once.

Gut issues cluster rather than appear in isolation.

It spills into everything

97% said gut health affects energy, weight or mood.

And 67% report a clear gut–anxiety link.

A real unmet need

No strategy was 'very effective' for more than 1 in 5.

Pointing to demand for genuinely effective options.

Read the abstract
Women's Health

How menopause reshapes gut health

Our survey of 1,526 women shows that gut health deteriorates for most women during menopause - usually beginning in perimenopause.

1,526 respondents January 2024 Cross-sectional customer survey
67% report worse gut health
73% experience bloating
79% feel a psychosocial impact
Study Findings

We surveyed 1,526 women across the menopausal transition on gut symptoms, their timing, frequency and downstream impact.

What we found:

66.8% reported noticeably worse gut health since menopausal symptoms began - typically starting in peri-menopause (58%). Bloating led (73%), experienced daily or near-daily by 77% of those affected. 79% reported a psychosocial consequence. Among gut-targeted supplements assessed, Gut Works® rated strongest (78.4% positive).

What This Means

It starts earlier than expected

58% first noticed gut changes in peri-menopause.

Often before menopause is formally established.

Persistent, not occasional

77% of bloating sufferers experience it daily or near-daily.

With a mean of 3.4 gut symptoms per woman affected.

Diet alone isn't enough

Only 11% found dietary change 'very effective'; Gut Works® led supplements at 78.4%.

Targeted support outperformed diet for most women

Read the abstract

Summary of probiotics and their benefits

Many systems in the body rely on probiotics to function effectively. Probiotics help with the digestion of food by producing digestive enzymes, they support the function of the immune system, promote effective detoxification, they help to maintain healthy skin, and they create neurotransmitters when they travel to the brain. Having multiple probiotic strains is also a bonus as each strain provides a different action in the gut. It is estimated there are over 40,000 different strains of probiotics in the gut, so it makes sense to take a multi-strain formula.

Streptococcus Thermophilus

Streptococcus Thermophilus

Studied for C. difficile infection (10,11,12) and cholesterol (33,34,35,36,37,38), with anti-allergy and immune-modulating effects in hay fever, asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergy prevention (24,25,26,27,28).

Lactobacillus Casei

Lactobacillus Casei

Studied for C. difficile infection (10,11,12), constipation (13,14), diverticular disease (15,16), IBS (17,18,19), traveller’s diarrhoea (20,21,22), UTIs (22,30,32) and cholesterol (33,34,35,36,37,38), with anti-allergy and immune-modulating effects in hay fever, asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergy prevention (24,25,26,27,28).

Lactobacillus Plantarum

Lactobacillus Plantarum

Studied for bacterial vaginosis (8,9), C. difficile infection (10,11,12), constipation (13,14), IBS (17,18,19), tooth decay (23), atopic dermatitis (25,26,27,28), UTIs (22,30,32) and cholesterol (33,34,35,36,37,38).

Bifidobacterium Lactis

Bifidobacterium Lactis

Studied for IBS (17,18,19), upper respiratory infections (31), UTIs (22,30,32) and cholesterol (33,34,35,36,37,38), with anti-allergy and immune-modulating effects in hay fever (24,25,26).

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus

Studied for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (6,7), C. difficile infection (10,11,12), constipation (13,14), IBS (17,18,19), traveller’s diarrhoea (20,21,22), atopic dermatitis (25,26,27,28), acne (29,30), upper respiratory infections (31), UTIs (22,30,32) and cholesterol (33,34,35,36,37,38).

Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Studied for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (6,7), bacterial vaginosis (8,9), C. difficile infection (10,11,12), diverticular disease (15,16), IBS (17,18,19), traveller’s diarrhoea (20,21,22), hay fever (24,25,26), acne (29,30), UTIs (22,30,32) and cholesterol (33,34,35,36,37,38).

Meet our range of gut health and live culture supplements, which are formulated by our expert nutritionists

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Free gut health resources

Practitioner papers, supplement considerations and client handouts to read online or download as PDF.

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Education hubs

Perimenopause
& Menopause

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Health

Men's
Health

Stress & Mood
Support

Sleep
Support

Weight
Management

Skin
Health

PMS

Blood
Sugar

Vaginal Health

Bone
& Muscle

Brain
Health

Eye
Health

Fibre

Heart
Health

Hydration

Kid's
Health

Pregnancy

Gut survey: Based on a UK survey conducted by DRV+ (Formerly DR.VEGAN®) of 246 customers, nationally representative, during August & September 2022. All customer survey findings reflect our own efforts and have not been influenced or verified by any external organisations or third-party entities.

Skin survey: Based on a UK survey conducted by DRV+ (Formerly DR.VEGAN®) of 300 customers, nationally representative, during May 2023. All customer survey findings reflect our own efforts and have not been influenced or verified by any external organisations or third-party entities.

References