Be Well Living / 
Digestive Support 101: Enzymes, Pre/Probiotics & Simple Fiber Add-Ins featuring NOW Foods

Good digestion lays the foundation for steady energy, clear thinking, and better metabolic health.

When your gut is working well, you absorb more of the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients from your food, support healthier blood sugar balance, and help calm underlying inflammation. 

Even a “perfect” diet can leave you bloated, sluggish, and undernourished if you’re not properly digesting the food you consume. The good news? You don’t have to overhaul everything at once to improve your digestion. 

With a few targeted tools, like digestive enzymes, gentle fibers, and prebiotics, you can make the meals you’re already eating work harder for you, not against. This is where NOW® Foods shines: approachable, accessible, and thoughtfully-formulated supplements and nutritionals that make everyday healthy living feel doable.

Below is a simple guide to three key pieces of digestive support:

• Enzymes
• Prebiotics and probiotics
• Fiber

We’re going to dive into each of these supports and how to layer them into a Fab Four-style way of eating (protein, fat, fiber, and greens) for better digestion to feel your best. 

Food-Specific Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are proteins that help your body break food down into smaller, absorbable pieces. Your body makes its own, but stress, age, large or heavy meals, or digestive issues can make that system feel a bit overloaded. 

Using the right enzyme blend with certain meals can support more comfortable digestion, less bloating, and better nutrient uptake. Especially when a meal is richer in protein, fat, or complex carbohydrates.

Think of enzymes as friendly helpers you bring in during “rush hour.” You still focus on whole, balanced meals, but give your system a boost when you know you’re asking more of it (heavier dinners, meals out, foods that are new or occasionally harder for you to digest).

Super Enzymes:

NOW Super Enzymes (code KELLY for 20% off) are a broad-spectrum formula designed to support the breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in one capsule. They pair well with:

• Heavier meals (think restaurant meals, holiday dinners, or rich sauces)
• Meals that combine several “heavier” elements like protein, cheese, fried foods, or dense carbs

How to use them practically:

• Take them right before or at the beginning of a meal that tends to leave you feeling overly full, gassy, or bloated.
  
• Start with the recommended serving and pay attention to how you feel. Many people notice less uncomfortable fullness and a smoother “after” feeling.
  

Gluten Digest:

If you feel best mostly gluten-free (or gluten-light) but would like to still enjoy an occasional slice of pizza, sourdough bread, or a home-baked dessert, a targeted gluten-support formula can be a helpful tool. 

NOW Gluten Digest (code KELLY for 20% off) is designed with enzymes that help break down components of gluten found in foods like bread, pasta, and other baked goods.

How to use it:

• Take it with meals that contain gluten when you notice you tend to get mild bloating or digestive discomfort.
  
• Pair it with a balanced plate (protein, fat, fiber, greens) to further support steadier blood sugar and digestion.
  

Important Note: It is not a replacement for a gluten-free diet in celiac disease or medically diagnosed gluten intolerance. It is best thought of as a “support tool” for those occasional gluten-containing meal rather than a free pass to ignore your body’s signals.

Dairy Digest Complete:

Many people don’t tolerate dairy as well as they used to but still love a creamy coffee, cheese board, or occasional ice cream.

NOW Dairy Digest Complete (code KELLY for 20% off) is formulated to support the digestion of both lactose (the milk sugar) and dairy proteins, which can be helpful when dairy leaves you feeling gassy, crampy, or uncomfortable.

Practical ways to use it:

• Take with meals or snacks that feature dairy, such as a cheesy omelet, yogurt parfait, or creamy pasta.
• Use it on occasions when you choose to include dairy and want support so it feels like less of a gamble.

Enzymes are not meant to replace a nourishing diet, but they can make your real-life meals more comfortable and more efficient for nutrient absorption, especially when used intentionally.

Prebiotics vs. Probiotics: Feeding Your Inner Ecosystem

Your gut is home to trillions of microbes, including bacteria, yeasts, and other organisms that together make up your microbiome. A more balanced, diverse microbiome is linked to better digestion, more stable mood, stronger immunity, and even healthier metabolism.

Two key players here are probiotics and prebiotics:

Probiotics:

Probiotics are live “friendly” bacteria you can get from fermented foods (like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and some cheeses) and from supplements. They help:

• Support healthy digestion and regularity
• Crowd out less helpful microbes
• Support gut barrier health and immune balance

Adding a daily probiotic supplement or regularly including cultured foods can be especially supportive after antibiotic use, during times of high stress, or when you’re working on specific digestive issues.

Prebiotics:

Prebiotics are the fibers and compounds that feed your beneficial gut bacteria. If probiotics are the “garden,” prebiotics are the fertilizer. Without enough prebiotic fibers, beneficial microbes have a harder time thriving.

Common prebiotic sources include:

• Certain fibers like inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
• Whole foods such as onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, bananas, and oats

Together, prebiotics and probiotics help create a more resilient gut environment, which can translate into better digestion, more consistent energy, and a stronger foundation for overall wellness.

Fiber 101: Soluble vs. Insoluble

Fiber is another non-negotiable for a healthy gut. It supports regularity, helps manage blood sugar, promotes satiety, and even supports heart health. Most people fall short of the recommended daily fiber intake, which is where smart add-ins can be powerful.

There are two main types you’ll hear about: Soluble and Insoluble fiber. 

Soluble Fiber:

Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like texture in the gut. It can:

• Slow digestion somewhat, helping to balance blood sugar after meals
• Help you feel fuller longer
• Support healthy cholesterol levels
  • Examples: oats, psyllium husk, inulin, beans, lentils, and many fruits

Insoluble Fiber:

Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. It adds bulk to the stool and supports movement through the digestive tract. It can:

• • Help prevent constipation
  • Support regular bowel movements
  • Contribute to a more complete feeling of elimination
    • Examples: vegetable skins, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and bran

A mix of both soluble and insoluble fiber helps your digestive system work smoothly. Gentle, steady increases in fiber, paired with hydration, decrease bloating while supporting regularity and more stable energy.

My Favorite NOW Foods Fiber Add-Ins

Adding fiber does not have to be complicated or time-consuming. A few simple “sprinkle-in” products can turn the meals you already enjoy into more gut-supportive plates.

Psyllium Husk Powder: 

Psyllium husk powder (use code KELLY for 20% off) is rich in soluble fiber, and it’s incredibly versatile. It helps support:

• Feelings of fullness between meals
• Regular, comfortable bowel movements
• More stable blood sugar response when eaten with carbohydrates

Easy ways to use psyllium husk powder:

1. Add a small amount (start with 1 teaspoon and work upward) to smoothies for a thicker, more satisfying texture.
2. Stir into yogurt or chia pudding.
3. Incorporate into baked goods like muffins or pancakes to boost fiber without drastically changing flavor.

*Always pair psyllium husk with plenty of water. Fiber works best and feels best when you’re well hydrated.

Inulin Powder:

Inulin powder (use code KELLY for 20%) is a prebiotic soluble fiber that primarily serves your beneficial gut bacteria. It can support:

• A healthier, more diverse microbiome
• Bowel regularity
• Gentle, gradual support for digestion when added over time

Because inulin is fermentable, it’s wise to start low and go slow to avoid extra gas or bloating.

Practical uses:

1. Stir a small amount into a morning smoothie.
2. Mix into your Fab Four smoothie (protein, fat, fiber, and greens) for a subtle sweetness and prebiotic boost.
3. Add to yogurt bowls, chia pudding, or homemade energy bites.

With both psyllium and inulin, consistency matters more than perfection. Think small, daily additions, not huge doses here and there.

The Fab Four: Putting It All Together

The Fab Four approach, including protein, fat, fiber, and greens in every meal, is designed to stabilize blood sugar, keep you fuller longer, and support steady energy. It also pairs beautifully with digestive support tools.

Here’s how it all fits together in real life:

• Protein helps build and repair tissue and slows the absorption of carbs
• Healthy fats help with satiety and hormone balance
• Fiber and greens support digestion, regularity, and a healthy microbiome

Layering in NOW's digestive allies can take this framework one step further:

• Use Super Enzymes with a heavier Fab Four meal (like a steak salad with avocado and roasted potatoes) to support comfortable digestion and better nutrient absorption.*
• Add Psyllium Husk Powder to your Fab Four smoothie (protein powder + nut butter + greens + berries) to improve fullness and support more stable blood sugar.*
• Stir Inulin into your morning oats or yogurt bowl for a prebiotic boost that feeds your beneficial gut bacteria.*
• Use Gluten Digest or Dairy Digest Complete when your Fab Four-style plate includes occasional gluten or dairy and you want extra support for how you feel afterward.*

You don’t need every tool at every meal. Instead, think of these as options you can reach for when they match what’s on your plate and how you want to feel after eating.

Supporting your digestion is one of the most practical ways to support your whole health. By building Fab Four-style meals and thoughtfully adding enzymes, prebiotics, and fiber where needed, you set your body up to actually use the nutrition you’re investing in. 

With approachable tools from NOW and a few simple habits, you can move from “I hope this sits well” to “I know how to support my gut” one meal at a time. 

*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.