Written by The Editors
We all know the grind: you plan your meals, track your macros, get your workouts in, and maybe even toss some supplements into the mix. You’re doing everything right to hit your fitness goals. But here’s a question you might not have asked yourself lately—how’s your gut doing?
Yeah, your gut. Not the part of your core you're training with crunches, but the one inside that’s full of bacteria. Before you start getting squeamish, know this: your body is home to trillions of bacteria—and that’s a good thing. In fact, they outnumber your actual cells by about 10 to 1. Most of them hang out in your digestive system, doing behind-the-scenes work that’s absolutely essential for your health and your gains.
Your Gut Runs the Show (Seriously)
So here’s the deal: about 70% of your immune system lives in your gut. That means if your gut is out of whack, your immune system might be lagging too. This matters big time if you're working out hard, because exercise—even though it’s great for you—puts temporary stress on your body. That stress can cause a dip in your immunity for up to 72 hours post-workout. Yup, your body is more vulnerable to getting sick after those high-intensity training sessions.
Does that mean you should stop training? Of course not. But it does mean you should be thinking about how to support your immune system—and it starts with taking care of your gut.
Why Gut Health = Better Digestion (and Better Results)
We all obsess over protein intake. It’s the holy grail of gym nutrition. But here’s the kicker: your body can only digest so much of it in one go—around 25 grams per meal, and sometimes even less depending on the person. That means if your gut isn’t functioning well, a chunk of that protein could be going to waste.
Supporting your gut health can help your body actually use that protein better. Some probiotics, like the one we’re about to get into, may help break it down more efficiently so your body can absorb those precious amino acids—the real building blocks of muscle.
Meet DE111: The Probiotic That’s More Than Just a Buzzword
So how do you start showing your gut some love? Enter DE111—aka Bacillus subtilis DE111—a powerful probiotic strain that’s been getting some well-deserved attention.
What’s cool about DE111 is that it’s not just a generic probiotic. It’s been clinically proven to balance gut bacteria, improve digestion of tricky-to-digest stuff like fats and complex carbs, and even boost your production of butyric acid, which keeps your large intestine in tip-top shape.
But wait, there’s more. DE111 also helps your body produce the antibodies IgG and IgA. Translation: it gives your immune system the tools to fight off invaders more effectively.
And here’s something that’ll catch any athlete’s eye—a study on female collegiate athletes showed that those taking DE111 not only saw a drop in body fat but also performed better in deadlifts. So yeah, it’s got some pretty exciting potential in the gym, too.
Where to Find It? Try PVL’s ISOGOLD
If you’re wondering how to get DE111 into your routine, the good news is it’s already blended into a top-tier whey protein: PVL ISOGOLD. It’s high-quality, clean, and now with DE111 in the mix, it does more than just help build muscle—it supports gut health and immunity, too.
So if you’re chasing gains and optimal performance but skipping over gut health, you might be leaving results on the table. Start thinking beyond just macros and protein totals. Get your gut in the game, and you might be surprised by how much stronger, leaner, and healthier you feel.