Dr. Rose, M.D. (researcher)

Evan Jerkunica (writer)

Gundry MD PrebioThrive Review

Review Rating:

Best for: Prebiotic with Fiber to Support Probiotic Growth

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Review Summary of Gundry MD PrebioThrive

Dr. Gundry has spent many years studying the human microbiome and how the digestive system works. His primary research has focused on leaky gut–the ability for bacteria and endotoxins to pass through tiny holes in the intestinal wall–what causes it and more importantly what cures it.

In PrebioThrive, Gundry MD has combined five potent and fiber-rich prebiotics as a way to support the growth of probiotics and good bacteria in the gut. His choice of prebiotic ingredients should be of value to many people…but not all. I’ve seen results vary from rapid improvement to zero change. In the end, every body is different and every person needs to research and test products on their own. One word of warning: PrebioThrive is neither vegan- or vegetarian-safe; it contains milk.

About Dr. Gundry

For more than 30 years, Steven Gundry, MD was a practicing heart and cardiothoracic surgeon at Loma Linda University. But when he watched a seriously ill and dangerously obese patient use diet to reverse his heart condition and improve his general health, Dr. Gundry was intrigued. He retired from heart surgery and dedicated the next 15 years to research and a clinical practice in the fields of dietary nutrition and the human microbiome.

PrebioThrive Ingredients

Acacia Gum

Acacia gum is also known as gum Arabic and has been used for centuries in various forms. It is a thick, gummy syrup that comes from the sap of the Acacia tree. It is a complex mixture of glycoproteins and polysaccharides, predominantly consisting of arabinose and galactose.

Acacia gum is soluble in water, edible, and used in the food industry primarily as a stabilizer and thickener. It is found in soft drink syrup and “hard” gummy candies such as gumdrops, marshmallows, and M&M’s chocolate candies. In the pharmaceutical industry, acacia is used as a thickener, emulsifier, and a binder in many medications.

Acacia is a soluble dietary fiber, meaning it is a complex polysaccharide that is primarily indigestible to both humans and animals. It has an excellent safety profile. Relevant to the current product, it is not degraded in the intestine, but is fermented in the colon by microorganisms. It is therefore a prebiotic.A In fact, several articles refer to it as “bifidogenic,” as it supports the growth of bifidobacteria in the gut.B It is, however, a known cause of flatulence in higher doses.

Agave Inulin

Inulins are plant-based polysaccharides that are used by the plant as an energy storage chemical. In humans, inulins are not digested and pass into the colon, feeding the resident bacterial. Sources of inulin include agave, banana/plantain, burdock, chicory, coneflower, dandelion, garlic, artichoke, jicama, onion, and wild yam.

In the United States in 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved inulin as a dietary fiber ingredient used to improve the nutritional value of manufactured food products.

As a soluble fiber, inulin forms a gelatinous material that nourishes the gut bacteria. It is broken down in the colon by bacteria through a process of fermentation. The fermentation results in large quantities of gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane. As such, foods high in inulin may cause intestinal discomfort for those who are unaccustomed to it.

Inulin may help with control of cholesterolC and diabetes,D although not everyone agreesE since it is not broken down into simple sugars and will not affect blood sugar.F It nourishes the microbiome of the gut and encourages the growth of healthy bacteria.

As of 2013, no regulatory authority had permitted health claims in the marketing of prebiotics as a class. It is likely that the beneficial effects of inulin come more from its prebiotic properties rather than a direct physiologic response to intake of inulin.

Organic Flaxseed

Flaxseeds come from flax plants and may be brown or yellow. Flaxseeds contain short-chain omega-3 fatty acids, a valuable molecule for fighting cholesterol. Flaxseeds can be crushed and pressed to make a vegetable oil known as flaxseed oil or linseed oil. Flax contains hundreds of times more lignans than other plant foods and are rich in thiamin, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Flaxseed has been recommended for reducing total and LDL cholesterol. A meta-analysis found that consumption of more than 30 g of flaxseed (about 4 ½ tablespoons of ground flaxseed) daily for more than 12 weeks reduced body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference for overweight people.G Another study showed reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after consumption of flaxseed for 12 weeks.H

Galacto-oligosaccharides

This is a class of complex carbohydrates derived from cow’s milk. They are unusual carbohydrates in that they resist breakdown by the usual salivary and gastric enzymes, passing to the gut as prebiotics. Once there, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) help the gut bacteria to flourish. This enables gut bacteria to do wonderful things for their human hosts including improving immune function, absorbing essential nutrients, making antioxidants, and making certain vitamins.

GOS promote the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, two bacterial strains that are often included in oral probiotic formulations. Because the gut microflora plays an important role in the intestinal immune system, GOS help support the natural immune defenses so important in fighting off infections by such bad actors as E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridia.I In addition, GOS help improve stool frequency and consistency, relieving constipation, and help repair “leaky gut.”J, K

Guar Gum

Guar gum is another soluble dietary fiber and is derived from guar beans. Most of the world’s guar beans are grown in India, although a significant crop is grown in the southern United States as well. The beans are dried, then ground to a powder and treated with acid (hydrolyzed) to reduce their viscosity. When combined with calcium, guar gum forms a gel that is useful as a thickening agent.

In the body, guar gum is mostly nondigestible. It adds bulk and filler to foods, helping to create a sense of satiety and fullness. It is a known cause of flatulence in higher doses. Its use has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of irritable bowel syndromeL and is also bifidogenic.M

Does PrebioThrive Have Any Allergens or Side Effects?

Gundry MD manufacturers PrebioThrive in a GMP-certified facility in the United States. PrebioThrive is soy-free, lectin-free, sugar-free and artificial sweetener-free. Gundry MD says ingredients are sourced for their purity, and PrebioThrive is organic and 100% natural.

Warning: PrebioThrive contains milk. So if you are allergic to dairy or lactose intolerant, this product may not be safe for you. It’s also not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

How to Take PrebioThrive

Gundry MD recommends taking one scoop of PrebioThrive each morning. Blend in 8 fl. oz. of water, fruit juice or smoothie. Consumers recommend mixing the powder into your drink of choice and allowing it to sit for a few minutes. This allows the powder to fully dissolve.

As with any supplement, before taking PrebioThrive, talk with your healthcare provider. This is all the more important if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or nursing, and especially if you have a medical condition or are taking medication(s).

If you have any adverse reaction, please discontinue immediately and consult your doctor or healthcare provider.

Does Gundry MD Offer a Money Back Guarantee for PrebioThrive?

Gundry MD does cover PrebioThrive with a 90-day money back guarantee (minus shipping and handling). The guarantee is only valid on products bought directly from the company, and gives you three months to try a product and decide.

Are There Any Product Complaints for PrebioThrive?

As with all supplements, results and experiences vary widely. I’ve had no problems taking PrebioThrive. And upon reading reviews, it appears that most customers are pleased with their results and say PrebioThrive works as described. However, a number of consumers have experienced gas, bloating, diarrhea and stomach discomfort. Others report that they have seen neither change or improvement.

Are There Any Scams Regarding PrebioThrive?

I’ve researched the Internet and have not seen any evidence of a scam associated with Gundry MD or PrebioThrive. That said, we continue to do our research. If you do an online search and see headlines such as PrebioThrive Scam, check it out, but it’s most likely clickbait to drive traffic and sales.

How Does PrebioThrive Taste?

PrebioThrive is a dissolving powder that is naturally flavored and sweetened by the active ingredients. It will not overpower the flavor of fruit juice or a smoothie. PrebioThrive is rich in natural fiber; expect a slightly thicker drink.

Is Gundry MD a Reputable Company with Good Customer Support?

Gundry MD has been in business for a number of years and has a large customer base. Although I have never had direct experience with the company, I notice that the customer support information is prominently displayed on the Gundry MD website. While the company is available to answer questions, Gundry MD only honors returns and refunds on products purchased directly from the company.

Where Can You Purchase Gundry MD PrebioThrive?

It’s always recommended that you buy your supplements from a reputable retailer or directly from the manufacturer. In this way, you are assured of receiving the freshest supplements in unopened containers. Often you also have access to volume discounts and special offers. In the case of Gundry MD, you can click here to buy directly.

Review Rating:

Best for: Prebiotic with Fiber to Support Probiotic Growth

Click here to buy

90-day money back guarantee when purchased directly from Gundry MD

Full Reference List

  1. Calame W, Weseler AR, Viebke C, Flynn C, Siemensma AD. Gum arabic establishes prebiotic functionality in healthy human volunteers in a dose-dependent manner. British Journal of Nutrition. 2008 Dec;100(6):1269-75.
  2. Cherbut C, Michel C, Raison V, Kravtchenko T, Severine M. Acacia gum is a bifidogenic dietary fibre with high digestive tolerance in healthy humans. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease. 2003 Jan 1;15(1):43-50.
  3. Kietsiriroje N, Kwankaew J, Kitpakornsanti S, Leelawattana R. Effect of phytosterols and inulin-enriched soymilk on LDL-cholesterol in Thai subjects: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Lipids in health and disease. 2015 Dec;14(1):146.
  4. Farhangi MA, Javid AZ, Dehghan P. The effect of enriched chicory inulin on liver enzymes, calcium homeostasis and hematological parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Primary care diabetes. 2016 Aug 1;10(4):265-71.
  5. Shoaib M, Shehzad A, Omar M, Rakha A, Raza H, Sharif HR, Shakeel A, Ansari A, Niazi S. Inulin: Properties, health benefits and food applications. Carbohydrate polymers. 2016 Aug 20;147:444-54.
  6. McRorie JW, Gibb RD, McKeown NM. Inulin-type fructans have no significant beneficial effects on lipid or glucose metabolism. European journal of clinical nutrition. 2017 May;71(5):677.
  7. Wilson B, Whelan K. Prebiotic inulin‐type fructans and galacto‐oligosaccharides: definition, specificity, function, and application in gastrointestinal disorders. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology. 2017 Mar;32:64-8.
  8. Bhatia S, Prabhu PN, Benefiel AC, Miller MJ, Chow J, Davis SR, Gaskins HR. Galacto‐oligosaccharides may directly enhance intestinal barrier function through the modulation of goblet cells. Molecular nutrition & food research. 2015 Mar;59(3):566-73.
  9. Mohammadi‐Sartang M, Mazloom Z, Raeisi‐Dehkordi H, Barati‐Boldaji R, Bellissimo N, Totosy de Zepetnek JO. The effect of flaxseed supplementation on body weight and body composition: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of 45 randomized placebo‐controlled trials. Obesity Reviews. 2017 Sep;18(9):1096-107.
  10. Khalesi S, Irwin C, Schubert M. Flaxseed consumption may reduce blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. The Journal of nutrition. 2015 Mar 4;145(4):758-65.
  11. Bruno-Barcena JM, Azcarate-Peril MA. Galacto-oligosaccharides and colorectal cancer: Feeding our intestinal probiome. Journal of functional foods. 2015 Jan 1;12:92-108.
  12. Giannini EG, Mansi C, Dulbecco P, Savarino V. Role of partially hydrolyzed guar gum in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Nutrition. 2006 Mar 1;22(3):334-42.
  13. Tuohy KM, Kolida S, Lustenberger AM, Gibson GR. The prebiotic effects of biscuits containing partially hydrolysed guar gum and fructo-oligosaccharides–a human volunteer study. British Journal of Nutrition. 2001 Sep;86(3):341-8.

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