One of the hottest topics in scientific research today is the microbiome, and Dr. Steven Gundry knows that better than most. Dr. Gundry is the founder of Gundry MD, a well-known health and wellness company with a significant focus on the microbiome. Dr. Gundry supplements have become popular in the industry, but are they truly worth adding to your health routine?
In this article, we’re going to take a look at Gundry MD, its founder, Dr. Steven Gundry, the products and supplements Dr. Gundry has formulated, and what establishes those supplements as best in class in digestive health. We’ll also discuss why Dr. Gundry has emerged as a leading expert on microbiome and digestive health within the natural products industry.
So, let’s dive into Dr. Gundry’s supplements and learn more!
Dr. Gundry Supplement Reviews
If you are interested in a specific supplement from Gundry MD, please click on one of the products below to navigate to the full review.
The Era Of The Microbiome
Interest in the microbiome and its role in digestive health continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. Since 2012, the scientific community and the Human Microbiome Project have invested nearly $1 billion in research to better understand the microorganisms operating inside our bodies. The microbiome is universally recognized as playing a crucial role in digestive health, maintaining well-being, and supporting the immune system.
Current research is focused on better understanding expanded microbiome interactions in heart health, oral health, women’s health, the endocrine system, the central nervous system, and the microbiome-brain connection, the “brain-gut axis.”
As scientists continue to validate the importance of the microbiome, consumer interest, and demand for products supporting digestive health has increased accordingly. Although Gundry MD markets an extensive range of products, its primary focus is on digestive health, pre, pro, and postbiotics.
Who Is Dr. Gundry?
In our reviews, we’ve covered successful and serial entrepreneurs, astute business people, product formulators, and scientists. However, we feel safe saying that Dr. Gundry is the most accomplished, well-educated inventor, scientist, doctor, author, and surgeon we’ve come across.
An Experienced And Accomplished Doctor And Surgeon
Dr. Gundry was a world-renowned heart surgeon for more than thirty years. He and his colleagues operated in over thirty countries and performed more pediatric heart transplants than anyone else in the world.
Education
Dr. Gundry graduated cum laude from Yale with special honors in Human Biological and Social Evolution. He was an Alpha Omega Alpha graduate of the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine. He did his residency in General Surgery and Thoracic Surgery at the University of Michigan.
Inventor And Author
On the Gundry MD site, they list several incredibly complex instruments used in heart surgery invented by the Doctor. He is also the author of several New York Times best-selling books, The Plant Paradox, Dr. Gundry’s Diet Evolution, and The Longevity Paradox.
Scientist And Doctor
In 2002 Dr. Gundry pivoted and established the Center for Restorative Medicine in Palm Springs, CA. Since then, he has spent nearly twenty years focusing on the microbiome and developing his theory of Holobiotics. He was a pioneer in discovering that the digestive system plays an essential role in your immune system’s healthy function.
Dr. Gundry’s “Holobiotics” Philosophy
We cannot have an in-depth discussion of Dr. Gundry and Gundry MD without addressing his “Holobiotics” theory. “Holobiotics” is a phrase Dr. Gundry created to describe the diet and lifestyle choices people must make to support the good microbes in your digestive system, what he refers to as your “gut buddies.” Poor diet and lifestyle choices can destroy good bacteria and promote the growth of harmful microbes. Holobiotics is about balance, bringing these microbes back into the proper ratio.
Dr. Gundry believes that good health only happens when you’re living in a state of harmony with the trillions of microbes that live everywhere in and on your body. The key to staying healthy is practicing good digestive health to power up your immune system against diseases, colds, flu, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
What Is Gundry MD?
Gundry MD is a wellness blog, YouTube channel, and supplement company, founded by Dr. Steven Gundry in 2016. The company’s reason for being and Dr. Gundry’s stated purpose is “to dramatically improve human health, happiness, and longevity through his unique vision of diet and nutrition.” The company markets an extensive array of products, from supplements to skin and haircare, foods, dog food, magazines, and his best-selling books.
On the Gundry MD website, In Dr. Gundry’s clinic, and The Plant Paradox, Dr. Gundry recommends a lectin-free diet. Lectins, a family of naturally occurring proteins, serve to protect plant life in nature. For humans, they’re considered an “anti-nutrient” as they inhibit the absorption of minerals. Lectins may also play a role in chronic inflammation. Dr. Gundry’s Plant Paradox Diet focuses on avoiding grains, legumes, and nightshade vegetables.
The Plant Paradox Diet is simple; avoid eating those foods high in lectins. Otherwise, you are encouraged to follow whatever diet strategy works best for you, Keto, intermittent fasting, three meals per day, vegan, vegetarian, or any other meal combination. The diet features wholesome proteins and fats, focusing on natural, organic, grass-fed, free-range, and wild-caught.
The Gundry MD blog contains a myriad of articles related to the microbiome and digestive health. Dr. Gundry has created YouTube videos for many of his products to detail the product’s benefits, recommend timing and dosages, and answer frequently asked questions.
The Gundry MD VIP Club
The company offers a VIP Club for those who subscribe (commit to monthly deliveries) of Gundry’s Vital Reds product. The VIP Club rewards these loyal customers with:
- A 60% discount off all Gundry products for life
- Free shipping on all orders
- Priority handling
- Exclusive VIP-only offers
- Coupons and additional savings
- Early access to new products
The monthly subscription to Vital Reds may be canceled at any time, yet VIP status remains in place.
Dr. Gundry Supplements
As mentioned, Gundry MD markets a broad array of supplements – more than forty different SKUs. Although the primary focus is digestive health, there are product offerings in weight management, plant-based protein powders, MCT products, heart health, joint support, vitamins and multi-vitamins, a detox, BCAAs (Branch-chained amino acids), liver support, omegas, and an anti-aging complex.
The company’s sweet spot is the products formulated by Dr. Gundry to support the microbiome, your beneficial microbes, and digestive health – pre, pro, and postbiotics. Probiotics are beneficial microbes, or your “gut buddies,” as Dr. Gundry likes to call them. Given the research budget, it’s not surprising that biotics is the fastest-growing category in the nutritional supplement space at an estimated $48 billion globally.
The term “biotics refers to nutritional strategies that can direct gut microbiota towards a more favorable state for host health.” Prebiotics and probiotics play an important role in the immune response. When pre and probiotics are combined in food ingredients or dietary supplements, they are referred to as synbiotics.
- Prebiotics are microorganisms that feed and support the healthy bacteria in your gut
- Probiotics, also living organisms, are beneficial bacteria, your gut buddies
- Synbiotics refers to the mixture of prebiotics and probiotics
We were introduced to a newer biotic concept, postbiotics, in Gundry’s Bio Complete 3. Postbiotics may include different compounds, including:
- Metabolites
- Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)
- Microbial cell fractions
- Functional proteins
- Extracellular polysaccharides (EPS)
- Cell lysates
Healthy individuals use postbiotics to improve overall health and wellbeing. The scientific community also theorizes that postbiotics can help relieve the symptoms of a range of diseases and eventually become the most important biotic. It appears Dr. Gundry is on to something that will further support the microbiome and improve your immune response.
Dr. Gundry Supplements: Digestive Health Products
Dr. Gundry has formulated an extensive line of digestive health products to address gut health issues. These include:
- 24 Strain Probiotics – a blend of 24 unique strains of good bacteria
- Prebiothrive – a prebiotic to support your probiotics
- Lectin Shield – to eliminate toxic proteins which may cause leaky gut syndrome
- Bio Complete 3 – a first of its kind blend of pre, pro, and postbiotics
- Total Restore – to promote a healthy gut lining
- Metabolic Advanced – for metabolic support
- GI Renew – for digestive enhancement
- Vital Reds and Primal Plants – polyphenol blends with added metabolic support and three billion CFU probiotics in each
There is no other company in the dietary supplement space with a lineup of digestive health products that rivals Gundry MD.
What Makes Dr. Gundry Supplements Stand Out
Gundry MD does things right. The natural products industry and dietary supplements are not FDA-approved. That is not to say the FDA doesn’t monitor and regulate the industry; it does but under a different set of standards. Under DSHEA (the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994), supplement companies do not need FDA approval prior to offering their products to the market. It is the company’s responsibility to ensure product safety, efficacy, and make sure that any structure-function claims are valid. The natural products industry is large, and some companies self-police better than others.
When preparing our “Best Of” articles, we adhere to specific guidelines in determining which products to feature.
Best In Class Supplement Standards
The following are among the most important attributes to consider when selecting a new supplement product:
- Products should be manufactured in a certified cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) facility.
- Companies that use independent third-party laboratories for quality and purity testing, examples, NSF, Informed Choice, or Safe for Sport certifications
- Label transparency is essential; look for products that identify all ingredients and their dosages, avoid secretive, proprietary blends
- Products that include patented, clinically tested ingredients in their formulation – at the appropriate dosage used in the clinical trial
- Products that are from all-natural sources, organic certified, vegan and vegetarian friendly
- Products that are free of sugar, gluten, soy, dairy, artificial flavors or sweeteners, and Non-GMO
- A money-back guarantee indicates the manufacturer’s willingness to stand behind the quality of its products
Gundry MD products meet or exceed each of the above best in class standards, giving us the confidence to recommend the addition of Gundry products to your supplement regimen.
Dr. Gundry scientifically researches and formulates each of the digestive health products. Ingredients, many of which are patented, trademarked, and clinically researched are incorporated, at the appropriate dosages to deliver the desired and claimed benefits. The transparency in the company’s ownership, marketing, labeling, and packaging are all best in class within the industry.
Popular Dr. Gundry Supplements
As mentioned, Dr. Gundry has emerged as one of the industry’s leading experts on the microbiome, gut health, and its role in immune health. Dr. Gundry is often cited in white papers, clinical trials, and industry articles when researching the microbiome or digestive health.
Below are several of the most popular Gundry MD gut health products for your consideration.
Vital Reds
Vital Reds, the Gundry MD VIP Program catalyst, is a powdered dietary supplement containing three different blends for energy, digestion, and metabolism.
Benefits
Vital Reds for increased energy levels, improved digestion, and healthier-looking skin. Contains natural fat-burning ingredients.
Key Ingredients
A Reds Blend of 34 polyphenol-rich superfruits of berries, grapes, and apple peel, plus Berberine. The metabolic blend for natural fat-burning includes green tea, white tea, turmeric, and black pepper fruit. A probiotic blend for digestion, 3 Billion CFUs.
Bio Complete 3
The Gundry product, Bio Complete 3, introduces postbiotics is in vegetable capsule form and includes three proprietary trademarked, all-natural ingredients, a prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic.
- Probiotics – your good gut bacteria
- Prebiotics – fueling those good bacteria
- Postbiotics – support the gut lining and address the symptoms of “leaky gut”
Benefits
Reduces cravings and helps to reduce belly fat. Improves digestion, increases energy, and importantly supports a healthy gut lining and improved immune system.
Key Ingredients
- CoreBiome™, from Compound Solutions, an SCFA (Short Chain Fatty Acid). A patented postbiotic licensed to Gundry MD under an exclusive global distribution agreement.
- Sunfiber® (200 mg) from Taiyo International, a prebiotic and soluble fiber.
- ProDURA® 2 Billion CFUs, a trademarked probiotic of UAS Laboratories.
SAVE UP TO 40% ON BIO COMPLETE 3
Total Restore
Total Restore – a dietary supplement, in vegetable capsule form, combining sixteen all-natural ingredients in a proprietary formula. Yes, a proprietary formula. However, Gundry MD lists each of the sixteen ingredients on the Supplement Facts panel with their precise dosages, in descending order, in perfect best in class fashion.
Benefits
Specifically formulated to promote a strong, healthy gut lining to eliminate gas and bloating. Improves energy, mental focus and may even improve mood. Reduces cravings. Contains N-acetyl D-glucosamine, a popular ingredient to address joint pain.
Key Ingredients
In addition to fourteen other researched ingredients, Total Restore contains two patented formulas, PepZin GI®, a 19 mg blend of Magnesium and two types of Zinc, and VitaBerry, a 22mg blend of organic berries including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, tart cherry, elderberry, and cranberry.
SAVE UP TO 40% ON TOTAL RESTORE
Primal Plants
Like Vital Reds, Primal Plants has three blends. Where Vital Reds has superfruit polyphenols, Primal Plant contains 25 superfood polyphenol ingredients. Both products include digestive health and metabolic support blends.
Benefits
Promote healthy digestion, increased energy levels and gives you more youthful, healthier skin. Also supports heart health.
Key Ingredients
A superfood greens blend with eleven powerful vegetable polyphenols to boost your energy and refresh your skin. The same metabolic and probiotic blends as delivered in Vital Reds – in the same dosage. Plus, a fourth blend with chicory root for digestive support.
SAVE UP TO 50% ON PRIMAL PLANTS
Proplant Complete Shake
ProPlant Complete Shake is a nutritional plant-based protein supplement in powdered form. The product comes in two flavors chocolate and vanilla. Nutritionals – 100 calories, 3 grams Fat, 12 grams of Carbohydrates (7 grams Dietary Fiber and 1 gm Sugar), and 10 grams of protein.
Benefits
Increased lean mass and elevated metabolism to help burn more calories. Protein also promotes satiety and decreases cravings. In the elderly supplemental protein can help to preserve muscle and delay the onset of sarcopenia. Supports heart and brain health.
Key Ingredients
The protein sources are all plant-based – Flaxseed, Hemp, and Spirulina, a naturally vegan-friendly option.
- Flaxseed – rich in the omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein
- Hemp – a high-quality, complete plant-based protein that contains all twenty amino acids, including the nine essential amino acids
- Spirulina – a nutrient-dense superfood, 60% protein containing all 18 amino acids, including all the nine essentials
SAVE UP TO 39% ON PROPLANT COMPLETE SHAKE
PrebioThrive
PrebioThrive is an unflavored powdered prebiotic supplement that contains fiber to support the growth of probiotics – soy-free and sugar-free, with no artificial sweeteners or lectins.
Benefits
The primary role of Prebiothrive is to balance the gut flora by supporting your healthy probiotics. Improves digestion and provides increased energy.
Key Ingredients
Contains five primary ingredients organic acacia gum, organic agave inulin, organic flaxseed, galactooligosaccharides, and organic guar gum.
- Organic acacia gum – a fiber-dense prebiotic ingredient
- Organic agave inulin – from the blue agave plant, is another excellent source of dietary fiber
- Organic flaxseed – a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant properties
- Organic guar gum – from guar beans, known to increase the fiber content in foods
- Galactooligosaccharides – to improve mineral absorption
GET UP TO 58% OFF PREBIOTHRIVE
24 Strain Probiotic
24 Strain Probiotic is a nutritional supplement delivered via vegetable capsule; as the name indicates, there are twenty-four unique probiotic strains, 30 billion CFUs per serving. Each strain plays a vital role in keeping your body functioning correctly to help manage and maintain digestive balance.
Benefits
Improves digestive regularity and reduces gas and bloating.
Key Ingredients
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum – immune function and digestive health
- Saccharomyces Boulardii – to help maintain regularity
- Lactobacillus Plantarum – for healthy cholesterol levels
- Lactobacillus Rhamnosus – for a healthy body weight
Different probiotic strains address unique health issues and deliver different benefits.
USE CODE “FITNESSCLONE” FOR 10% OFF 24 STRAIN PROBIOTIC
Stacking Dr. Gundry Supplements
Below are several suggestions on how you might use/stack the Gundry MD products highlighted above for optimal results.
First, regardless of your issue or objective, supplementing additional protein, particularly a plant-based product, is always a sound strategy. ProPlant may be stacked with any other digestive health products, especially if you use a product to reduce cravings and manage your weight. Suggestions: Vital Reds and/or Primal Plants, Total Restore, Bio Complete 3.
We’ve learned that the combination of probiotics and prebiotics can have a symbiotic effect, so 24 Strain Probiotic and Prebiothrive are naturally complementary.
Adding any other product to Total Restore will provide the added protection of a healthy gut lining. Prebiotics and probiotics make the most sense; however, superfruits (Vital Reds) or superfoods (Primal Plants) are also excellent choices.
Likewise, stacking Vital Reds and/or Primal Plants with pre, or probiotics, or ProPlant is a sound strategy if you’re seeking healthier skin.
These are just a few ideas for your consideration. Were we to expand this exercise to include the remaining Gundry MD products on their website, the exercise, and this article would be exhaustive.
Dr. Gundry Supplements Pricing
Most, but not all, Gundry MD products, can be found on Amazon.com, usually at competitive prices. It appears these offerings are from a third-party seller versus being made available by Gundry.
On the Gundry.com website, the products are offered at a single purchase price, for three, and a bundle of six. The cost per unit declines as the purchased quantity gets larger.
As mentioned earlier, VIP Membership is available with a subscription for Vital Reds, saving you up to 60% off retail. Free shipping, priority handling, exclusive VIP-only offers, additional savings, and coupons are other perks of membership.
Where To Buy Dr. Gundry Supplements
The company website seems to be the best place to buy Bio Complete 3 due to its VIP pricing platform. Although some of the products are available on Amazon, we could not find them on other websites or traditional brick and mortar stores.
In Summary: Dr. Gundry Supplements
The company’s philosophies of manufacturing in cGMP certified facilities, third-party testing, the use of patented, clinically proven ingredients, and the company’s transparency in its packaging, labeling, and marketing are all indicators that Gundry MD is doing business the right way.
