Your gut is a lot more than just some hollow organs; it is home to billions of microorganisms. Fungi, viruses, yeasts, and bacteria all reside in your digestive system. But they don’t live there for free. These tiny beings have a symbiotic relationship with your body. You provide a warm and cozy home and plenty of nourishment, and they do a stellar job with the immune system, nutrient absorption, regulate the production of neurotransmitters, influence energy production, and even affect the way the brain functions and supports mental health. They have the raw end of the deal because they have so much to do; they do more for the body than you consciously do.
However, the gut microbiome is not a static ecosystem; it is constantly in motion. The volatility of gut microbiota is based on the activity of the bacteria that live there. Bacteria are like Marvel movies – you have the superheroes (beneficial bacteria) and the evil alien villains (harmful bacteria). These two factions are engaged in a constant battle for supremacy. It would make for a very boring movie, but it is this battle that governs your health and what paves the way to various health concerns. When beneficial microorganisms reign, there is peace, harmony, and a healthy gut lining. Sometimes, because of the absence of a healthy diet, stress, or a sedentary lifestyle, the harmful microbes grow in numbers. This is called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can set itself right on its own if you are careful. However, if the condition is left to set alone, it could be the beginning of a very rough journey.
The signs are predictable: diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, skin breakouts, fatigue, and you would be in a terrible mood. When dysbiosis is still left unchecked, it could lead to a leaky gut syndrome, which is the base for chronic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Since gut health is the precursor of the general welfare, it would be wise to support optimal gut health. There are several ways to do that – switching to a healthier diet, getting physically active, going to bed on time, and trying to cut stress out. There is an easier way, too. Dietary supplements that are designed to restore digestive health. Also known as gut health supplements or probiotic supplements, these products can help to restore balance in the gut microbiome. However, not all supplements are built alike; there are good ones and great ones.
To help you sort them out, here is a comparison of two such dietary supplements. Let’s see if they are:
(a) Capable of restoring gut health and
(b) If they are worth the time and effort you invest in them.
Gundry MD Bio Complete 3 v/s Gundry MD Lectin Shield
Gundry MD Bio Complete
Gundry MD is a dietary supplement brand that was founded by doctor Stephen Gundry, who was a physician for over 30 years. All products in the Gundry catalog are physician-formulated and clinically tested in-house. The products from this brand include everything from various scientific literature to dog food. Many brands have several products that showcase a certain theme, like multivitamins brands with products for different age groups. Gundry MD follows a similar pattern with gut health supplements. It has several options at your disposal, which does raise the question, why not just have one good product? In answer to this, Dr. Gundry claims that bodies are different and what works for one may not work for another – therefore, the multiplicity of formulations.
Bio Complete 3
Bio Complete 3 is so named because it features only 3 active ingredients. This digestive health supplement is designed to improve digestive tract health, ease weight management and raise energy levels. It also mentions that it could help with junk food cravings. Bio Complete 3 follows a three-pronged approach to digestive health.
- The dietary supplement increases the number of healthy probiotics which helps to restore balance in the gut microbiome
- It adds dietary fiber which provides nutrition for the good gut bacteria so that they can thrive.
- It also adds ‘postbiotics,’ such as butyrate which reinforces the human microbiome.
As far as claims go, this is pretty impressive. Bio Complete 3 is also suggested to be used for gut cleanses in case you are looking for a fresh start to gut health.
How to use Bio Complete 3?
Take 2 capsules once a day before meals.
Gundry MD Lectin Shield
Lectin Shield another gut supplement by the Gundry MD. It protects the gut lining from harmful lectins. Lectins are present in almost every plant-based food known to man. It is a natural defense mechanism that plants use to survive and protect themselves from insect or animal attacks. Lectin foods are consumed every day by everyone without the knowledge that lectins cause harm and slowly eat away at the digestive tract. According to Dr. Gundry, it is these harmful lectins that eat away at the intestinal wall which ultimately results in leaky gut syndrome.
Lectin Shield uses lectin blockers that stop dietary lectins from affecting the digestive system and can safely pass through. This would boost gut health and reestablish a healthy gut microbiome. The product promises healthier bowel movements and weight management.
How to use Lectin Shield?
Take 2 capsules twice a day, along with two of your biggest meals of the day.
Both products use safe and natural ingredients.
What Can You Expect from These Leaky Gut Supplements?
Both products come to you from the same brand so, there would be some overlap or similarity between the health benefits they claim.
Bio Complete 3 claims to:
- Slim down your waistline thus aiding weight loss
- Ensure smooth and quick digestion
- Regular and easier bowel movements
- A curb on cravings
- Enhanced energy levels
The health benefits of using Lectin Shield include:
- Regular and comfortable digestion
- Controlled cravings
- Relief from joint pains
- Protection for the intestinal walls.
These benefits are in addition to maintaining overall gut health, freedom from digestive diseases, and nourishing the gut lining.
Whether these claims can be delivered by these Gundry MD products remains to be seen. You can get a fairly good idea by taking a closer look at the ingredients. Let’s do that now.
The Formulae
Both Gundry MD products are natural dietary supplements. This means that they use ingredients that naturally occur in nature or in the body.
The Bio Complete 3 Formula
As mentioned earlier, this probiotic supplement uses just 3 ingredients. There are others but they are more for preserving the integrity of the product. The three active ingredients are:
- CoreBiome® (Tributyrin) is a short-chain fatty acid that releases butyrate – a chemical release that probiotics release after feeding on prebiotic fiber. CoreBiome® is a tradename for the patented version of the same and is known to have several health benefits. Known to improve residential conditions for healthy bacteria, butyrate can improve overall gut health and improve protein digestion.
- SunFiber® is a trademarked source of prebiotics. In addition to improving gut health and relieving symptoms of diarrhea and constipation, it can also boost heart health and keep cholesterol levels in check.
- Bacillus Coagulans (ProDura®) is a lactic acid-forming bacteria that supports the respiratory and immune systems. It is also known to help with travelers’ diarrhea, stomach upsets, and constipation. It may help with the repair of the gut wall and restoration of balance in the gut microbiome.
The Lectin Shield Formula
This Gundry MD supplement uses a wider variety of ingredients – some familiar and some obscure. Dr. Gundry believes that a lectin-free diet is ideal but that would severely restrict diet options. To remedy this, he uses a large army of natural elements to counter the effect that lectins unleash on the gut wall. These elements include:
- N-acetyl D-Glucosamine is an amino acid derived from shellfish. NADG is known to support digestive health, provide relief from joint pain, reduce inflammation, and promote intestinal health. Lectin Shield employs it to protect the intestinal wall from lectins.
- Bladderwrack from the kelp family is an alternate remedy for GERD and reduces the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It also promotes overall general health.
- D-Mannose is central to kidney, liver, and blood health and is a lectin itself. Having antioxidant andlectin-blacking properties, D-Mannose supports the immune system, too.
- Okra (Fruit) is rich in polysaccharides that bind themselves to lectins. This deems the lectins harmless. It also has anti-bacterial properties but is limitedly so. There is some dietary fiber that may add to the prebiotic content.
- Mucin is derived from animal tissue and the texture is slimy to the touch, known as sialic acid. The texture of the acid helps to block lectins from interacting with the gut wall, and it also boosts collagen production.
- Sodium Alginate is used as an industrial thickening agent and is derived from brown algae. Used sometimes for dyspepsia and heartburn, it assists in weight loss efforts and stops digestive enzymes from damaging the intestinal wall. However, there is no clinical evidence that it stops lectin damage.
- Vegetable Peptase is used for joint pain relief and is shown to curb the effect of lectins in the digestive tract. The enzyme also assists in the breaking down of harmful proteins.
- Methylsulfonylmethane or MSM is a dietary supplement on its own and is used as a wholesome medicine for joint pain and allergic reactions, reducing inflammation and bolstering the immune system.
- Larch Arabinogalactan is similar to plant starch that acts as prebiotic fiber, which provides nutrition for good gut bacteria and helps to bulk bowel movements. It also increases levels of butyrate, which improves digestive tract health.
The ingredients used by both Gundry MD products are underwhelming, to say the least. Why that is, we shall get to in a bit. Needless to say, both products are rather restrictive in terms of their ability to support digestive health and help with digestive issues.
Where and How Can You Buy These Supplements?
The smartest way to purchase these products would be to do so from the official website. This would make repeat purchases easier; you would have access to several buying options, and in case you are dissatisfied with the products, refunds would not be so much of a nightmare.
Gundry MD Bio Complete 3 is also available on several online markets, and you can find them at your local drugstore as well.
- One bottle would set you back $69.95.
- If you choose to buy three bottles at once, the cost would fall to $188.85.
- And for six bottles, the price is $353.70.
The more you buy, the greater the savings.
- One bottle of Lectin Shield would cost $79.95.
- Most Lectin Shield users opt for the bulk options of either three bottles for $224.85 or six bottles for $419.70.
You have the choice of opening a Gundry MD account, and if you do, the price of both products falls to $49.95. Free shipping is available on all orders over $49, which both products qualify for. Should you be unhappy with your purchase, Gundry MD offers you a 90-day money-back guarantee. Wherein you will be refunded the purchase price of your products minus shipping and handling fees, if any.
What’s the Take on Bio Complete 3 & Lectin Shield?
The attempt to restore a healthy digestive system is commendable. Both Bio Complete 3 and Lectin Shield can help reinstate a healthy balance in the gut, but only to a certain extent. And here is why.
Verdict on Bio Complete 3
Let’s begin with Bio Complete 3. The idea behind the product makes sense – a healthy gut lining results from probiotics, prebiotics, and butyrate – post-biotics. However, the attempt though is a weak one. As much as a supplement may try, it cannot fulfill the prebiotic requirements on its own; you would need a diet to support it, and no dietary restrictions or changes are suggested by the brand. The only probiotic is Bacillus coagulans. It is nearly impossible for one strain of probiotics to restore intestinal health. The consensus in medical associations worldwide is that the more diverse the healthy bacteria in the gut, the better gut health is. Adding just one strain of bacteria is quite a letdown. Besides, the number of CFUs is not cited either. Tributyrin is the star of the product, and it is a novel idea. However, there isn’t enough research to back the claims that Gundry MD makes of the potential health benefits.
Reviews for Bio Compete 3 are mixed; more towards the negative, though. Most comments revolve around the price and how the Gundry MD product is expensive if one is looking for long-term use. Some reviews state that the supplement did nothing for them. At the cost of the supplement, having no effect at all is a failure.
Verdict on Lectin Shield
Moving onto Lectin Shield. Lectin foods include almost every food known to the civilized world. Lectins are not as evil as Dr. Gundry leads us to believe. There is no denying that they are harmful proteins, but they can be neutralized through cooking. Besides, if one were to try to avoid lectin foods, more than half of plant-based foods would be out of the edible range. If one follows the logic of Lectin Shield, cultures that survive on vegetarian cuisines would have perished centuries ago. Lectin Shield is based on the theory that all digestive issues stem from lectins, and gut bacteria have a minimal role. This is false. The biggest drawback of Lectin Shiel is perhaps the fact that it ignores probiotics and their importance. There are negligible amounts of prebiotic and no probiotic strain included. Leaky gut syndrome or any gut issues cannot be rectified by avoiding lectins or protecting the gut lining only.
The Gundry MD website features positive reviews, but everywhere else, there is a different story being told. Not many are happy with the supplement. Like Bio Complete 3, most comments surround the price of the product, and others center around the lack of effect the product has at all. Lectin Shield is another failure.
On the whole, the Gundry MD products, as far as the gut health supplements are concerned, miss the mark.
Considering that human health is largely based on the well-being of the gut, you still need a dietary supplement that promotes digestive health. The Gundry MD products are not the best options out there, so what are you left with? Better products! And we have them for you.
The Better Alternatives to Gundry MD’s Bio Complete 3 and Lectin Shield: YourBiology’s Gut+ & Biotics 8
You get numerous health benefits from a healthy gut like a robust immune system, better cognitive function, better nutrition absorption, and a boost in digestion and metabolism. What gives you these benefits is a combination of beneficial gut bacteria and a strong digestive system. Improving digestive health would take a healthy diet, proper exercise, and a lifestyle overhaul. Or you could simply opt for a probiotic supplement that works.
Gut+ from YourBiology
Gut+ from YourBiology is a probiotic supplement that works on a tangent compared to the Gundry MD products. Gut+ is designed to replenish the number of healthy bacteria, which would then make it easier for the body to flush out harmful bacteria. To do so, Gut+ employs the use of 4 potent strains of bacteria and prebiotic fiber. Gut+ also has a unique feature. With the use of a particular ingredient, Gut+ ensures that the probiotic payload actually reaches the gut. Not many supplements can boast of such a feature. Gut+ promises a 250 times better chance of survival for the probiotic content, meaning that the supplement can actually make a difference. With the Gut+ supplement, you should be able to see:
- An increase in serotonin levels perks you up and provides stress relief
- Overall improvement in digestion and bowel movements
- Good riddance to gas, bloating, and feelings of heaviness
- Enhanced focus and energy levels
- A much stronger immune system
- Skin quality improves.
Every pill of Gut+ delivers lactobacillus acidophilus for a reduction in irritable bowel syndrome symptoms; bifidobacterium lactis to close the spaces in the gut wall and to improve nutrient absorption, lactobacillus plantarum to stop gas, bloating, and stomach cramps from ruining your day, and lactobacillus paracasei to check on the inflammatory response, boost skin health and support the immune system. In addition, you also get a helping of fructooligosaccharide to nourish the bacteria and maktrek® marine polysaccharide complex, which ensures that the probiotics actually survive the digestive enzymes and reach the intestines.
With just 2 capsules a day, you would begin to feel positive results in as little as 7 days. User reviews are rave, and all mention feeling so much better than before. Gut+ can be bought from the Official YourBiology Official Website, where:
- A month’s supply would cost you $64.99.
- The more you buy, the more you save, though. Such as a 3-month supply would cost $129.99, and a 5-month supply falls to $194.99.
Gut+ also offers you a 60-day money-back guarantee in case the supplement is not what you expected it to be.
Biotics 8
Biotics 8 is another probiotic supplement, but it has a twist – it is designed and intended exclusively for men. Formulated to work with those who wish to improve athletic performance. Biotics 8 also influences testosterone levels, which improve anabolic gains while improving gut health in the process. Biotics 8 aims to improve the gut-brain axis. The hypothesis states that gut health heavily influences the brain and cognitive activity. A lot of medical researchers are beginning to believe this to be a fact. And Biotics 8 has caught onto this ongoing study. With a dose of 3 capsules once a day, you would experience:
- Improved digestion and elimination
- An improvement in weight loss efforts
- Increased testosterone levels
- A boost in muscle mass growth
- Better mood, motivation, and energy
- Enhanced mental endurance and focus
- Fortified immunity.
Biotics 8 has a fuller list of ingredients because it has more responsibilities to fulfill. You would find Saccharomyces Boulardii, which improves colon inflammation and prevents diarrhea, Lactobacillus casei to improve serotonin levels, Lactobacillus rhamnosus to close the spaces in the gut lining, Lactobacillus fermentum to reduce anxiety and inflammation, Bifidobacterium longum for immune support and freedom from stomach issues, for fat loss and muscle building, Bifidobacterium bifidum for to reduce the severity of IBS, SIBO and IBD, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus paracasei support gut health by promoting a balanced microbiome and aiding in digestion.
The supplement also includes Digestive Enzymes, which help with the proper breakdown of food, Chicory root fiber to provide nourishment for the bacteria, and Vitamin D, which helps to boost testosterone levels.
You can buy Biotics 8 at its Official Website, and a bottle should last you an entire month.
- The cost of one single bottle is $64.99.
- The cost of three bottles is $129.99.
- And the cost of five bottles is $194.99.
Like Gut+, Biotics 8 also offers you a 60-day money-back guarantee, which lets you change your mind whenever you wish.
To get a better idea of how markedly different the four products are, here is a side-by-side comparison. This would make it easier for you to make an informed decision.
| Gundry MD Bio Complete 3 | Gundry MD Lectin Shield | YourBiology Gut+ | Biotics 8 | |
| Benefits Claimed |
|
|
|
|
| Pros |
|
|
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
|
|
| Purpose | To support a healthy gut lining, | To prevent lectin damage to the digestive tract. | To re-establish gut balance and improve digestion & immunity. | For men who wish to restore gut balance and improve testosterone levels. |
| Bacterial Strains | 1 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| CFUs | Not mentioned | 0 | 40 billion | 20 million |
| Dosage | 2 capsules once a day | 2 capsules twice every day | 1 capsule twice a day | 3 capsules a day |
| Price | $69.95 | $79.95 | $64.99 | $64.99 |
| Refund Policy | 90-day refund policy | 90-day refund policy | 60-day money-back guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Where to Buy? | Buy Bio Complete 3 from the Official Gundry Website or other authorized sellers. | Buy Lectin Shield from the Official Gundry Website or other authorized sellers. | Click to Buy Gut+ from the Official YourBiology Website. | Click to Buy Biotics 8 from its Official Website. |
Summary & Verdict
Gundry MD is a supplement brand that manufactures dietary supplements for everyday human health. Bio Complete 3 and Lectin Shield are two supplements designed to repair and protect the digestive tract. However, upon closer investigation, it was found that both Gundry MD products have failed to show much promise. The most they could do is suppress unhealthy cravings and maybe eliminate stomach pain, gas, and bloating. However, as a long-term solution to gastrointestinal disorders, Gundry MD products are ineffective.
Instead, we would suggest Gut+ from YourBiology and Biotics 8 for men. These supplements are better equipped with probiotics and prebiotics to better handle intestinal distress and show some improvement. The latter products can bring about a major change to overall human health because they can change the environment in the gut. They could also help you lose weight. Gut+ for women and Biotics 8 for men are what we recommend.
Table of Contents