Your overall health depends to a great degree on well-balanced gut flora. Gut flora refers to the bacteria that live in your gut. In return for free room, board, and meals, the bacteria keep you in the pink of health, and they do so happily. All they ask of you is that you keep their environment healthy and safe.
It seems like a fair enough ask. However, because we are human and slaves to temptation, we give in to particular desires. As a result, we develop habits like poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and over-exposure to mental and physical stress, and we give up on sleep to finish level 106 of the new MPP game or complete a project you might be working on. These habits wreak havoc on the gut microbiome. You see, the gut flourishes because of a delicate balance that is maintained between the good bacteria and the bad ones. Achieving overall well-being involves having a gut predominantly populated by beneficial bacteria. When the harmful bacteria takeover (dysbiosis), it leads to an excess of problems, the gravest of which is a leaky gut.
A healthy gut lining has tiny spaces between the cells that only allow digested nutrients and water to pass through, trapping everything else within the intestinal walls. When harmful bacteria are abundant in the gut, they secrete endotoxins. These endotoxins eat away at the intestinal barriers, widening the spaces between the cells. This allows for larger molecules to pass into the bloodstream – the endotoxins themselves, undigested food, bacteria, and other unsavory things. Once these molecules are in the blood, they reach all corners of the body and give rise to inflammation. Over time, this leads to chronic conditions like obesity, arthritis, and type 2 diabetes.
Long story short, if you want to lead a healthy and happy life, healthy gut bacteria are what you need.
What To Look Out For?
Leaky gut syndrome does not happen overnight and it is not an infection. It is a condition that can and needs to be rectified. Unfortunately, leaky gut lacks creativity and shares symptomology with several other conditions that make diagnosis a pain. Many in the medical field do not recognize leaky gut as a medical issue at all. But if you suffer from the following symptoms, regardless of what you call it, you have a problem.
- Constant fatigue and a lack of energy and/or motivation
- Headaches
- Brain fog, confusion, and/or the inability to concentrate
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Skin problems – breakouts, acne, or eczema
- Joint pains
- Inflammation in various parts of the body
Research is still in progress but many schools of thought are trying to establish a link between gut microbiota and autism.
In most cases, poor nutrition, alcohol consumption, and stress are to blame. And correcting these habits would slowly help to correct the balance in the digestive system. Leaky gut repair becomes difficult when the causes for it are identified as autoimmune disorders, infections, or diabetes. Prescription medication can help with the symptoms, but when trying to repair a leaky gut in the long run, you need a lifestyle overhaul and leaky gut supplements.
There are several leaky gut supplement brands in the market, and there are combinations and concoctions of botanicals, beneficial bacteria, and dietary fiber. Ideally, a good leaky gut supplement must
- Restore balance in the digestive system by replenishing the number of good bacteria.
- Introduce elements that can fix the digestive tract and promote intestinal wall integrity.
- Promote richer gut flora by introducing a diversity of probiotic strains, and
- Provide nutrition for the good bacteria in the gut.
Out of the many gut health supplements, Gundry MD Total Restore and Primal Gut Restore are two that claim to bolster the immune system, provide healthy bacteria, support gut barrier health, and ensure a healthy gut microbiome. That is quite impressive. If you are looking for the best leaky gut supplements, then we are going to help you find them. We compare Total Restore and Primal Gut Restore to check if they are worth the time and money you invest in them.
Gundry MD Total Restore & Primal Harvest Primal Gut Restore
Total Restore
Let’s begin with Gundry MD Total Restore. Formulated by Dr. Steven Gundry, Total Restore comes from the good doctor’s intention to improve overall health through diet and nutrition. Total Restore is a gut supplement designed to combat leaky gut. This formula uses natural ingredients that are used for their properties to relieve leaky gut symptoms and the inflammation that follows them. The dietary supplement promises to support gut health as Gundry MD as a brand believes that promoting gut health would result in overall body well-being, energy levels, and weight as well. This gut supplement intends to reduce the intestinal permeability that is brought on by unhealthy lifestyle habits.
With 3 capsules taken daily, Total Restore is intended to relieve you of bloating, brain fog, and weight gain and promote whole-body health.
Primal Gut Restore
Primal Gut Restore comes to you from Primal Harvest – a dietary supplement brand that promotes healthy living through vitamins, collagen capsules, and natural herbs. Primal Harvest believes that by living the way our ancestors did – living off the land, the body is a lot healthier. To put that theory in motion, Primal Gut Restore is designed to improve digestion and boost energy. It also uses a proprietary ingredient that is designed to support the intestinal barrier. It uses a combination of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to improve gut health and regularity. Postbiotics are short-chain fatty acids that are usually produced by healthy bacteria in the gut. Primal Gut Restore introduces them as an ingredient to support colon health.
All you have to do is take 2 capsules with your morning or afternoon meal, and you are all set.
What Benefits Can You Expect with These Leaky Gut Supplements?
You know what you want from a gut health supplement. Does Total Restore and Primal Gut Restore deliver? Both claims to use key gut-supporting elements to restore normal and healthy gut barrier function, which in turn will support human health.
| Total Restore | Primal Gut Restore | |
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If you take a closer look at the benefits, you will notice that Total Restore seems to concern itself more with the symptoms of leaky gut syndrome rather than the cause of the problems. In that regard, Primal Gut Restore seems to be doing a better job of correcting the condition. However, it remains to be seen if the gut supplements deliver on these claims. To check that, the ingredients need a closer look.
The Total Restore & Primal Gut Restore Formulae
Gundry MD Total Restore uses several natural ingredients, all projected to improve digestive health. These components include:
Magnesium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate:
This ketone body is used by the body to produce energy when there are no carbs to burn as fuel. Magnesium is needed for several biochemical transactions in the body but it does not affect gut health or leaky gut syndrome.
Zinc L-Carnosine:
Vital for smell, taste, and several key biological processes, zinc can improve leaky gut syndrome symptoms by maintaining the integrity of the gut lining. It is also said to retain gut microbiome balance.
L-Glutamine:
This amino acid is needed for protein synthesis in the body. Glutamine is also needed for the intestinal barrier to function and maintain the mucosal lining that protects the gut wall and reduces permeability.
N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine:
Total Restore employs NADG as an agent to block lectins from reacting with the digestive tract. NADG is often prescribed to those who suffer from IBS, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease. Moreover, it seems to have a healing effect on the gut wall.
Grape Seed Extract:
Rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, grapeseed oil can curb the growth of harmful bacteria, control high blood pressure, promote bone strength, and protect the kidneys. It may also help with brain fog.
Licorice Powder:
Traditionally used as an antacid and for the promotion of digestive health, licorice root can stop bacteria from causing peptic ulcers and maintain a healthy digestive tract. Apart from that, it does nothing for the microbiome.
Wormwood Powder:
The addition of wormwood to this leaky gut supplement is not clear. Wormwood is used as an adaptogen for pain relief and may help with joint pain. But for the gut, it does not help at all.
Cinnamon Powder:
Capable of controlling blood sugar levels, gas, and tummy aches, cinnamon helps support healthy digestion and stop the multiplying of bad bacteria.
Maitake Mushroom Extract:
Because maitake mushrooms can promote the healing of lesions, it is a possibility that maitake can reduce permeability in the gut wall and promote gut flora balance. However, this is only an assumption.
VitaBerry®:
Like wormwood, the addition of VitaBerry® is not clear. It provides a little fiber content and has other benefits for the body but for gut health, there is little to no contribution.
Cloves Buds Powder:
This spice is great for digestive health and can help with gas, bloating, and acidity. Cloves are also capable of improving the release of digestive enzymes, which would aid the digestion process.
Black Pepper:
This thermogenic agent can improve nutrient absorption, clear the bowels, ease constipation, aid digestion, and reduce instances of stomach cramps that result from bad digestive health.
Grapefruit Seeds Powder:
Grapefruit is a great low-calorie addition to the diet as it can ease symptoms of IBS, flatulence, and IBD. Apart, it doesn’t have that much of an impact on the gut.
Marshmallow Root Powder:
Daily consumption of marshmallow root can act as a preventive against gut health issues. It can coat the mucous lining with a protective layer, which reduces inflammation and ulcers and supports healthy bowel movements.
Berberine Powder:
The only gut-related benefit that berberine has is that it can stop the multiplication of bad bacteria in the gut. It can influence human health in several other ways, though.
You would find a vital component missing, though – probiotics. Gundry MD Total Restore does not include any probiotic strain that could either replenish the good bacteria numbers or help improve diversity in the gut flora. This is quite a big miss. Without probiotics to restore balance in the gut microbiota, all Total Restore can do is help reduce the severity of the symptoms of a leaky gut. However, without the actual remedy to the underlying problem, this gut health supplement cannot fix the intestinal barrier, only mask the damage to it. Once you stop the use of the supplement, chances are that the symptoms will only persist. Also, there are a few components that seem to have little or no effect on gut health at all. The reason for their being added to the Total Restore formula is uncertain, and it makes one wonder if the supplement has any real effect on the gut at all.
Primal Gut Restore formula has taken a simplistic approach to gut health and has included only a minimum of ingredients. Called the complete gut health formula, Primal Gut Restore includes:
CoreBiome® Tributyrin:
This is a patent-pending postbiotic, and it is a supplement to itself. Tributyrin is the most bioavailable short-chain fatty acid, and it has several implications for gut health, all of which are positive. Many leaky gut supplements do not include this, as butyric acid is a normal byproduct of the probiotics in the gut. Primal Gut Restore includes it to keep the gut flora healthy, boost immune functions, compensate for a poor diet, and keep leaky gut syndrome at bay.
Xylooligosaccharides:
This prebiotic fiber feeds the healthy gut bacteria and promotes growth and health while preventing harmful microbes from creating colonies in the gut.
B. Longum BB536® – 3 billion CFUs:
This probiotic strain can effectively reduce inflammation and support the immune system. It also helps to support the gut wall and reduce permeability, putting a stop to leaky gut symptoms.
Primal Gut Restore provides a vital ingredient for every aspect of a gut health supplement. And that’s about it. It is a half-hearted attempt at the most. The bare minimum inclusion of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics may change the environment in the gut microbiota. Still, it would take a very long time for any definitive improvements to be seen. As long as you continue taking Primal Gut Restore, the postbiotics may support immune health, but once you stop, immune function may suffer. 3 billion CFUs is not an impressive enough number of probiotics to provide complete gut support. Neither Total Restore nor Prima Gut Restore seems to do a good job to promote digestive health. So, are there other options?
From the preceding information, you might remember a compilation of the essential benefits that a high-quality leaky gut supplement should offer. There are better gut health supplements that check all those boxes and won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Two such leaky gut supplements are Gut+ and Biotics 8. When compared to the options above, the latter two seem like they could restore gut health quicker, better, and in the long run.
The Better Options: Gut+ from YourBiology & Biotics 8
#1 – Gut+ for Women
Gut+ is brought to you by YourBiology a brand brought to us by the Wolfson Brands (UK) Limited. This gut health supplement is designed to not only provide the prebiotics and probiotics to correct leaky gut syndrome, but the supplement includes a system that guarantees that the goods make it to the intestines. Rated as one of the best leaky gut supplements available today, it is easy to see why it has been ranked as such. While most leaky gut supplements simply throw random botanicals and a few probiotic strains together, Gut+ includes only the most beneficial and diverse probiotics. In addition, it provides the nutrition that the gut bacteria need to survive and ensures survival by providing a bypass system that keeps the payload in each capsule safe from digestive enzymes. All you have to do is take 3 capsules first thing in the morning. Gut+ will do the rest.
By doing so, Gut+ ensures better digestion, smoother bowel movements, enhanced energy, more focus, and stronger natural immune responses, and is no longer tied down by stress. You see, these benefits are not because of Gut+ ingredients. The benefits are direct consequences of a healthy gut and a stronger and protected gut lining. The question arises as to how this gut supplement can achieve so much. Simple – with the right formula, that’s how. Gut+ includes four strong probiotic strains, each of which delivers not just gut health and balance but other benefits, too.
- Lactobacillus acidophilus provides protection from harmful bacterial colonies and protects the gut lining.
- Lactobacillus Plantarum helps with cognitive issues and cardiovascular issues and reduces inflammation, which may cause obesity, diabetes, and liver disorders.
- Lactobacillus paracasei prevents the wear and tear of the protective mucosal lining in the intestinal wall, fortifies the immune system, and is especially good for allergies, osteoporosis, and fat accumulation.
- Bifidobacterium lactis closes the spaces in the gut lining and encourages better nutrient absorption.
- Fructooligosaccharides are the prebiotic fiber that the bacteria feed on, nourishing them and helping them multiply. The presence of fiber also means that you will experience better and smoother bowel movements.
- Maktrek® Marine Polysaccharide Complex is a seaweed extract that protects the contents of each capsule from digestive enzymes. It provides the bacteria with a 250 times greater survival rate.
For more info on Gut+ and how it can nourish your gut to thrive every day, visit here!
#2 – Biotics 8 for Men
Biotics 8 also from Wolfson Brands is a gut health supplement designed for men. The product is designed to improve digestion, provide immune support, promote gut health, and boost energy levels. Biotics 8 understands that every individual is unique, so it suggests a unique dosage system to let the body decide how much it needs and adjust to high dosages. Biotics 8 claims to enhance digestive health by using 10 strains of good bacteria to balance the gut microbiome and ease the digestive process. The bacterial strains Biotics 8 includes are added to improve nutrient absorption and increase energy production. If you are a man and lead a physically active life, Biotics 8 is the leaky gut supplement for you. You choose how much you wish to take – you can start slow with 1 capsule a day for a few days and then work your way up to 3 a day if you want quicker and better results.
Biotics 8 keeps things simple and does promise you great things. What it does is claim to help you get what you expect from a gut health supplement. Once you begin to use it, you will experience a healthier immune system, enhanced nutrient absorption, a smother bowel movements, easier digestion, raised testosterone levels, and a particular increase in energy and focus. This supplement includes lactobacillus acidophilus, paracasei, and Plantarum like Gut+ but includes 7 others.
- Saccharomyces Boulardii protects the colon and helps put a stop to diarrhea. Some studies suggest it may improve stamina.
- Lactobacillus casei directly influences the production and release of serotonin, which helps to improve mood and motivation.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus helps to seal the gut lining, helping to improve leaky gut syndrome and IBS symptoms.
- Lactobacillus fermentum can dial back anxiety, provide immune support, and reduce inflammation.
- Bifidobacterium longum – as discussed above.
- Bifidobacterium breve can settle the stomach, restore gut balance, and improve muscle-to-fat ratio in the body.
- Bifidobacterium bifidum is usually prescribed to reduce IBS symptom severity and eliminate gas, bloating, and heartburn.
- Digestive enzymes lipase, amylase, and protease are added to the mix for quicker and optimum digestion.
- Chicory root fiber acts as a prebiotic for the bacteria.
- Vitamin D is said to improve testosterone production and bone strength and support a healthy immune system.
Even with such a brief account of what Gut+ and Biotics 8 are capable of, they seem to toss Total Restore and Primal Gut Restore out of the park.
Read more about Biotics 8 and how the power of a healthy gut can transform your life.
Where Can You Find These Gut Health Supplements?
The easiest way to pick up these supplements is to buy them online. This way, you will have access to the original product, and it will be easier to deal with returns, refunds, and queries.
Buy Gundry MD Total Restore
To buy Gundry MD Total Restore, you visit Amazon or its official site.
- A single bottle, which is a month’s supply, would cost you $69.95.
- More discount offers and packages are available on the official site. Shipping is free for orders over $49. Should you be unhappy with the product, Gundry MD provides you with a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Buy Primal Gut Restore
You should choose Primal Gut Restore from Amazon, Walmart, or its Official forum.
- A 1-month bottle would cost you $49.95.
- You also have a subscription option, which would translate to better savings and free shipping. Primal Harvest also provides a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Buy Yourbiology Gut+
For Gut+, click here to visit the Yourbiology Official Website.
- A single bottle would cost you $64.99, and savings and free bottles are available with larger purchases.
- Free shipping is given to all orders, and you are also given a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Buy Biotics
- A single bottle of Biotics would cost $64.99, and it could be bought at the Official Biotics 8 Website.
- Savings and free bottles are given for larger purchases, and shipping is free regardless of the size of your order.
- Biotics 8 also provides a 60-day money-back guarantee.
FAQs
Q1. Are these gut supplements habit-forming?
Ans.: No. The leaky gut supplements mentioned above do not contain any compounds that cause addictions. They are natural, safe, and have legal ingredients designed to aid digestive and immune function.
Q2. Can these products be used by all?
Ans.: Ideally, yes, they can. Because these are natural dietary supplements, they can be used by all. However, Total Restore cannot be used by those who suffer from shellfish allergies as NADG is derived from the shells of crustaceans. NADG is also notorious for causing drug interactions. Primal Gut Restore is not recommended for those with a compromised or weak immune system. Gut+ and Biotics 8 have no such restrictions. Just to be safe, though, do consult your physician before you begin the use of any of these supplements.
Q3. How soon can you expect results?
Ans.: Results depend on genetics, health, degree of damage to the digestive system, and lifestyle of the user. A minimum of 2 months is needed to see results. However, some symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation may stop within a month.
Q4. Are they effective?
Ans.: Of the four gut supplements discussed here, Gut+ and Biotics 8 do seem like the ones that work. Total Restore and Primal Gut Restore do not carry the probiotics strains nor the prebiotics required to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
A Quick Recap
There is quite a lot of information to digest. To simplify and summarize, here is a recap of all the information we have so far.
| Total Restore | Primal Gut Restore | Gut+ | Biotics 8 | |
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| Benefits |
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| Pros |
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| Cons | Many do not see the results May interact with prescription medication Pricey product Allergen warning | Uses bare minimum ingredients Includes only 1 probiotic strain Cannot be used by those who have weak immunity | It may cause nausea or gas, but this clears up with use. Gut+ is available only on the Yourbiology official website. | It may cause nausea or gas, but this clears up with use. Biotics 8 is available only on its official website. |
| Probiotics | None present | Includes 1 probiotic strain only | 4 beneficial probiotic strains | 10 beneficial probiotic strains |
| CFUs | No feature | 3 billion CFUs | 20 billion CFUs | 20 billion CFUs |
| Prebiotics | Very small inclusion | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dosage | 3 capsules a day | 2 capsules a day | 3 capsules a day | 3 capsules a day |
| Cost | $69.95 | $49.95 | $64.99 per bottle | $64.99 per bottle |
Summary & Verdict
The overall well-being of the human body depends on the gut. To keep the gut healthy, one must keep the gut microbiome balanced, nourished, and diverse. Because of unhealthy lifestyle habits, this is a condition we cannot usually maintain, leading to leaky gut syndrome. It is critical that one take corrective and preventive action to ensure digestive health and intestinal integrity.
Gundry MD Total Restore and Primal Harvest Gut Restore are two leaky gut supplements that claim to help the gut recover from gas, bloating, and other digestive issues. In addition to that, they also claim to support immune function and increase energy levels. These benefits are not because of the supplements per se but the result of a healthy microbiome. However, a closer look reveals that these leaky gut supplements don’t really deliver. This is mostly because of the components they use and the dosages they feature in.
Gut+ and Biotics 8 are two gut supplements that seem to be better capable of correcting gut issues. They contain beneficial probiotic strains and prebiotic fiber intended exclusively to reset the gut balance. When looking for the best leaky gut supplements, the latter are better options and worth the time and money you invest in them.
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