Prebiothrive
Pros
- Excellent Probiotic
- Good if you have digestive problems
- Reputable company and brand
Cons
- Not ideal for weight loss
- Expensive
PrebioThrive Prebiotic Supplement
PrebioThrive is a prebiotic product that’s intended to encourage healthy digestive action, increase energy, and improve overall health.
Not to be confused with probiotics, which provide desirable bacteria, prebiotics nourish probiotic bacteria and help it to thrive.
Although it’s easily one of the most expensive prebiotic formulations on the market, PrebioThrive has more credibility than many alternatives do.
PrebioThrive is one of a number of health and wellness products marketed by Gundry MD. Vital Reds is arguably their most popular.
The company takes its name from its founder, Dr Stephen Gundry MD. A former cardiac surgeon, Gundry has left the operating theatre behind and is presently on a mission to “dramatically improve human health, happiness, and longevity”.
Apart from developing a range of supplements, Gundry has also turned author and written a number of books including The Plant Paradox Cookbook and Dr Gundry’s Diet Evolution.
His books have been well received and reviews are overwhelmingly good. His range of supplements has also gained a considerable amount of respect.
What Is PrebioThrive and How Does It Work?
Many health and wellness supplements are produced in pill format. Others come in the form of powders or drops that need to be put on or under the tongue.
PrebioThrive is a powder that has to be mixed with water and consumed as a drink. That alone should make it an attractive option to anyone who has a problem swallowing pills.
As with the countless other products of this nature, PrebioThrive provides a combination of ingredients intended to feed the “good bacteria” that occur naturally within the gut.
When the number of good bacteria present in the gut increases, it reduces the number of bad bacteria. This is a good thing because this less desirable type of bacteria harms the health. Among other things, bad bacteria causes inflammation and other gut problems.
Promised Benefits
Although it’s possible to get prebiotic benefits from food, Gundry believes most people’s diets let them down.
Customers who buy and use his PrebioThrive formulation are told it will:
- Improve digestion
- Help maintain energy and vitality
- Assists in balancing good bacteria
Additionally, the gentle, drinkable formula should also help keep the digestive process comfortable
Key Ingredients
Unfortunately, although Grundy MD provides a list of ingredients, the inclusion rates are not supplied. This is very disappointing. Apart from the omission of this important data, the PrebioThrive product information is uncommonly good.
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Blend Potential
On a whole, the ingredient profile looks very good. Obviously, the lack of inclusion rates is an issue because too much of one thing and too little of another can make a big difference to a product’s capabilities.
However, there are no inclusion rates. That’s the way it is. All we can do is take a look at the virtues of the ingredients involved and hope the ratios are good.
Organic Acacia Gum
Also known as gum arabic, acacia gum is extracted from acacia trees. It’s an excellent source of fiber and research confirms the gum also has prebiotic capabilities.
When provided in sufficiently high doses, acacia gum can boost the amount of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the digestive system. Furthermore, its ability to do this appears to be superior to inulin [also included in the formulation]. [SOURCE]
The suggested optimum dose is 10g. A full scoop of PrebioThrive only provides 10 g, and four other ingredients are involved, so the acacia gum content cannot possibly hit that target.
Organic Agave Inulin
Inulin is a starchy compound that consists of naturally-occurring polysaccharides. It’s present in many different types of plants but, more often than not, it’s sourced from chicory.
The digestive system cannot process inulin but its presence in the bowels nourishes the good bacteria in the gut and helps it to multiply. It may help relieve constipation and has been linked to modest weight loss.
The effective dose can vary depending on whether it’s being used to treat constipation, for weight loss, or for an alternative reason. However, all treatments generally involve a dose of 10-30 grams per day. [SOURCE]
Galacto-Oligosaccharides
An ingredient that consists of plant sugars linked together in chains. Natural sources include certain root vegetable, beans, and dairy products.
Galacto-oligosaccharides are good for supporting the growth of good bacteria in the gut, so this is a valid inclusion. Additionally, the ingredient can be an effective treatment for constipation. When used in this role, the dose is normally 5-15 grams per day. [SOURCE]
Organic Flaxseed
Apart from being a good source of dietary fiber, flaxseed also provides omega-3 fatty acids.
Data obtained from a six-week study involving overweight women, suggests flaxseed improves gut bacteria and insulin sensitivity. [SOURCE]
Flaxseed is often included in products intended to promote improvements in digestive health. Additionally, it may also lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. [SOURCE]
Organic Guar Gum
Yet another good source of dietary fiber, guar gums has value as an appetite suppressant. This is largely due to its ability to absorb water in the gut and form a compound that creates a feeling of satiety. [SOURCE]
When partially hydrolyzed with water, guar gum also has prebiotic properties that aid the growth of lactic acid bacteria strains [SOURCE]
Usage Instructions
The powder has to be mixed with water or any suitable beverage and consumed two to three times per day.
Each jar provides 30 servings, so it’s worth bearing in mind the fact that opting for two serving per day instead of one will cause your jar to run dry after just 20 days of use. Go for three servings per day and each jar will only last for 10 days.
To make the drink, add one scoop of powder to your chosen beverage and mix well.
However, having access to a blender may prove to be advantageous. Many customers state the product is hard to mix and is likely to be lumpy if a blender is not used.
It’s also advisable to drink plenty of water while using this product. Guar gum can have a tendency to block the throat and intestines if it is not sufficiently lubricated.
Customer Feedback
Many customers are happy with the product and say it meets their expectations. A lot of the negative reviews mainly center on problems with texture and mixing.
Overall, the number of good reviews appear to outweigh the bad.
A few average comments read:
“PrebioThrive works great. It sorted my gut problems out within a matter of days. No more heartburn. Yipee! I’ve also noticed my sweet tooth is less out of control.”
“This stuff works like a charm. I no longer have a problem with bloating and my bowel movements are more regular now. Seem to have dropped a few pounds too so all’s good.”
“This isn’t for me. It gave me hives, made me feel sick and dizzy and pumped my intestines full of gas. I couldn’t understand why I should suffer such a reaction. Then I read the bottle and saw it contains milk. I can’t tolerate dairy. I would never have bought it if I’d known.”
“Very difficult to mix. I had to give up with a spoon and go get the blender.”
“I’ve suffered from a delicate digestive system all my life. I’m happy to say, Dr Grundy’s product has improved the quality of my life immensely. It’s not cheap but it works and that’s the main thing.”
Side Effects and Health Issues
According to Gundry MD, no side effects have been reported. However, reviews posted on third-party websites suggest side effects cannot be ruled out.
In general, prebiotic supplements tend to be well tolerated by most people. However, a minority of users may experience stomach cramps, flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, and other digestive issues. Fortunately, such reactions are normally restricted to the first few days of use. It’s just a case of allowing time for the digestive system to adjust.
A few customers mention other side effects including hives, dizziness, and nausea. However, in all cases, this was due to lactose intolerance. Although, the PrebioThrive marketing material makes it clear the formulation contains milk, the people in question failed to notice, began using the product, and then suffered allergic reactions.
It’s also worth pointing out the fact that Dr Gundry points out the wisdom of always consulting your doctor before beginning to use any supplement for the first time.
Purchasing Options and Considerations
You can buy PrebioThrive via the Gundry MD website. Alternatively, you can order it via Amazon.com.
Each jar provides 30 servings and first-time customers who buy via the manufacturer’s site can pick up a bottle for just under $50. However, returning customers have to pay the full price. That’s $79 per bottle. If you think that’s expensive, you are right.
Modest bulk-buy discounts are available if you increase your order quantity to three or six jars. However, it’s generally cheaper to buy PrebioThrive via Amazon.com.
Whichever option you choose, Gundry MD never adds additional charges for shipping.
Guarantee
As with all Gundry MD products, customers who buy PrebioThrive are provided with a 90-day money back guarantee.
Summary
Looking at the ingredients the formulation contains, PrebioThrive should be capable of doing the things it’s supposed to do. However, even though the inclusion rates are not provided, based on the fact that each scoop provides 10 g of the formulation, it seems likely that good results will require the use of two to three scoops per day.
PrebioThrive is an expensive product to start with. For many people, the cost of using more than one scoop per day may be prohibitively expensive.
If money is not an issue and you are looking for a good prebiotic product, this one could be a good option.
Acacia, inulin, and galacto-oligosaccharides are good prebiotics that will feed the good bacteria in your gut. Although it is possible you may be one of the people who experience a few initial teething problems, any side effects should not last long.
The formulation also provides dietary fiber, which is always a good thing. The presence of omega-3 fatty acids may provide further health benefits. For some people, PrebioThrive should work well.
The thing to remember is, even high-quality prebiotic products such as this one don’t offer universal benefits. They work best for people who have digestive problems and other health issues that are likely to be due to a profusion of bad bacteria in the gut.
If your gut-friendly bacteria is already on top of the situation, PrebioThrive is not going to do a lot. The matter is already well in hand.
Some people choose prebiotics to use specifically for weight loss. Using prebiotics may help in this regard. However, such supplements are not the best option for anyone mainly interested in losing weight. A good diet pill will offer a superior level of support.
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