Gundry PrebioThrive is a popular all-natural supplement that contains a combination of prebiotics.
Prebiotics are precursors to probiotics. They help feed and grow healthy gut bacteria, which have been linked to several health benefits including a strong gut, heart and immune system.
Producers of the supplement claim it can help improve digestion and aid in overall health and vitality—but it’s certainly not cheap.
This article explores what PrebioThrive is, the research behind it, what it claims to do and if it’s worth the steep price tag.
What is Gundry PrebioThrive?
Gundry PrebioThrive is a powdered dietary supplement that contains five fiber-dense prebiotic ingredients, including:
- Acacia gum
- Agave inulin
- Flaxseed
- Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)
- Guar gum
One serving contains 30 calories and 7 grams of fiber (about 28% of the recommended daily value).
It’s formulated in the USA and tested for “content, purity, and dosage” at a third party laboratory.
Creator Dr. Steven Gundry recommends starting off your morning by mixing a scoop of PrebioThrive with water or any other beverage or smoothie.
He claims that one scoop a day will help promote digestive health and regularity, and that it’s best taken alongside probiotics (which Gundry also sells).
Summary: Created by Dr. Steven Gundry, PrebioThrive is a powdered dietary supplement that contains five prebiotic ingredients: acacia gum, agave inulin, flaxseed, galacto-oligosaccharides and guar gum.
Who is Dr. Gundry?
Dr. Gundry is a former cardiac surgeon and founder of Gundry MD, a health website and store that sells supplements and skincare products.
His mission for Gundry MD is to promote health, happiness and longevity through nutrition.
In 2002, he founded The Center of Restorative Medicine in Palm Springs, California, where he has researched the prevention and reversal of chronic diseases through diet and nutrition.
He also holds patents on surgical and medical devices used for heart surgery.
But his main focus now is promoting health and wellness through a natural diet and supplements that help boost good gut bacteria.
Along with PrebioThrive, his product line includes foods like olive oil and dark chocolate, probiotics, and herb, vitamin and amino acid blends for liver support, heart defense, digestive support, weight loss and more.
Summary: Dr. Gundry is a former cardiac surgeon and founder of health website and supplement store Gundry MD. His focus is on promoting health and wellness through a natural diet and supplements that help boost good gut bacteria.
What Are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are non-digestible types of fiber that promote growth of probiotics, the beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Good sources of prebiotics include root vegetables (onions, garlic), fruits (apples, bananas), greens, lentils, nuts and whole grains.
Instead of being digested in the stomach, prebiotics work their way to the colon, where they’re fermented and broken down into short-chain fatty acids, like butyrate, acetate and propionate.
These fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and help with gut health and even appetite control (1).
However, most of these benefits don’t seem to be from the prebiotics themselves, but the function they serve in supporting probiotics (2).
PrebioThrive Ingredients
PrebioThrive contains five main ingredients, all prebiotics:
- Acacia gum: This natural gum comes from the acacia tree and is a highly soluble fiber that has been used to lower cholesterol, improve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and promote weight loss (3).
- Agave inulin: This form of dietary fiber comes from the agave plant and has been shown to promote healthy bacteria in the gut (4).
- Flaxseed: These small seeds contain omega-3s as well as soluble and insoluble fiber. They can also support healthy gut bacteria and help lower cholesterol, and contain anti-cancer and antioxidant properties (5, 6).
- Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS): This prebiotic is made up of sugars from dairy products and plants like beans and root vegetables. It’s often used as a sweetener, or to treat a variety of gut conditions, including constipation, IBS and ulcerative colitis (7).
- Guar gum: This highly soluble fiber is extracted from guar beans and acts as a bulk-forming laxative. It’s been shown to stimulate the growth of healthy gut bacteria, and has been used to promote regular bowel movements and treat IBS (8, 9).
PrebioThrive uses all organic ingredients and is free of sugar, soy, lectin and artificial sweeteners. It also contains milk.
Where to Buy PrebioThrive
PrebioThrive is available on the Gundry MD website at these prices:
- 1 Jar (30-day supply): $79
- 3 Jars (90-day supply): $222
- 6 Jars (180-day supply): $414
It can also be found on Amazon, starting at around $45 per jar.
The website also offers a 90-day money back guarantee. However, some unhappy customers have reported difficulties getting their refund.
Summary: PrebioThrive contains five prebiotics: acacia gum, agave inulin, flaxseed, galacto-oligosaccharides and guar gum. Prebiotics are non-digestible types of fiber that promote growth of probiotics, the beneficial bacteria in the gut. PrebioThrive can be purchased on the Gundry MD website or through Amazon.
PrebioThrive Benefits
The Gundry MD website states that PrebioThrive will:
- Improve digestion
- Support energy and vitality
- Help balance healthy gut flora
- Reduce stomach and bowel discomfort
- Strengthen the immune system
According to Gundry, most people don’t get enough prebiotic foods in their diet. PrebioThrive will help you get “prebiotics in the right dosages to effectively make a difference.”
The website also includes over 630 customer reviews, all 3 stars or above, at an average of 4.8 stars. You can submit a review on the website without any proof of purchase.
Here are some of the benefits noted by PrebioThrive customers:
- Better digestion
- Better bowel movements and consistency
- Boost in energy
- Decreased bloating
- Relief from gastric reflux
- Weight loss
- Decreased sugar cravings
Of course, these benefits are all anecdotal. I’ll discuss more of what customers are saying below.
What Does the Research Say?
The Gundry MD website says that their claims are based off scientific research, but I can’t seem to find it.
The website offers citations to studies that show potential health effects for the individual ingredients found in PrebioThrive.
But these are all based off select ingredients, not PrebioThrive’s proprietary combination. No research has been done specifically on the product, and nothing supports Gundry’s claim that one scoop is the right dosage of prebiotics.
Summary: The Gundry MD website states that PrebioThrive can promote a healthy gut flora, improve digestion, boost energy, reduce stomach discomfort and strengthen the immune system. However, no research has been done on the product to back up these claims.
PrebioThrive Side Effects
Gundry MD states that PrebioThrive is 100% safe and is best for “anyone who is not getting sufficient prebiotics in their diet.”
However, some customers disagree. Here are some side effects mentioned in a few reviews online:
- Upset stomach
- Stomach cramps
- Bloating and gas
- Constipation
- Fatigue
Since taking prebiotics will quickly increase the amount of bacteria in the gut, some people may also notice bloating and gas for the first few days.
It’s important to note that the supplement also contains milk. So, if you’re allergic to milk products you may want to avoid PrebioThrive.
This added ingredient is not immediately clear when purchasing, and Dr. Gundry does not warn consumers of this in his statements on the website. As such, some customers have experienced symptoms due to milk allergies or sensitivities.
Another thing to keep in mind is that many prebiotics are high in FODMAPs.
FODMAPs are fibers that ferment in the colon, just like prebiotics. Some people can be sensitive to them, especially those with IBS, and may experience stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and other abdominal discomfort if they eat high-FODMAP foods (10).
That said, prebiotics can still be consumed at a lower amount to promote healthy gut bacteria, which can eventually help these types of symptoms.
In fact, one study found that prebiotic supplementation led to a decrease in gastrointestinal symptoms that persisted two weeks after discontinuing their use. This is compared to patients on a low-FODMAP diet whose symptoms re-appeared immediately after stopping the diet.
The researchers concluded that prebiotics may be an effective alternative to dietary restrictions for some people (11).
However, one concern with PrebioThrive is it’s not clear how much of each prebiotic is contained in a serving, so it’s hard to know an appropriate dosage for you.
Also, every body will react differently to different prebiotics. Some may experience side effects from one or more of the ingredients in PrebioThrive, like gas, bloating, abdominal cramping, nausea or loose stools.
Summary: Though touted as 100% safe, PrebioThrive has caused some side effects in certain customers who’ve noted increased bloating and gas, upset stomach, constipation and fatigue after taking the product. Also, the supplement contains milk, which may lead to discomfort in those who are sensitive to milk products. In general, many prebiotics are high in FODMAPs, so taking a high dosage of them could worsen symptoms for people sensitive to FODMAPs.
PrebioThrive Reviews
There are various sites where customers have reported their experience with PrebioThrive; overall, reviews are mixed.
As mentioned above, the Gundry MD website has over 630 reviews, all with ratings above 3 stars, with an average of 4.8 stars.
Meanwhile, Amazon.com has two separate listings for PrebioThrive with a total of over 300 reviews and an average rating of just 2.8 out of 5 stars.
Another review site, HighYa has almost 400 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 stars. Many reviews mention using other Gundry MD products, like Vital Reds, in unison, so it’s hard to determine what benefits can be attributed to PrebioThrive alone.
Positive reviews mention noticeable improvements in energy, digestion, sleep and bowel health, as well as weight loss and reduced sugar cravings. Here are some examples:
- “This really does make me feel better. I do it every day, and my digestion is much better.”
- “I’ve been doing it for about two weeks and have more energy, clearer thinking and sleep much more soundly.”
- “My waistline is slimmer and I no longer have tummy bloating or swollen ankles and fingers. Yes, I did experience gas at the beginning, but it went away.”
Negative reviews complain of the taste, price, side effects and poor customer service. Here are some examples:
- “After 4 days of taking PrebioThrive, I have very bad abdominal pains, uncomfortable bloating, horrific gas, and get this, constipation! I have not experienced any of these issues before.”
- “Within a few days, I became very sick, experienced abdominal pain and gas so bad it was waking me up at night.”
- “The almost immediate results were constant flatulence and three to four sudden urges each day that I consumed some, resulting in having to rush to the toilet to have a bowel movement. Painful abdominal cramping accompanied these trips to the toilet.”
Summary: Online customer reviews of PrebioThrive are mixed. The Gundry MD website contains no negative reviews, while Amazon.com has several 1- and 2-star reviews. Happy customers note positive effects from the product, including improvements in energy, digestion, bowel health and sleep. Unhappy customers complain of extreme side effects and a bad taste.
Is PrebioThrive Worth Taking?
PrebioThrive contains five different prebiotic ingredients that Dr. Gundry claims will improve digestion and bowel health by promoting a healthy gut flora.
Separately, the product’s ingredients are safe for most people and have shown to better gut health in various studies. But there’s been no research done on PrebioThrive itself or the combination of ingredients it contains.
As with other products on Gundry MD’s website, it receives all positive reviews—there are no 1- or 2-star ratings.
Meanwhile, Amazon.com shows a different story, with several unhappy customers experiencing bad side effects, including abdominal pain, gas, bloating and constipation.
Similar to other “all-natural” supplements, like Gundry’s Vital Reds, PrebioThrive is expensive and sold under loose and unsupported claims.
Gundry also tries to upsell customers by recommending a probiotic to take alongside PrebioThrive for maximum results. This will, of course, further increase your total supplement costs.
In general, prebiotic supplementation may be useful for some people, but you can just as well get a healthy range of prebiotics in your diet.
Eating a variety of prebiotic-rich foods—like root vegetables (onions, garlic), fruits (apples, bananas), greens, lentils, nuts and whole grains—will help promote a healthy and diverse gut microbiome.
It will also provide you with a much wider range of nutrients and save you from dropping a lot of money on a continual routine of supplements.