CoreBiome (Standardized To 30% Tributyrin) - 1,000 MG
CoreBiome is a patented version of the short chain fatty acids known as butyrate.
Naturally produced by your gut microbiome when they break down dietary fiber, it plays a role it improving digestive health, supporting brain health and the functions of the gut brain axis, and even protecting you against a variety of both overall human health and digestive diseases.
It is able to support gut health as it can fuel the cells of the colon, known as colonocytes, to keep the gut microbiota healthy. It also improves blood flow to the gut and colon, which helps to push food through it much faster and improve digestion.
Beyond its gut health benefits, butyrate can also benefit overall human health in a variety of ways too.
It can reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar levels, and prevent obesity and a variety of physical and mental diseases.
There is one potential issue with the use of butyrin in Gundry MD Bio Complete 3 though, and that is the dosage.
1,000 mg of CoreBiome is standardized to 30% tributyrin, which means each serving contains 300 mg of butyrin, which is, admittedly, around the industry standard.
However, this standard has been set by outdated information, as more recent studies suggest that the optimal dosage is far higher than this (1).
While it is possible to boost butyrate producing bacteria by eating certain foods, this means it is unlikely to boost gut health to the extent that Gundry MD suggest.
Sunfiber - 200 MG
Sunfiber is a patented version of the soluble prebiotic fiber found in the Indian guar bean plant.
It is said to be gentle on your stomach while being capable of improving digestive health, helping food to pass through the digestive tract more quickly, suppressing hunger and unhealthy cravings, reducing the glycaemic index of food and blood sugar spikes, and benefitting overall gut health in a range of other ways.
It is also a low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) type of fiber, so will not cause the issues like bloating, gas, and loose stools that are associated with those forms of short chain carbohydrates and sugars.
Most studies do show that Sunfiber is an effective prebiotic and a great way to achieve a healthy balance in both your digestive system and the good gut bacteria that lives within it, as well as to combat gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Yet again though, the issues arise when we look at the quantity of Sunfiber that is present in each serving of Gundry MD Bio Complete 3.
Studies suggest that at least 5 grams of Sunfiber must be consumed each day in order for it to be capable of improving gut health (2).
As Gundry MD Bio Complete 3 contains just 4 percent of this with its 200 mg dosage, it is simply far too low to stimulate the production of beneficial gut bacteria that the fiber itself is capable of
Bacillus Coagulans (ProDura) - 16 MG
Bacillus coagulans is a type of healthy bacteria known as a probiotic that is considered by many to be the most effective of its kind.
It is said to be a great way to both promote a healthy gut and the growth of beneficial bacteria, while preventing gastrointestinal problems, such as functional intestinal gas symptoms, leaky gut syndrome, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
The alarm bells should start to ring when you see that the dosage is listed in mg though, as a probiotic supplement should be listed in CFU (colony forming units). Not doing so suggests that there is something to hide, which is then confirmed when you look a little bit closer.
The recommended minimum dosage of probiotics needed to see an effect is 6 billion CFU per day (3).
As the 16 mg of bacillus coagulans in Gundry MD Bio Complete 3 equates to roughly 4 billion CFU, it is just not capable of benefitting the gastrointestinal system in the ways that it could, and Gundry MD listing the weight in mg instead of CFU suggests that they know that.
Other Ingredients
Microcrystalline Cellulose
Microcrystalline cellulose is only used to boost the bulk, stability, and texture of a dietary supplement, and is not intended to support digestive health in any way. However, it may cause side effects in some people.
These side effects can include bloating, depression, diarrhoea, forgetfulness, gas, headaches, stomach pain, and low energy levels, many of which are particularly detrimental in a supplement designed to improve gut health (4).
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is put in a dietary supplement in order to enhance its quality, and it can even provide a number of additional benefits too, such as making the pills easier to digest, preventing blood sugar spikes, and boosting the health of your eyes and liver.
Unfortunately, it also has the ability to cause allergic reactions in many people, which include skin irritations, trouble breathing, and tightness of the throat, lungs, or face (5).
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is often put in dietary supplements as it can improve their texture, but it is also high in both omega 3 and omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This means it can be beneficial for stimulating body fat metabolism, lowering cholesterol levels, and reducing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke as well.
However, it can also cause gut health issues in some people too, and is often a sign of a cheaper product as it is commonly used instead of safer but more expensive options (6).
Fatty Acids Esterified With Glycerol
Glycerol esterified fatty acids can provide some beneficial effects in a gut health supplement, such as preventing constipation and softening stools. However, it is primarily included in supplements to improve their taste and texture, and it can also cause side effects like diarrhoea (7).
Magnesium Stearate
Magnesium stearate is used to increase the bulk, stability, and texture of dietary supplements and will not provide any benefits. However, it is possible that it may cause side effects as well, which can include gas, bloating, depression, diarrhoea, forgetfulness, headaches, stomach and back pain, and low energy levels (8).
Silica
Silica is used to boost the bulk, stability, and texture of a supplement, and prevent the powder in a capsule from sticking together, without offering any other benefits. Unfortunately, it can also cause side effects like gas, gut pain, bloating, depression, diarrhoea, forgetfulness, headaches, and low energy in some people (9).
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a type of artificial sweetener that has the same number of calories as sugar. It will provide no health benefits of its own and is used solely as a cheap way to sweeten the pills and make them more pleasant to take.
It is, however, a far less healthy alternative to regular sugar, as it's both unnatural and spikes your blood sugar levels much faster (10).
Pros
All of its active ingredients are proven to help promote a healthy gut
Cons
Every one of its active ingredients is present in a dosage that is far too low to produce optimal effects
Contains a number of other ingredients that will not benefit your gut but could cause side effects
Very expensive
Reviews by past customers suggest that you are more likely to experience side effects or no effects at all than you are to see a benefit to weight management or an increase in good bacteria in your gut