Bio Complete 3 is a daily immunity-boosting supplement that focuses on improving gut health. It features ingredients like prebiotics, probiotics and even post-biotics to ensure users can remove any toxic bacteria from the digestive system which would otherwise damage it over time.
POSITIVES
Reputable manufacturer
Good ingredients profile
Targets gut health
NEGATIVES
Expensive
No weight loss ingredients
SUMMARY
Probiotics are very popular these days. As are prebiotics and supplements that provide a mixture of the two. Postbiotics are not so common but it seems likely we’ll be seeing more of them in the future.
Although this Dr Gundry probiotic supplement is well received there are several alternatives that work equally as well and less expensive.
If weight loss is your main focus then view the best weight loss pills
A daily immunity supplement that improves gut health
Content Table
Bio Complete 3 Review
Bio Complete 3 is a dietary supplement developed and distributed by Gundry MD.
Gundry MD is a health and wellness brand created by Dr. Stephen Gundry MD. A respected heart surgeon and celebrity physician, Dr. Gundry is also the author of several books including The Plant Paradox, The Energy Paradox, and The Longevity Paradox.
In addition to providing a growing range of health and wellness supplements, Gundry MD also distributes several skincare products and an expensive dog food topper named Vital Boost.
Bio Complete 3 is a pill-type supplement designed to boost immune function, slim the waistline, and improve general health by improving the gut microbiome.
“Gut microbiome” is a term that relates to all the bacteria that live inside the human gut. Some of these bacteria are unfriendly to health. When levels build-up, it has the potential to cause disease.
Fortunately, the gut microbiome also consists of friendly “probiotic” bacteria. In addition to being beneficial to the health, this type of bacteria also controls unfriendly bacteria levels, helping to keep the numbers down.
Among other things, probiotic bacteria promote good intestinal health, support metabolism, and even synthesizes useful vitamins and amino acids.
You don’t need to take probiotic supplements to improve your gut microbiome. You can do so by eating foods that contain probiotics or ones that feed your existing probiotic bacteria.
However, if the idea of taking a daily probiotic supplement appeals to you, Bio Complete 3 is one of the few options that have a money-back guarantee.
What Is Bio Complete 3 and What Does It Do?
Bio Complete 3 is a daily supplement that provides additional good bacteria and nurtures your existing probiotic bacteria by providing prebiotic fiber.
Many similar products are designed to do both these things but Bio Complete 3 provides probiotics as well.
1. Bio Complete 3 Provides Live Probiotic Bacteria
There are many different strains of probiotic bacteria present in the gut. Although all of them are beneficial, some are deemed more important than others.
Most probiotic supplements provide there or more probiotic strains. Bio Complete 3 only has one so it’s probably a good thing that the formulation also contains a prebiotic to nurture the good bacteria already present in the gut.
Many things can reduce probiotic bacteria levels. Antibiotic medications are one of the most obvious examples. They target all bacteria, good and bad, so taking a course of antibiotics can play havoc with your gut microbiome.
Several lifestyle factors, such as a bad diet and stress can disrupt your gut microbiome too. As can obesity and certain diseases. So the fact that Bio Complete 3 only provides one probiotic strain is hardly a strong selling point. Prebiotics cannot nourish probiotics unless they are already there.
2. Bio Complete 3 Provides Prebiotic Fibre
Presuming your gut microbiome already contains a diverse range of probiotic bacteria, prebiotic fiber is a good addition to any supplement that aims to improve gut health.
However, most people eating a reasonably healthy diet will already get plenty of prebiotic fiber from their food. Onions, garlic, leeks, bananas, apples, and wheat bran are good sources of prebiotic fiber. There are also plenty more.
The human digestive organs cannot digest prebiotic fiber so it arrives in the intestines intact, where it feeds the probiotic bacteria, helping it to multiply.
It offers no benefit to other types of bacteria though.
On the other hand, eating foods that are high in sugar or fat, will help the bad type of bacteria to thrive and offer no benefit to your existing probiotic bacteria. Your dietary choices can have a huge impact on your gut microbiome as well as your overall health.
3. Bio Complete 3 Provides Postbiotics
The term “Postbiotics” traditionally refers to compounds such as short-chain fatty acids and functional proteins that are generated in a matrix during fermentation. More recently, the term has become associated with probiotics.
Research suggests postbiotics can support healthy immune function and provide a range of additional health benefits.
However, although probiotic bacteria can produce postbiotics, the relationship requires further study. There are doubts about the mechanisms involved and some research suggests postbiotics may not be as safe as probiotic bacteria.
In this new era of “biotic” research, there is still much to learn. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6801921/)
Bio Complete 3 Usage Guidelines and Suitability Considerations
The dose is two capsules, twice per day. Four capsules per day may sound a lot, but each bottle contains enough capsules to provide a 30-day treatment.
Supplements that provide probiotic bacteria may be unsuitable for people who have impaired immune systems or anyone taking immune system suppressants.
If you are pregnant or nursing a child, it’s advisable to obtain a doctor’s approval before using probiotic supplements. It’s an equally good idea if you have existing health issues or would need to use the supplement alongside medication.
Bio Complete 3 Benefits
According to the Gundry MD website, Bio Complete 3 can help you to enjoy:
- Smoother digestion
- Fewer cravings for junk food
- More energy
- A slimmer waistline
- More regular bathroom visits
Ingredient Profile
Four capsules provide three key ingredients:
- CoreBiome (1,000 mg)
- Sunfiber (200 mg)
- ProDURA (16 mg)
Ingredient Evaluation
All three ingredients are proprietary blends.
Let’s take a look at each of them one by one.
CoreBiome (1,000 mg)
CorBiome is a proprietary ingredient that provides tributyrin. It’s a postbiotic that supplies the short-chain fatty acid butyrate.
Butyrate and similar short-chain fatty acids are a byproduct created when probiotic bacteria ferment with fiber and other food compounds in the gut.
Research published in the Journal of Immunology Research suggests supplements that provide tributyrin may reduce oxidative stress and protect immune response in mice that are fed high amounts of ethanol. The researchers gave the mice ethanol because of its damaging effects.
However, although tributyrin appeared to protect the mice, the study conclusion points out the need for further studies involving humans. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6120279/)
Sunfiber (200 mg)
Sunfiber is a brand of prebiotic fiber developed by Taiyo International. It’s designed to encourage a healthy digestive balance without causing excess bloating or gas.
Although the company is keen to extol the ingredient’s virtues, it’s basically just a brand of guar gum.
Nevertheless, the research page on the Sunfiber website provides links to several studies that suggest it has value in a number of areas including treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and weight loss. (https://sunfiber.com/research/)
ProDURA (16 mg)
ProDURA is a patented version of Bacillus coagulans that remains shelf stable without the need for refrigeration.
People often use Bacillus coagulans as a probiotic treatment for IBS.
It’s also a popular probiotic bacteria with people seeking relief from other gut problems such as flatulence and diarrhea. Unfortunately, there is a lack of evidence to support this probiotic’s value in these areas.
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Bacillus coagulans is “possibly effective” for IBS.
The database also states there is insufficient evidence to rate the effectiveness of Bacillus coagulans in other areas including constipation, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, high cholesterol, and immune system strengthening. (https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/1185.html)
To cut a long story short, Bacillus coagulans is a pretty poor match for a supplement that is being sold on the strength of claims of better immune function and weight loss.
Known Side Effects
Gundry MD fails to state if there are any reports of side effects. However, most people using Bio Complete 3 are unlikely to experience any negative issues.
Some people experience gut-related issues such as bloating and intestinal gas when they start using probiotic products but reactions such as these seldom persist for long. It’s just a case of allowing your body a little time to adjust to the presence of extra probiotic bacteria.
Where to Buy Bio Complete 3 and What is the Price
Although Bio Complete 3 often appears to be available on Amazon and certain other websites, the items available may be fake. Gundry MD makes it very clear it only distributes its products via the official website.
At the time of this review, a 30-day supply of Bio Complete 3 cost $69.95. That’s pretty expensive. Many alternative products cost half the price and provide a more diverse range of probiotic bacteria.
However, small discounts are available to customers who order three or six bottles. Customers in the USA also get free shipping because Gundry MD waives the shipping charges on all orders over $60.
Unfortunately, customers who don’t have a USA postal address won’t be able to take advantage of this but all Gundry MD products have a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Bio Complete 3 Review Conclusion
Probiotics are very popular these days. As are prebiotics and supplements that provide a mixture of the two. Postbiotics are not so common but it seems likely we’ll be seeing more of them in the future.
Anybody who wants to improve their gut microbiome has plenty of options. Many manufacturers offer supplements designed to do this and it’s also possible to go a more traditional route by eating a probiotic yogurt for breakfast.
Certain foods, such as sauerkraut, provide probiotics too so it’s hard to justify spending nearly $70 a month on expensive probiotic supplements.
It seems highly likely that many people who use Bio Complete 3 will notice certain benefits but it does not compare well to many alternatives. The only probiotic strain it provides has pretty poor credentials.
It’s great to see a money-back guarantee, but all refunds are less a deduction for shipping and handling. There are many strong arguments for avoiding this product and going with an alternative probiotic instead.
Alternatives to Bio Complete 3
There are several health supplements that target gut health and weight loss in the same as way as Bio Complete 3.
- Provitalize – it is formulated to support a healthy metabolism and act as weight management product.
- Shapeline – advertised as the first probiotic supplement that is proven to help people lose weight
- Prebiothrive – another GundryMD product, It’s produced in powder form and has to be mixed with water and consumed as a drink.
- Bio X4 – Bio X4 is a four-in-one probiotic supplement. It’s intended for men and women who wish to lose weight naturally without resorting to medication, difficult diets, or radical lifestyle changes.
