Total Restore – Does It Work For Leaky Gut?
I first came across Total Restore last year and was sceptical.
As a certified nutritionist I am aware of many bogus products that over-promise.
Many people believe that nutritional supplements for "Leaky Gut" are all a scam.
I am going to dive in deep and in my honest Total Restore Review, try to figure out if it is worth buying.
I have also asked a Gastroenterologist doctor on our medical team for her thoughts on gut health.
Who Is Dr Steven Gundry?
Yep! He's a Real Doctor.
Dr Steven Gundry is an American doctor, former cardiac surgeon, and author.
Dr Gundry is considered a pioneer in heart transplant surgery for infants, and has more recently become known for writing the best-selling book The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in "Healthy" Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain.
Dr Gundry currently runs his own clinic and specializes in theories around nutrition and digestive health. He also has an extensive range of dietary supplements. Dr Gundry’s theories center around lectins—a certain type of protein found in many foods.
Dr Gundry believes that lectins are responsible for a variety of health problems, specifically centered around digestion and the health of the gut.
Gastroenterologist's Thoughts On Gut Health
Dr. Sara Mesilhy
I asked Dr. Sara Mesilhy a Gastroenterologist on our medical team to highlight the importance of our gut health.
She told me that "Our Gut health is an essential and core part of our overall health, it has many essential functions; basically, it helps digest and absorb all the nutrients that maintain our body, secretes some hormones, acts as a barrier to many harmful subjects; toxins, viruses, fungus, bacteria, and other materials and help avoid some disorders like chronic diseases, autoimmune disorders."
She also told me that the gut "contains 80% of the immune system; starting from the saliva, stomach acids, and lastly, the beneficial microbiota it contains, which prevent other harmful bacteria from invading our body." so if Total Restore could help with gut health it could potentially have a big overall impact.
What Does Total Restore Claim To Do?
Total Restore is one of Dr Gundry’s nutritional supplements that is designed to combat a common complaint known as “leaky gut”, which Dr Gundry believes is a cause of digestive issues, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, cravings, and weight issues. Check out my leaky gut probiotics guide here.
Dr Gundry’s company claims that Total Restore can naturally strengthen the cells of the lining of the gut, protecting the gut against the effects of lectins, which bind to the cells and weaken the lining. This weakening of the gut lining can supposedly lead to leaky gut and the aforementioned symptoms.
Total Restore is advertised as an effective way to reduce problems such as gas, bloating, digestive discomfort, and even discomfort in the joints.
Gundry MD also claims that reducing these problems can have positive mental benefits, such as increasing focus, energy, and mood, and fighting unwanted food cravings.
There are no medical studies proving any of these claims so we simply have to rely on customer reviews. Total Restore is not a replacement for any medical prescriptions. You should always contact a medical professional for any health issues. I am not a doctor.
What Is Leaky Gut?
“Leaky gut” is a colloquial term that refers to intestinal hyperpermeability. Intestinal hyperpermeability happens when parts of the intestinal wall are weakened by lectins, causing tiny gaps to form in the digestive tract. These gaps enable harmful substances to pass into the bloodstream, which may cause various digestive problems and unwanted symptoms.
It is not just Dr Gundry who believes this theory—studies have linked intestinal hyperpermeability with various chronic health conditions such as Diabetes, Celiac disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Total Restore was developed by Dr Gundry to help combat leaky gut and the health issues that it is believed to cause.
Main Ingredients
The Total Restore formula includes many natural ingredients, of which these are the main ones:
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"What really makes Total Restore different from other products, is that each and every ingredient has been scientifically proven to support your health."
Dr Steven Gundry
L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine is an essential amino acid for digestion. The body produces its own L-Glutamine, but it can also be a beneficial ingredient in supplements. There is evidence to suggest that L-Glutamine may increase production of microbes in the gut that are used to maintain digestion and body weight. It also may reduce inflammation and possibly help maintain the integrity of intestinal cells.
Grape Seed Extract
Grape Seed extract contains a number of helpful antioxidants and has been linked to various health benefits such as possibly reducing cholesterol levels, boosting circulation, and in some cases repairing nerve damage. Studies have found that the ingredient could also improve the integrity of the intestinal walls.
N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine
Glucosamine is found in body tissues such as bone cartilage. It is also believed that glucosamine can potentially play an important role in maintaining the health of your joints. N-acetyl D-glucosamine is believed to possibly provide a natural barrier between some types of lectins and the intestinal walls.
PepZin GL(™)
PepZin GL(™) is a blend of zinc and L-carnosine. Zinc is a mineral believed to have benefits in reducing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease for sufferers. L-carnosine is a protein compound believed to benefit the immune system. Both substances might play roles in repairing cells and decreasing intestinal permeability.
Magnesium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Magnesium Beta-hydroxybutyrate, also known as MBH, is a ketone that is believed to help naturally increase energy levels for some people. MBH may also help the body to lose weight (although consuming too much MBH can have adverse health effects).
Black Pepper
Black pepper is a common ingredient used to add flavor to food. What is less well-known than the culinary uses of black pepper are the dietary benefits—black pepper is believed to increase the stomach’s production of the hydrochloric acid needed to digest food and absorb its nutrients. The carminative properties of the ingredient may also reduce the likelihood and severity of gas, bloating, and indigestion.
Other Ingredients
Studies have found that extracts from marshmallow root may play a role in strengthening intestinal membranes by boosting tissue regeneration and creating a protective layer on the intestinal lining.
Licorice root is believed to have both anti-bacterial and may have anti-inflammatory applications. It has also been found to potentially play a role in reducing acid reflux symptoms.
Hydroxypropyl is a derivative of cellulose, and is believed to assist digestive processes.
Berberine has been found to have properties that may promote weight loss, lower blood sugar, and reduce cholesterol.
Methylcellulose is another derivative of cellulose that is often used to assist the regularity of bowel movements and reduce constipation.
Like methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose is another cellulose derivative that can act as a laxative.
Silicon dioxide is a natural additive to supplements and medications that acts as an anti-caking agent.
Another natural additive, magnesium stearate is used in supplements and medications to delay their breakdown and absorption by the body so that the correct part of the gut absorbs agents.
Total Restore Dosage
Total Restore comes in capsule form, and the recommended dosage is 3 capsules a day with your largest meal, or each capsule can be taken with a different meal if preferred.
I decided to take all 3 capsules with my dinner. Each capsule was small so I had no trouble or discomfort swallowing them!
It is recommended to take these capsules with water, which can help you to swallow them more easily as well as reducing the likelihood of experiencing any potential side-effects.
Is Total Restore a Probiotic?
Unlike other digestion-related supplements I have tested and reviewed, Total Restore is not a probiotic supplement.
It does not contain any probiotic strains, as the supplement was designed to take a different approach to solving digestive issues than probiotic supplements do.
The following is a genuine discussion from the official GundryMD Facebook page.
Anonymous I have just ordered x3 bottles of the total restore. I’m not wanting to be having to take multiple different supplements but I do know how important pre & probiotics are. Does the total restore have any of this in it or will I need to continue with pre & probiotics as well?
Like • Reply • 10h
GundryMD Thank you for your interest. The Total Restore does not have any probiotics so you can continue with your daily probiotic while using the product. Thank you!
Like • Reply • 10h
Total Restore is designed to nourish the intestinal lining and help prevent leaky gut, rather than to stimulate the production of good bacteria, which is what probiotics do.
These two approaches are different, although can be used together concurrently. In fact, using Total Restore alongside probiotic supplements can also boost the efficacy of the probiotics!
Side Effects
It is worth mentioning that, as Total Restore contains traces of shellfish, it is not strictly suitable for vegans or those with allergies to shellfish. However, all ingredients are 100% natural, and the product is free of sugar, artificial sweeteners, soy, dairy, and lectins.
Licorice root is believed to possibly contribute to high blood pressure and low levels of potassium in high doses, but the low dose in this supplement seems unlikely to trigger this effect. Grapefruit seed extract is also recommended to be avoided if you are taking statins or similar medications.
Some online reviews mention experiencing side effects like nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea, although most reviews are positive. I didn’t experience any of these side effects myself, although it is always worth remembering that different people have different reactions to supplements, especially those related to digestion!
If in doubt, always ask your doctor or a medical professional before trying a new supplement.
Where To Buy Total Restore?
1 Bottle - $69.95*
3 Bottles - $63.95 per bottle*
6 Bottles - $52.95 per bottle*
Although Total Restore is listed on Amazon, it is usually out of stock and sometimes sold be unofficial resellers. Purchasing from the official website is more recommended, as discounts for bulk orders are available.
If you experience any issues with the product you can also get a refund for up to 90 days when you buy directly from Dr Gundry’s website, and there is also a live chat customer support function. I am proud to be a GundryMD Ambassador & may receive a small commission to help cover my hosting costs (you won't be charged more).
Total Restore Reviews
The vast majority of reviews I spent hours digging through were positive for Total Restore. Let's take a look at some of the Total Restore reviews I found.
Diane felt that she felt no difference at all after taking Total Restore. She wasn't alone on this and there were others who did not benefit from Total Restore.
Most of the customer reviews I found on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube Comments and Amazon did mention that they did notice benefits with their digestive systems.
B. McGill shared that both him and his wife noticed improvements after taking Total Restore and Mamashell mentioned their gut had fewer issues since taking the supplement.
It's quite clear Total Restore doesn't help everyone but I don't think it's a scam. You can always get a refund if you are not satisfied.
I think one major con of Total Restore is that it doesn't have probiotic bacteria so the effect on the digestive system may be limited. Another con is that Total Restore doesn't contain prebiotic fiber which is vital for probiotic bacteria to grow.
How Does Total Restore Compare?
One popular probiotic for "leaky gut" symptoms is Renew Life Ultimate Flora which claims to improve gut health and address symptoms such as gas, bloating and discomfort. It differs from Total Restore in that it includes a blend of 15 probiotic strains, while Total Restore focuses on a specific blend of non probiotic ingredients like L-Glutamine and N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine.
Another popular option for addressing "leaky gut" is the supplement, Dr. Tobias Leaky Gut Support and whilst I haven't tried this yet it does have over 5,600+ real positive customer reviews. It also includes L-Glutamine and N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine, but has additional ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Marshmallow root.
Total Restore stands out by its blend of ingredients and its specific focus on "leaky gut" symptoms compared to a lot of other supplements. I am also sure you are aware that it was created by Dr. Steven Gundry, who is a well-known expert in the field of nutrition and gut health.
Final Thoughts
Based on the medical studies I have researched I believe that Leaky Gut is a legitimate condition. I also believe it can be helped through diet without supplements.
The Total Restore Reviews that I read do confirm that Steven Gundry's supplement worked well for many different people.
I don't believe that Total Restore is a scam. I think that the supplement is legitimate, genuine and safe to use.
The price does seem quite high at first glance but the 16 high quality ingredients included is impressive and represents good value for money.
Yes, you may be able to heal Leaky Gut without Total Restore but the reviews do seem to suggest Total Restore helped a lot of people.
Alicia Harper is a NASM-CNC Certified nutritionist and the editor of ProbioticReviewGirl.
After suffering from recurrent gut issues she spent years researching Probiotics and the microbiome.
She has tested 29+ different Probiotics and is a probiotics expert. As a probiotic fanatic, she has valuable knowledge to share with the world.
It is advertised as being gluten free is it or isn’t it. Someone please clear this up ASAP. If it isn’t then that’s falsely advertised and this Dr. Guidry can be sued because this could make a lot of people very very sick. Why does he/say it gluten free on his little speech on Facebook then you find out later by getting sick that it’s not. NOT COOL!
Hi Judy, This is concerning 🙁 What ingredient contains gluten?
Total Restore worked wonders for my intestinal bloating and pain. I reduced my consumption of antacids from 15-20 tablets a day to 2-4 and eventually to none. I did encounter a high blood pressure condition. I believe this was related to the cinnamon root powder in the ingredients which is not listed as an ingredient above but it is in the product. I’ve known for 10 years that cinnamon affected me this way and would not have purchased the product knowing it contained it. It was only through a more intense internet search that I learned cinnamon was an ingredient. I have lived my whole life (I’m 56) with gut discomfort and this product worked. I just need it without the cinnamon.
Hi Dan, Thank you for sharing your positive experience with Total Restore! It’s great to hear that the product helped with your gut discomfort. Sorry to hear about the cinnamon root powder, you could try reach out to GundryMD about that.