Total Restore
$69.95
Cons
- Ingredients are largely useless
- Most ingredients are herb powders
- Product is extremely expensive for what you get
- No ingredient has been shown to heal the gut lining in healthy humans
- Leaky gut syndrome isn't real anyway!
Total Restore Review Summary
Total Restore from Gundry MD is one of the most popular gut health supplements on the market right now. It is not a probiotic; rather, it claims to deliver a combination of ingredients which promote digestive health and cure “leaky gut syndrome”. After doing a detailed review, I have no idea how Gundry Total Restore has become so popular. There is no such thing as leaky gut syndrome; it is not a recognized medical condition. Consuming cloves and cinnamon isn’t going to fix any digestive issues, and you don’t need to pay Gundry “MD” $69.99 for the priviledge! For long-term gut health, prebiotics are better anyway!
Fair Use Disclaimer
Everything on this review of Total Restore falls under fair use. I do not need permission from Gundry MD or Aria Goodman to talk about, criticize or review their products online. According to the DMCA (which is a US law, not a global law) you do not need permission to quote copyrighted materials for purposes of education or criticism. We are not misrepresenting or pretending to be Gundry MD. The purpose of this Total Restore review is to educate people about what a scam this product really is in my honest, personal opinion! As such, all use of copyrighted images falls under fair use. Believe it or not, you cannot just remove criticism of scam products from the internet at will. Doing so can lead to unforseen consequences.
What is Total Restore?
Total Restore is a supplement made by Gundry MD. Dr. Gundry is the archetypal shill; he has appeared on every self-improvement podcast and YouTube channel to deliver his unique blend of pseudo-science and insinuation to sell his supplements. He sells other popular gut supplements, such as Bio Complete 3, which doesn’t work either!
Total Restore is not like other gut health supplements in that it is designed to promote a healthy gut lining, rather than redressing an imbalance in gut bacteria (like probiotics and prebiotics).
According to the Gundry MD website, Total Restore can:
- Reduce gas and bloating
- Increase energy and focus
- Improve mood
- Help combat food cravings
- Support “comfortable” joints
That is quite an impressive range of benefits for what is a fairly targeted supplement. That said, we know that your gut affects every aspect of health and performance directly, so these claims do make sense.
The question is, does Gundry MD Total Restore really work? Is it an effective gut health supplement? Is it safe? What even is leaky gut syndrome? Read our full Total Restore review below and find out.
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
“Leaky gut syndrome” is not actually a medical syndrome at all – it is a “proposed” syndrome, which means that some people are claiming it exists.
The proponents of leaky gut syndrome state that a wide range of health conditions are caused by toxins, germs, and irritants “leaking” into the bloodstream through a bowel that has become porous or overly-permeable.
Some conditions are partly caused by a “leaky” gut; rarely, a person might have increased gut permeability or a reduced mucosal membrane. This causes problems as unwanted substances (usually dealt with or passed through the gut) enter the body in large quantities.
However, there is currently no evidence that leaky gut syndrome is widespread, that it is caused by common food products, or that it is the root cause of systemic conditions as claimed by Gundry.
The bowel lining can be chronically damaged, but this tends to be the symptom of another condition like norovirus, celiac disease or Crohn’s disease.
Now that that’s out the way, let’s look at Gundry MD Total Restore’s ingredients.
Total Restore Ingredients
What are the ingredients in Total Restore?
Here is the Total Restore ingredients list as you will find it on the bottle. This image was posted on social media, and is therefore fine to reproduce here:
Here is a list of the ingredients in case that image fails to load:
- Magnesium – 7mg
- Zinc – 7mg
- L-Glutamine – 213mg
- N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine – 142mg
- Magnesium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate – 86mg
- Grape Seed Extract – 58mg
- Licorice Powder – 54mg
- Wormwood Powder – 50mg
- Cinnamon Powder – 50mg
- Maitake Mushroom Extract – 34mg
- Organic Berry Mix – 22mg
- Cloves Powder – 17mg
- Black Pepper Powder – 17mg
- Grapefruit Extract – 17mg
- Marshmallow Powder – 10mg
- Zinc L-Carnosine – 10mg
- Berberine – 3mg
As you can see, Gundry Total restore is not a probiotic, nor is it really a prebiotic. Instead it is a supplement supposedly designed for the sole purpose of promoting a healthy gut lining, based on Dr. Gundry’s (basless) idea of a “leaky gut”. There are no vitamins in Total Restore, although there are some minerals, including two different forms of zinc and magnesium. Most of the Total Restore ingredients are herbal extracts and fruit powders. So, does it work as advertised?
Our Thoughts On The Total Restore Formula
Can the Total Restore ingredients deliver on all the promises made by Gundry MD? Will Total Restore “restore” your gut to full health and functionality?
We highly doubt it.
We were genuinely shocked when we saw the Total Restore formula. Although we were aware that this was an unusual gut health supplement, we were still expecting some familiar ingredients: some prebiotic fiber, perhaps some digestive enzymes, and some potent anti-inflammatory substances.
But instead, what we get from Total Restore is a cocktail of plant powders, most of which you probably have in your spice rack right now!
None of the ingredients in Gundry MD Total Restore have been shown to have a positive effect on gut lining.
Not one clinically-proven ingredient!
All we get from Total Restore are common herbs, plant powders, and a couple of minerals that have no meaningful effect on gut health.
Worse still, Total Restore actually contains an ingredient known to cause significant issues for people with celiac disease: L-Glutamine.
Celiac disease is a severe intolerance to gluten. Lots of people with celiac’s disease report feeling terrible while taking glutamine supplements for the purposes of promoting healing (source).
We don’t see why Dr. Gundry MD, in his infinite wisdom, would include a potentially side effect-causing ingredient when there is no solid, clinical evidence that it offers benefits for people with a leaky gut.
All-in-all, we’re less than impressed with Gundry MD Total Restore. It is a complete waste of money. If you want to spend good money on cinnamon and licorice powder, visit your local supermarket and go to the baking aisle!
If you’re serious about promoting your gut health, then use a high-spec product with clinically-proven ingredients.
Is Total Restore good for constipation?
No, taking Gundry MD Total Restore regularly will not help to reduce constipation. Gundry MD claims that Total Restore is reduced gas, constipation, and abdominal pain. However, there is no proof that any Total Restore ingredients help with constipation.
If you are struggling with constipation, then the best way to deal with it naturally is to consume more fiber. Eating more fiber on a daily basis will make sure you never experience constipation. High-quality prebiotics can help speed this process up. Total Restore offers no help with constipation or bloating whatsoever.
Gundry Total Restore Side Effects
Is Total Restore safe to take?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions about this gut supplement from Gundry MD. Unfortunately, we think Gundry Total Restore is potentially unsafe for some users due to the presence of glutamine.
Glutamine is an extremely common amino acid; it is nearly ubiquitous in the human diet. However, some people with celiac disease find that taking glutamine worsens their symptoms (source). In theory, glutamine should promote healing of the gut, but in practice, celiac sufferers seem to experience something different (just as glutamine should, in theory, cause no issues in humans).
We also wouldn’t advise taking a stack with so many different herbal extracts when there is no discernible benefit in doing so. In the case of Total Restore, the risk:reward ratio is heavily lopsided – it’s all risk, no potential reward! Just look at glutamine: 213mg of glutamine will not benefit anybody in any way (you get 5g from a bowl of pasta), but it might cause issues if it exaccerbates your celiac disease.
So what are the side effects of Total Restore?
The likely side effects of Total Restore include:
- Bloating
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Gas
Some Total Restore users have reported feeling tired, having digestive problems, and experiencing joint pain while taking the supplement. It is unclear whether these side effects are actually linked to Total Restore or not since we don’t have information about the user’s diet or lifestyle.
Gundry MD Total Restore is not an effective cure for any disease or condition of the digestive system. If you think you have a chronic gut issue, talk to your general practitioner asap.
Pricing: Is Gundry MD Total Restore worth the money?
Gundry MD Total Restore is currently priced at an outrageous $69.95 a bottle.
We don’t need to tell you what an outrageous price tag that is for such a basic, low-spec supplement!
Total Restore is not the profesisonal, high-spec gut supplement it makes itself out to be; quite the opposite.
It is simple a collection of herb powders – licorice, cinnamon, black pepper – and a few minerals. The Total Restore ingredients list reads more like a recipe than a supplement designed to fix a “leaky” gut.
As such, the almost $70 price is completely unjustifiable.
By contrast, you can get our current top-rated gut health supplement, Performance Lab Prebiotic, for half that price.
Total Restore Review Conclusion: Should you buy it?
Does Total restoe from Gundry MD really work?
No, we don’t think so.
Total Restore does not have strong evidence to support its efficacy, and none of the ingredients have ever been proven to improve digestive health or the integrity of your gut lining. Total Restore is a collection of cheap fruit and herb leaves that do not work to improve digestion or gut microbiome health.
This is not a high quality gut supplement by any stretch of the imagination.
We have no idea how Gundry MD can claim that Total Restore can heal the lining of the gut with a straight face. Not only is “leaky gut” a completely fabricated condition, but there is nothing in this supplement capable of signifciantly strengthening the mucosal membrane which prevents your gut becoming too permeable.
For $69.95, you get a collection of common herbs and spices – in raw powder form – combined with a ubiquitous amino acid and some minerals. Hardly revolutionary stuff for double the usual gut supplement price!
We usually refrain from being too harsh on a product, but Gundry MD Total Restore looks like a complete joke to us. It is definitely a rip-off, and potentially an outright scam.
If you’re serious about optimizing your gut health and fixing any digestive issues you might have, the we strongly recommend staying away from gimmicky products stuffed full of unproven, cheap ingredients like Total Restore.
There are some superb supplements on sale capable of rectifying many digestive issues and promoting optimal gut health over the long-term.
Looking for a gut health supplement that works?
Our #1 Rated Prebiotic - Performance Lab Prebiotic
After reviewing dozens of supplements designed to improve digestive health, we decided that Performance Lab Prebiotic is the clear winner. It provides a special combination of prebiotic fibers which, together, can help nourish and re-balance your own gut microbiome. This in turn will promote proper digestion, enhance cognition, and promote weight loss. This is the only prebiotic which uses 100% natural, prebiotic plant caps to deliver its formula. We can't ask for more than that!
Johan Theorin is an author, editor, and competitive cyclist. He is the author of most of the content on this website, and he is the site editor. Johan has spent years researching joint health, sports performance and recovery. He is a leading biohacking expert and an experienced physiotherapist.
Chicory is listed as high FODMAP in guidelines is there an alternative for those sensitive? Or is this form of chicory not high FODMAP?
Interesting. You have talked badly about someone s product. Then you are trying to sell something else.
Hey Matt, thanks for commenting. We don’t sell anything. We review products and recommend better alternatives. We don’t need a financial incentive to come to the conclusion that Gundry is a quack out to make a fast buck and that Total Restore is garbage.
I’m not a follower of Dr. Gundry, however someone who graduated Yale and the Medical College of Georgia, is a cardiothoracic surgeon, and has been involved with medicine and nutrition research for 30+ years might have some insight into what he speaks of.
We all have a right to disagree, though where is the proof his protocol doesn’t work? Have double-blind studies been done to disprove his theories?
Hi Dee, thanks for commenting. You’d be surprised at how many qualified people are devoid of ethics, and place making money over scientific rigor. You’d also be surprised how domain specific competence is. By that I mean that a cardiac surgeon may be amazing at cutting open your chest, inserting stents and bypassing blocked arteries, but that doesn’t mean they know how the gut works. At all.
With regards to your “proof that it doesn’t work”, yes there is; a lack of proof that it works. That’s how scientific proof works. Gundry says his products (such as Total Restore) work, there’s no proof that they do, so we can assume that they don’t. It isn’t for us to show that Gundry is wrong, it’s for him to prove that he is right, which he hasn’t done. Not even close.
I have taken total restore for one month now and it is fabulous for my gut… I have so much more clear energy, no bloating or gas .. regular morning elimination with no loose stools. I highly recommend this product to everyone….
Hi Leslie. It’s great that Total Restore is working for you. How does Total Restore compare to, say, eating more fiber on a daily basis? Have you found Total Restore more effective than eating high fiber cereal and more vegetables?
It works for my husband as well Leslie. I recommend it 100%
I believe that something in Total Restore causes palpitations for me. After a few days of taking it (with mesls), I noticed that Mr heart was pounding after eating. Though I have no major food allergies, I decided to create a food journal for 10 days to be sure. I stopped the Total Restore, and I included all the food I could remember eating in the prior few days. Sure enough, nothing I ate caused the symptom, but as soon as I started taking Dr. Gudry’s Total Restore, The palpitations returned when I ate.