GI Sustain and UltraGI Replenish Full Review
About 15% of the population is diagnosed with mild to moderate Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Leaky Gut Syndrome affects a majority of Americans and can lead to much more serious digestive issues. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) usually leads to Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) and sometimes Crohn's Disease. Millions of people miss work because of digestive issues. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for IBS. In fact, many other digestive issues such as IBD, Crohn's and Leaky Gut Syndrome do not have specified known cures. These digestive disorders have to be managed and reversed with diet and lifestyle, including medical foods and therapeutic supplements.
GI Sustain & UltraGI Replenish
GI Sustain and UltraGI Replenish were formulated by the medical team at Metagenics to provide relief from gastrointestinal symptoms. Both medical food formulas combine a low-allergenic protein, unique prebiotic fiber (IMO), and low glycemic carbohydrates for a quick and nutritious meal replacement. L-glutamine is included to promote healing in your intestinal cells. UltraGI Replenish also includes another prebiotic fiber, 2'-FL (2'-Fucosyllactose).
GI Sustain and UltraGI Replenish are basically the same formula. UltraGI Replenish is the updated version with higher potency ingredients and the added benefit of 2'-FL (2'-Fucosyllactose).
How Do They Taste?
Often medical foods taste awful. It can quickly become a chore if you don't like the taste of your meal replacement shake. But luckily GI Sustain and UltraGI Replenish are sweet enough to satisfy everyone. IMO, L-glutamine and L-glycine are each naturally sweet nutrients and they are low glycemic. These therapeutic ingredients add sweetness without too much sugar. GI Sustain is also sweetened with rice syrup solids. UltraGI Replenish is sweetened with organic cane sugar and Lo Han Guo (monk fruit). Both formulas are low-carbohydrate shakes with 32 grams and 17 grams respectively.
GI Sustain and UltraGI Replenish are not your ordinary meal replacement or protein shakes. They are specifically formulated to address GI issues and have scientifically proven nutrients. Both are considered medical foods.
The Therapeutic Ingredients:
IMO (isomalto-oligosaccharide) is a novel form of prebiotic fiber which provides nourishment for beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in your colon. The key to colon health is creating an environment which sustains the probiotics that you eat or take as supplements.
The most notable difference between the two healing functional foods is the addition of 2'-FL (2'-Fucosyllactose). This is also a prebiotic fiber. It is an HMO (human milk oligosaccharide). HMO's are not extracted from actual human milk, but they are identical to the 2'-FL molecules that are found in human milk. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are unique prebiotics (food for probiotics) that encourage the growth of good bacteria in your colon.
Sustamine is an advanced form of L-Glutamine. The original GI Sustain contains 500mg of standard L-glutamine. This amino acid is crucial for improving intestinal mucosal cells. L-glutamine is a fuel source for your mucosal cells. It provides energy and tissue repair so your intestinal cells can work properly. The problematic symptoms of Leaky Gut are resolved once these specialized cells have healed and can perform their basic functions. Sustamine is a highly absorbable form of L-glutamine. In studies, Sustamine (L-alanyl-L-Glutamine) shows 224% increase in absorption in comparison to standard L-glutamine supplements.
L-glycine is another helpful amino acid for healing damage in your small intestines. Just like L-glutamine, it is a building block for the cells in the small intestinal lining.
Both formulas are loaded with B vitamins and minerals. The vitamins are in their bioactive forms so they are easily assimilated and utilized in your cells. This is an important aspect of healing from IBS or Leaky Gut. Both of these conditions cause malabsorption, vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Vitamin A is included in GI Sustain and UltraGI Replenish. Immune cells live in your small intestines (gut). If your gut is leaky or inflamed, you will likely have immune system problems. Vitamin A helps your gut's immune cells determine good molecules and pathogenic ones. Vitamin A is critical to maintaining gut intestinal health and overall immune health.
At first glance, you may think that UltraGI Replenish doesn't have as much protein as GI Sustain. However, at the bottom of the label, it indicates that UltraGI Replenish does have 3 grams of protein listed as individual amino acids. So the total protein in UltraGI Replenish is 15 grams just like GI Sustain.
The protein in both formulas is derived from gluten-free and non-gmo rice and pea proteins. Both protein sources have the lowest possibility of causing allergic reactions.
Both medical foods feature medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which aid the absorption of vitamins and minerals. MCTs also provide energy and support a fat-burning metabolism.
Potential Side-Effects? None
There are no side-effects from using GI Sustain or UltraGi Replenish. Both taste great and have a smooth consistency once they are mixed with water or non-dairy milk. The therapeutic nutrients: IMO, Sustamine (L-alanyl-L-Glutamine), 2'-FL, standard L-glutamine, have a low risk of toxicity. There have not been any reported toxic reactions to GI Sustain or UltraGi Replenish.
Will GI Sustain or UltraGI Replenish help my Leaky Gut Or IBS?
The ultimate goal of any Gut Restoration Program, for Leaky Gut Protocol or IBS, is reducing symptoms and healing the cells in your gut lining. The next step is to replenish the good bacteria (probiotics) living in your colon. This 4 step process is well explained in the article, I Love Your Guts.
One measure of your colon health is the amount of short-chained fatty acids present. SCFAs are produced by probiotics (good bacteria) colonizing in your colon. If you have low amounts of probiotics, you will end up with lowered SCFA production. Short-chain fatty acids are important for overall gut health. In a 6-week study, UltraGI Replenish was shown to:
- Reduce overall GI symptoms
- Improve the quality of life for patients suffering from GI symptoms
- Increase production of SCFAs by 72%
- Increase growth of probiotic Bifidobacterium spp.
- Reduce growth of harmful pathogenic bacteria
Either GI Sustain or UltraGI Replenish is a convenient healing element for a successful Gut Restoration Program.
Your Next Step
Although formulas produced by Metagenics, like GI Sustain, are available on Amazon, I recommend purchasing therapeutic foods from a source that provides experienced advice and guidance.
Are you wondering about your GI Health (Gastrointestinal Health)? I can help walk you through the 4 'R' process of gut restoration.
In health,
Carly Neubert BA, NC
