Gundry MD ProPlant Complete Shake Reviews

The ProPlant Complete Shake promises improved digestion, increased energy, muscle support, and an increase in overall health and wellness.

It also claims that you will have lessened food cravings and sustained energy throughout the day.  

ProPlant Complete was developed by Dr. Steven Gundry, a pediatric heart surgeon with more than 30 years of experience, director of the International Heart and Lung Institute located in Palm Springs. 

His company, Gundry MD, has been steadily releasing a variety of supplements to address a myriad of health issues.

Product and Ingredients

The ProPlant shake is derived from 100% plant protein and features the following Ingredients:

Flaxseed - Like its name suggests, flaxseed is the seed of a plant that goes by many names, the scientific designation being Linum Usitatissimum, which is both a fiber and food crop.

Flaxseed has been used with some success in treating Type 2 Diabetes, some autoimmune diseases like Lupus, and high cholesterol levels.

Flax has also been used for such conditions as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, weight loss, and irritable bowel syndrome, but there is insufficient scientific data to back up these claims.

What is known is that flaxseed is definitely a good source of dietary fiber – one tablespoon of ground flaxseed provides 1.9 grams of fiber.

Keep in mind that flaxseed and flaxseed oil will have different effects and may help with differing conditions.

Hemp protein - is derived from hemp seeds, which despite the name, are actually nuts.  Like flaxseed, hemp is also both a food and fiber crop.

Three tablespoons of hemp seed have 9.47 grams of protein and 1.2 grams of fiber. Hemp seeds also contain a good amount of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids.

They make a good protein substitute for vegans and vegetarians because they have all nine of the essential amino acids that are found in meat products.

Hemp seeds are also a good source of magnesium, and they contain a chemical known as linoleic acid, which could possibly reduce cholesterol levels, although more scientific research is needed to confirm this.

Spirulina - is a type of algae – blue-green algae to be precise – which is thought to be one of the oldest forms of life on Earth. It was used by the Aztecs to boost endurance.

It is nutrient dense – the protein it provides is comparable to the protein found in eggs. The one drawback is taste – spirulina is said to have a bitter taste, so it’s best mixed in with other food.

One tablespoon of spirulina has 4 grams of protein.  It’s also a good source of niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, copper, and iron.

Spirulina may have anti-inflammatory properties and may improve your immune system.  Research has also revealed that spirulina may reduce your body’s absorption of cholesterol and possibly reduces harmful triglyceride levels.  

More research must be done to verify the benefits of spirulina.

Thiamine -  also known as Vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient.  It helps your body turn food into fuel for the heart, nerves, and brain.

It's needed to process proteins and fats, but is absolutely essential for the processing of carbohydrates such as starches and sugars.  Thiamine is naturally found in cereals, meat, whole grains, nuts, peas, and beans.

Riboflavin -  is another B Vitamin, in this case it is also known as Vitamin B2.  It is found naturally in meat, eggs, nuts, milk, and green vegetables.

Riboflavin is necessary for a number of bodily processes. It is required for development of skin and red blood cells, as well as for proper brain functioning.

Riboflavin is used for migraine prevention and to reduce harmful levels of homocysteine in the blood.

Vitamin B6 -  is essential for a healthy immune and nervous system. It is found naturally in eggs, legumes, and cereals.

Vitamin B6 is used, along with folic acid, to reduce harmful levels of homocysteine in the blood. 

Vitamin B6 shows promise in the treatment of kidney stones, morning sickness, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), although more research is needed to prove these benefits.

Vitamin B12 -  is essential for the formation of red blood cells, nerve production, and cell metabolism. It is found naturally in dairy products, meat, poultry, and fish.

Research has shown Vitamin B12 levels seem to have an effect on heart disease, athletic performance, and dementia, but it is not yet known if Vitamin B12 supplementation can have a positive impact on these conditions.

Women of perimenopausal age, as well as vegetarians and vegans, commonly have to take Vitamin B12 supplements.

Like the other B Vitamins already discussed, Vitamin B12 also shows promise in lowering harmful levels of homocysteine in the blood.

Niacin - is also known as Vitamin B3. It is found naturally in yeast, tortillas, milk, and cereal grains. It is typically used to lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood.

Calcium -  is another essential nutrient for bone maintenance, blood clotting, and heart and nerve functioning.  It is found naturally in many foods, particularly in dairy products.

Calcium has been used for years as an antacid and for osteoporosis.

It's also promising in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), colon cancer, and high blood pressure, although more scientific research is needed to verify these claims.

Iron -  is a mineral essential for the body in transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. Iron can be found naturally in foods like fish, tofu, meat, beans, cereals, and spinach.

It is used in the treatment of anemia and low iron levels in the blood. It shows promise in treating heart failure and restless leg syndrome (RLS), although more research is needed to confirm this.

Potential Side Effects

Flaxseed - Keep in mind that when you are adding fiber to your diet you will increase the number of bowel movements you have.

Flaxseed may also cause bloating, stomach pain, and gas.  Raw or unripe flaxseed may be poisonous.

Avoid flaxseed if you are pregnant, nursing, taking hormone replacements, or have any condition or cancer that may be sensitive to estrogen. 

Also avoid flaxseed if you have very high triglycerides, as it may increase levels even further.

Flaxseed may increase the risk of bleeding after surgery, so avoid consuming it for at least two weeks before any planned procedure.

Avoid consuming flaxseed if you are taking diabetes medication, blood thinners, antibiotics, estrogen, or blood pressure medication.

Hemp Seeds - Although hemp seeds provide a good amount of protein, they also have a good amount of fat – so consume them in moderation or you may become nauseous or have diarrhea.

Avoid hemp seeds if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are taking blood thinners.

The fiber content of hemp seeds could cause constipation, so make sure you drink adequate water.

Also keep in mind that hemp seeds could potentially contain trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. It wouldn’t be enough to impact you, but it could show up on a drug test if you have to take one.

Spirulina - is harvested in the wild, so it could contain heavy metals or bacteria. Side effects of spirulina include gas, upset stomach, tiredness, headache, and dizziness.

Avoid spirulina if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Spirulina may reduce blood clotting and increase bleeding in those with certain conditions.

Avoid spirulina if you are at high risk for infection, take blood thinners, have liver problems, or have Phenylketonuria (PKU).

Niacin - may make you dizzy and using alcohol or marijuana at the same time may increase this effect.

Do not take niacin if you take blood thinners, have low blood pressure, or have a history of alcoholism.

Also avoid niacin if you have diabetes, glaucoma, gallbladder disease, gout, recent heart attack, liver or kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or under active thyroid. Avoid niacin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Thiamine - side effects may include nausea, sweating, rash, or restlessness. Avoid thiamine if you have kidney disease or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Riboflavin - may cause nausea. It may also turn urine a bright yellow color – which is a harmless side effect. Don’t take riboflavin while you are taking tetracycline antibiotics.

Vitamin B6 - may cause headache, loss of appetite, stomach pain, and nausea. Don’t take Vitamin B6 if you have had weight loss surgery or after having coronary stent placements.

Do not take Vitamin B6 if you are taking phenytoin, amiodarone, phenobarbital, high blood pressure medications, or levodopa.

Vitamin B12 - may cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, or a tingling sensation in the hands and feet.

Avoid using Vitamin B12 after having coronary stent placement or if you have an allergy to cobalt or cobalamin.

Do not take Vitamin B12 if you are taking amino salicylic acid, colchicine, metformin, or proton pump inhibitors (such as Prilosec and Prevacid).

Iron supplements - can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Do not take iron if you have been diagnosed with a hemoglobin disease.

Do not take iron if you are taking quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics, bisphosphonates, levodopa, levothyroxine, methyldopa, mycophenolate mofetil, penicillamine, dolutegravir, integrase inhibitors, or chloramphenicol.

Calcium - may cause constipation.  Do not take calcium if you are taking ceftriaxone, dolutegravir, elvitegravir, quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics, bisphosphonates, calcipotriene, digoxin, diltiazem, levothyroxine, sotalol, verapamil, diuretics, aluminum, lithium, raltegravir, or high blood pressure medications.

Cost and Price Plans

One jar is $49.95. Three jars cost $134.85. Six jars cost $254.70. Shipping is free on any order. The company offers a 90-day money back guarantee.

Customer Service

Customer service can be reached at 1-800-852-0477. No hours were listed.

Online Reviews/Complaints

The company lists the average review at 4.8 out of 5 stars, taken from 633 reviews.

FAQ

Where To Buy?

This product is available only on the company website.

How to Use?

Mix one scoop of the powder into any beverage – such as water, unsweetened coconut milk, or a smoothie – and consume one shake per day. The canister has 20 servings.

What Flavors Does the ProPlant Shake Come In?

The only flavor that seems to be available is chocolate.

What is the shelf life of the ProPlant Shake?

The ProPlant Shake is good for two years from the manufacturing date.

Competitors and Alternatives

A similar product would be Isagenix IsaLean Shake, which is also a nutrient-rich protein shake. It has 4.5 out of five stars on Amazon, taken from 1,827 reviews. One canister has 14 meals and costs $54.95.

Is The ProPlant Complete Shake Worth It?

This product brings to mind the fact that while we may be more cautious about supplements, we tend to dive in when we hear the word vitamins – and the side effect section of this review can attest to the fact that it’s not a great policy.  

That said, if you already take vitamins, multivitamins, or supplements watch that you are not overdosing on ingredients.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, this is probably a supplement to be avoided.  

If you have any medical condition or take any prescription medications, it would be highly advisable to take the nutritional information sheet from this supplement to your next doctor’s appointment and get advice directly from your physician.

Just because this shake was formulated by a doctor, it wasn’t formulated by your doctor, and none of your pre-existing conditions were taken into account.

See Also:  What Vitamins and Supplements Should You Be Taking?