Gundry MD Metabolic Advanced

What is Metabolic Advanced?

Metabolic Advanced is a comprehensive metabolic supplement offered by Gundry MD that allegedly boosts energy, enhances digestion, improves sleep, and elevates mood.

While other metabolism boosters may include caffeine or sugar, Metabolic Advanced states that their supplement is free of these ingredients. By consuming 2 capsules in the morning and two in the evening, the proposed energy-boosting effects of this supplement may be noticeable within one week of use.

The many effects that Metabolic Advanced claims to offer are thought to be made possible by their blend of active ingredients. But can one supplement really provide so many benefits?

Read this review to determine if Metabolic Advanced from Gundry MD is the safe and effective metabolic supplement your diet has been missing.

The Active Ingredients: Do They Work?

Zinc Citrate - 30mg

Zinc is an essential mineral that can be challenging to get if you opt for plant based nutrition or have nut allergies. Additionally, 50% of those older than 65 may have low zinc levels.

Thus, a deficiency is not uncommon. With Metabolic Advanced, you receive 273% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) per serving. As zinc has a role in so many biochemical reactions in your body, a deficiency can lead to many unwanted effects.

Zinc levels were shown to be significantly lower in obese adolescents when compared to those at a healthy weight. Low levels were also associated with obesity, an elevated BMI, and a larger waist circumference in premenopausal women.

In a randomized trial, obese subjects that received 30mg of zinc daily for 4-weeks experienced significant decreases in both BMI and body weight. Obese children that were randomized to treatment with 20mg per day over 2-months experienced similar effects.

Regarding zinc's potential role in energy metabolism, support is mixed.

While 30mg of zinc over 6-days reduced fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance in women gestational diabetes, these findings were not supported in a review of 3 trials examining zinc’s role in preventing diabetes in patients with insulin resistance.

Zinc deficiency may be associated with a mental decline in neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s. In subjects 70 years or older, 150gm of zinc protected against cognitive decline when compared to placebo.

Takeaway: Zinc at doses comparable to those found in Metabolic Advanced may assist in reducing weight, BMI, and waist circumference, particularly in obese kids and adults. Its effect regarding energy metabolism is less clear.

Selenium - 70mcg

Selenium is an essential mineral found in soil, water, and foods like eggs and nuts.

Supplementation with 200mcg for an average of 7.7 years did not prevent the development of diabetes when compared to placebo, and those with the highest selenium levels had a higher risk for disease.

Similarly, a review of 12 studies did not find any statistically significant improvements in fasting blood glucose, insulin, or HbA1c (an indicator of blood glucose regulation over a 2 to 3-month period).

Indicators of cognitive function improved in subjects with mild cognitive decline that were randomized to consuming 1 brazil nut daily (approximately 288.75mcg of selenium daily). However, there was no association between selenium and cognitive function found in a study that included 154 adults over the age of 60.

Takeaway: Selenium may negatively impact energy metabolism, especially in those with type 2 diabetes. Support for its effects on mental capacity is mixed.

Chromium - 20mcg

This mineral is found naturally in foods like beef, fruits, broccoli, and whole-wheat products.

A review of 15 randomized trials did not show any benefit of chromium supplementation on glucose or insulin regulation in subjects randomized to treatment with doses ranging from 10-1000mcg of chromium, whether they had diabetes or not.

Similarly, 1000mcg for 4 months did not improve insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, or body weight in obese nondiabetic subjects.

A recent review of 14 randomized studies with doses ranging from 42-1000mcg demonstrated that when chromium is offered in the form of brewer’s years, it may have a mild impact on fasting blood glucose in patients with diabetes. However, no forms of this supplement affected long-term blood glucose regulation.

A review of 20 randomized trials found that chromium supplementation in overweight and obese individuals may offer mild weight loss benefits. However, it is unclear if the amount of weight loss possible is relevant.

Takeaway: Data supporting chromium’s ability to help regulate carbohydrate energy metabolism is mixed, though mild benefits may be possible. Similarly, supplementation may offer negligible weight reduction.

Cinnamon Bark - 250mg

This spice may offer antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and disease-fighting benefits.

In sedentary, obese women, 5g of cinnamon bark may reduce peak blood glucose after a meal, though it did not affect insulin resistance or sensitivity. A review of 10 randomized trials, cinnamon doses ranging from 120mg/d - 6 g/d over 4 to 18-weeks reduced fasting blood glucose levels.

Takeaway: Cinnamon may play a role in the more immediate regulation of carbohydrate energy metabolism.

Berberine HCL - 250mg

Berberine is an ammonium salt found in plants of the Berberis genus that may have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and diabetes fighting capabilities.

In obese, diabetic rats, berberine reduced body fat and enhanced insulin sensitivity.

In a randomized trial, subjects with metabolic syndrome that were randomized to treatment with 500mg of berberine three times each day for 3-months experienced remission of the syndrome and increased insulin sensitivity, as well as decreased waist circumference and insulin secretion.

Takeaway: The same berberine dose offered in Metabolic Advanced positively affected carbohydrate energy metabolism and waist circumference in those with metabolic syndrome.

Turmeric Root Extract - 100mg

This spice may offer benefits related to inflammation, heart health, and brain function.

Turmeric's many proposed benefits may be related to curcumin, a molecule produced by turmeric plants.

A review of 8 randomized studies found that curcumin supplementation at 70 to 3,000mg per day over 2 to 3-months significantly reduced BMI, but not body weight.

A recent review of 21 studies found that curcumin supplementation at 250 to 2.4g each day significantly reduced BMI and bodyweight, particularly in those with metabolic syndrome, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

Takeaway: There is strong evidence supporting the use of turmeric in reducing BMI, especially in those with metabolic disorders, though Metabolic Advanced offers a dose smaller than what is included in many studies.

Black Pepper Fruit Extract - 10mg

This spice offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, in addition to disease-fighting capabilities.

The pepper extract included in Metabolic Advanced may serve a supportive role by promoting the many benefits of turmeric. It may also function as a prebiotic, helping to boost friendly gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.

In overweight subjects randomized to daily treatment at 6mg, black pepper reduced BMI and body fat, and also improved insulin sensitivity.

Over 3-weeks, 2.5-10 mg/kg body weight of black pepper slowed cognitive in mice with Alzheimer’s.

Takeaway: In addition to its ability to support the effects of turmeric, black pepper extract may offer prebiotic, fat and BMI reducing, and diabetes fighting capabilities at smaller doses than what is included in Metabolic Advanced. To fully characterize its role in preventing cognitive decline, studies with human subjects are necessary.

Is Metabolic Advanced Safe?

Zinc toxicity is relatively unusual, though more likely in those that take supplements vs. those that obtain it naturally.

Excess zinc can be associated with nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and fatigue. Doses as high as 150mg/day were safe.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends selenium dosing for adults to be 30-40μg/day, while up to 400μg each day is considered safe - a level much higher than the daily dose included in Metabolic Advanced.

A review of 15 trials offering chromium at doses of up to 1000mcg had no adverse events. However, diarrhea, headaches, and rashes are possible. No significant side effects occurred in 10 randomized trials with cinnamon doses up to 6g/day.

Berberine doses comparable to what Metabolic Advanced contains were safe over 3-months in 24 patients with metabolic syndrome. Turmeric toxicity is rare; curcumin doses ranging from 3600-8000mg daily over 4-months were safe with only mild nausea and diarrhea reported.

Black pepper is generally safe. Doses at 6mg daily were safe in 86 overweight subjects throughout 2 months.

While the ingredients found in Metabolic Advanced are seemingly safe, discussing your plan to use this supplement with a medical professional is a good idea.

Cost and Purchase Options

While other vendors like Amazon offer many of Gundry MD’s products, it seems as though Metabolic Advanced is only available through the Gundry MD site.

There are no subscription options, though current pricing reflects approximately 45-50% savings. The amount you save depends on the number of jars you purchase. Additionally, all orders are backed by a 90-day guarantee.

A single serving of Metabolic Advanced is 2 capsules. Recommended use for this supplement is 2 servings each day (1 morning serving + 1 evening serving), i.e. 4 capsules daily. One jar of Metabolic Advanced contains 60 servings, or a 30-day supply.

The current pricing is as follows:

• 1 Jar (30-Day Supply): Regular Price: $99 or Sale Price: $49 + $4.95 Shipping
• 3 Jars (3-Month Supply): Regular Price: $282 or Sale Price: $127 + Free Shipping
• 6 Jars (6-Month Supply): Regular Price: $534 or Sale Price: $235 + Free Shipping

As this supplement is relatively expensive, purchasing 3 or 6 jars is the most cost-effective means of obtaining Metabolic Advanced.

Are There Any Alternatives to Metabolic Advanced?

There is a wide variety of energy-boosting metabolic supplements currently on the market, though formulations similar to Metabolic Advanced seem to be less common.

When searching for supplements that are bring marketed to increase energy, extend longevity, or reduce the effects of aging, you’re likely to encounter products that include caffeine, B vitamins, capsaicin, green tea extracts, and much more.

For example, Qualia Mind claims to boost your energy and brain function by offering large amounts of 4 different B vitamins, in addition to caffeine and many other ingredients.

Your one-time purchase will run $140 for a 28-day supply. You’d save 50% on your first subscription order, and pay $119 for each shipment after that.

Ageless Core from BioTrust offers a variety of B vitamins, and like Metabolic Advanced, they also include zinc, selenium, and chromium. The amounts of these ingredients are less than what is present in Metabolic Advanced, and pricing is $39/bottle, $35/3 bottles, and $31/6 bottles.

Obtaining the ingredients offered in Metabolic Advanced individually is possible, though the price for this option can still be substantial. Also, tracking these ingredients down, ordering them, and awaiting their arrival is likely less convenient than purchasing a more comprehensive product.

Obtaining these ingredients naturally is also possible, though still likely less convenient. Also, this can become challenging for those with dietary restrictions and allergies.

Zinc can be found in meat, shellfish, beans and nuts. You can get selenium from eggs, nuts, brown rice, and oats. Chromium is obtainable from beef, fruits, broccoli, and whole wheat items.

Berberine may be a little more challenging than the other ingredients to track down in its natural state - it is found in plants of the genus Berberis and is obtainable in barberry fruit.

Cinnamon, turmeric, and black pepper are easily found in their dried forms at your local grocery store, though whole cinnamon sticks, turmeric root, and whole peppercorns can be obtained.

The Bottom Line

There is good scientific support available for the ability of zinc, cinnamon, berberine, turmeric, and black pepper extract to aid in weight loss, BMI reduction, and carbohydrate energy metabolism.

Metabolic Advanced offers doses for zinc, cinnamon, berberine, and black pepper that seem to be in line with, or beyond those associated with positive results in the available research. The daily turmeric dose is at the low-end range of what has been investigated.

The potential role for selenium and chromium to promote favorable effects regarding weight loss, energy metabolism, or mental decline is mixed at best. Selenium may negatively impact energy metabolism.

These ingredients are generally safe, even at much higher doses. Nonetheless, if you feel you require assistance with energy, weight loss, or digestion, a physician should be included in your management.

Metabolic Advanced is a relatively expensive supplement. Though there is ample scientific support backing some of the ingredients, there may be other more cost-effective means of boosting energy.

Nonetheless, supplementing these ingredients individually or obtaining them naturally can be challenging, and similar products are just as expensive.