Symbiont-GI

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Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors trillions of microorganisms collectively referred to as the gut microbiota. 

These microorganisms help metabolize certain nutrients and drugs, prevent the entrance and colonization of disease-causing organisms called pathogens (bad bacteria), regulate the immune system, and support mental health.

The composition, diversity, and functions of these microorganisms are influenced by many factors but can become imbalanced (dysbiosis) and lead to the development of certain cancers, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, fatty liver, and other chronic health conditions.

Modifying your diet to include more nutrients that feed and support the growth of your gut microorganisms and less of the nutrients that encourage dysbiosis is the best way to stave off chronic disease and live a healthier life. Targeted supplementation with certain nutrients is also an effective approach.

This article provides an overview of PEScience’s Symbiont-GI product, explaining the ingredients it contains and how they provide complete GI support.

Symbiont-GI overview

Symbiont-GI is a product made by PEScience, a supplement company built on scientific evidence, the use of carefully sourced, high-quality ingredients, and strong quality control systems.

It provides three key ingredients intended to provide support for the entire GI tract — from the stomach to the small and large intestines. The stomach helps break down food so that its nutrients can be absorbed in the small intestine. The large intestine helps absorb any remaining water, vitamins, and electrolytes while housing most of the microorganisms that comprise your gut microbiota. 

These ingredients include:

• a complex of zinc and l-carnosine
• digestive enzymes
• a clinically-studied, shelf-stable probiotic

Here’s an in-depth look at each of these ingredients and how they support your GI health.

Zinc and carnosine complex

Zinc is an essential mineral necessary for a healthy immune system, wound healing, thyroid function, and much more. Carnosine is a protein fragment that acts as an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective (protects nerves from injury or destruction) properties. 

Symbiont-GI provides a complex of these two nutrients as PepZin GI, which offers superior health benefits compared with either alone. PepZin GI has been shown to restore the lining of the stomach and other parts of the GI tract (1).

This is important since the cells that line your GI tract can become inflamed and damaged from poor dietary habits, infections, heavy alcohol use, certain medications, and stress. Consequently, gastric ulcers can form and other symptoms such as acid reflux, stomach pain, and bloating can surface.

PepZin GI is the only form of zinc and carnosine that has been reviewed for safety and human use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although high doses of zinc can lead to a copper deficiency since zinc inhibits copper absorption, the dose provided by PepZin GI isn’t enough to be a concern.

Alongside PepZin GI, Symbiont-GI also provides an herb called slippery elm bark. The slippery name stems from the slippery texture of the inner bark when it’s chewed or mixed with water. Slippery elm bark may stimulate the production of mucus and saliva, helping to coat the stomach lining to aid stomach upset and other digestive complaints (2).

Digestive enzymes

Digestive enzymes help break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into their smaller components so you can absorb them. Your stomach, small intestine, and pancreas all make these enzymes. Some are also found in your saliva. 

Without enough digestive enzymes, your body cannot properly digest food and absorb its nutrients. Consequently, food passes through your GI tract largely undigested, which can trigger various symptoms like bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and fatty or oily stools.

Some people don’t have enough digestive enzymes due to conditions that affect the pancreas like diabetes or pancreatitis or that cause inflammation to the cells that line the small intestine. It’s also possible to develop a deficiency in a specific digestive enzyme like lactose as you age.

To aid digestion, allow better nutrient absorption, and potentially alleviate digestive issues, Symbiont-GI provides a complex of 11 digestive enzymes, including lactase to digest milk sugar, and alpha-galactosidase (an enzyme the body doesn’t naturally make) to help break down a certain type of carbohydrate found in beans and root vegetables (3, 4).

It also provides protease enzymes to help digest proteins, which can be particularly useful for anyone who follows a high-protein diet to aid digestion and maximize nutrient absorption.

Probiotic

Probiotics are living microorganisms that confer health benefits when taken in sufficient quantities. Probiotics are different from prebiotics, which are a type of fiber that promotes the growth of good bacteria in your gut.

Symbiont-GI provides one type of probiotic called Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 (LactoSpore). Unlike other types of probiotics, LactoSpore is resistant to both heat and the acidic conditions of the stomach. This allows it to pass through your stomach into your intestines where it can exert its benefits.

LactoSpore specifically has been shown to alleviate gas and bloating and improve digestive symptoms and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. It also promotes healthy bowel movements and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, which offers anti-inflammatory effects and protection from chronic diseases like obesity, liver damage, and cancer (5, 6).

How to take Symbiont-GI

Symbiont-GI is designed to be taken daily. 

One serving is three capsules, and there are 90 capsules per bottle to provide a 30-day supply.

You can choose to take all three capsules with your first or largest meal or take one capsule across three meals. Taking it with your meals provides better digestive support and enhances nutrient extraction and absorption.

Each bottle costs $29.99, but you can save 10% if you subscribe to have it automatically delivered based on your chosen schedule.  

How to eat for gut health

Taking Symbiont-GI alone can be effective for improving digestive and gut health, but you can increase its efficacy by following a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean proteins, and fatty fish.

These foods are rich in prebiotic fiber — which helps feed the good bacteria — and nutrients that offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects like omega-3 fatty acids and beneficial plant compounds called polyphenols.

Diets rich in these foods like the Mediterranean diet have been shown to favorably increase the diversity, composition, and actions of the gut microbiota, helping strengthen the immune system, improve longevity, and reduce the risk of diseases (7).

Conversely, diets like the standard American or Western diet have been shown to create an inflammatory environment in the gut and increase gut permeability — sometimes called leaky gut — which allows harmful compounds like food antigens and bad bacteria to pass from the intestines to the bloodstream where they can trigger an immune response and promote inflammation (8).

Conditions known to involve increased gut permeability, potentially as a result of poor gut health, include (9):

• celiac disease
• inflammatory bowel disease
• rheumatoid arthritis
• irritable bowel syndrome
• diabetes
• fatty liver disease
• lupus 
• thyroid diseases

The Western diet is characterized by high intakes of pre-packaged foods, refined grains, added sugars, and processed meats, and low intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

The bottom line

Symbiont-GI is a carefully designed complete GI support supplement that provides a zinc-carnosine complex, digestive enzymes, and a shelf-stable, clinically-studied probiotic. These ingredients provide complete GI support, from the stomach to the small and large intestines.

Supplemented alongside a diet rich in fiber, polyphenols, and omega-3 fatty acids, Symbiont-Gi is a wise and safe product to positively support the diversity, composition, and functions of your gut microbiota to keep your immune system strong, lower inflammation, and reduce your risk for chronic health conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Symbiont-GI vegan?

While some digestive enzymes and probiotics are sourced from animals, all Symbiont-GI’s ingredients are vegan.

How does Symbiont-GI compare with Complete-GI?

Complete-GI provides the same ingredients as Symbiont-GI but with the addition of prebiotic fiber from oats and glutamine. Complete-GI is also in powder form.

Does Symbiont-GI help with bloating?

Symbiont-GI contains a probiotic and digestive enzymes which have been shown to reduce bloating in some people.

What if you can’t swallow pills?

You can break open the capsules and mix the contents with water, but it’s better to use juice to improve its taste. Otherwise, Complete-GI is a good alternative since it’s a powder and provides the same ingredients as Symbiont-GI, plus prebiotic fiber and glutamine.

Can you take Symbiont-GI while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding?

Because most dietary supplements — including Symbiont-GI — and their ingredients haven’t been well-studied in pregnant or breastfeeding populations, it’s best to check with your doctor first.

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Gavin Van De Walle, MS, RD

Gavin Van De Walle holds a master’s degree in human nutrition and exercise physiology. He is also a registered dietitian. Gavin has a bias for the truth and aims to provide the public with the information they need to make educated and informed health decisions. His work has appeared in a variety of publications, including Healthline, Livestrong, the American Botanical Council, Underwriter Laboratories, Verywell Health, and many more.