Here’s our Onnit Total Gut Health review, including a dietitian’s insights and recommendations
More and more research suggests a healthy gut is the key to better health—from improving brain function to strengthening your immune system, managing weight, and easing digestion. (
1
,
2
) Whether you’re seeking relief from bloating and constipation or simply want to live your healthiest life, a
probiotic supplement
that nurtures a healthy gut could be the solution you’ve been looking for.
The challenge? Finding one that meets all the needs of your digestive system. Onnit Total Gut Health claims to do just that, offering a formula with over 30 ingredients designed to promote a healthy, comfortable gut. Onnit is a well-regarded brand for its Alpha Brain product, but does it deliver the same quality with its gut health product? And how does it stack up against other probiotics?
Our team of dietitians reviewed Onnit Total Gut Health, evaluating ingredients, clinical research, dosages, benefits, and practical details like convenience, price, and taste. Read on to see if it’s the right supplement for you.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.
Onnit Total Gut Health overview
Onnit Total Gut Health is a daily supplement of four capsules you take with meals. It claims to reduce bloating and support your digestion with a unique blend of ingredients. Let’s break down what’s inside and how it might help.
Onnit Total Gut Health ingredients and benefits
This comprehensive formula contains over 30 ingredients, which is a lot to cover, but they fall into three main groups: probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes.
Probiotics
are live microorganisms found in certain foods and supplements, like bacteria and yeast. Adding them to your diet
can support gut, immune, and metabolic health
. (
3
) Onnit Total Gut Health offers a blend of seven well-researched probiotics from the
Lactobacillus
and
Bifidobacterium
families.
-
L. acidophilus
helps block the growth of harmful organisms in your gut, eases inflammation, and helps digest lactose—a sugar in dairy foods that can cause bloating. (
4
) -
L. rhamnosus
,
L. plantarum
,
B. lactis
, and
B. infantis
may relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms like bloating and abdominal pain. (
5
,
3
) -
B. subtilis
and
B. coagulans
could improve nutrient absorption and reduce bloating. (
6
,
7
)
This blend delivers 10 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) per dose, which represents the number of active probiotic organisms. While there’s no official recommendation, experts suggest you need at least 1 million CFUs per dose to notice any real benefits. (
8
) Most supplements aim for 1 to 10 billion CFUs to help the probiotics survive digestion and reach the gut. With 10 billion CFUs, this product fits right in with other top-tier options.
Additionally, Onnit’s formula includes 5 billion CFUs of
Saccharomyces boulardii
, a probiotic yeast at a dosage that may help with antibiotic-related diarrhea. (
9
,
10
)
We like that Onnit uses these well-researched probiotic strains. However, they don’t share the exact CFU amounts for each one. This detail matters because different strains are most effective at specific doses. Without that information, it’s harder to compare this product to clinical studies to gauge how well the product might work. While the overall CFU count is impressive, more transparency about each strain would make it even better, allowing you to supplement with additional strains if needed.
Prebiotics
are substances, usually fibers, that feed probiotics, helping these healthy gut flora work better. (
11
) Onnit’s Total Gut Health formula includes a special
blend of prebiotics
and herbs. It features organic Jerusalem artichoke and dandelion roots, which provide inulin—a prebiotic fiber that supports probiotic growth and activity, particularly
Bifidobacterium
and
Lactobacillus
strains. (
12
)
This blend also includes organic fennel seed and ginger root extract, two herbs traditionally used to relieve bloating and nausea. (
13
,
14
) However, like the probiotic blend, Onnit’s prebiotic blend doesn’t show the amounts of each ingredient, so we don’t know if the doses are enough to see real benefits.
Digestive enzymes
are produced by your body throughout your digestive tract, including your mouth, stomach, and intestines. They break down the foods you eat so you can absorb nutrients properly. Different enzymes handle different foods—for example, amylase breaks down carbohydrates, protease breaks down protein, and lipase breaks down fat.
If your body doesn’t produce enough of a specific enzyme, you might feel discomfort after eating certain foods or macronutrients. (
15
) Therefore, supplementing will help bridge those gaps.
Onnit Total Gut Health includes proprietary blends of multiple digestive enzymes to cover all your bases. However, we believe it’s best to figure out specific enzyme deficiencies rather than taking a bunch of enzymes you may not need.
For additional digestive support, Onnit also includes betaine HCL. This amino acid may boost stomach acid, helping with digestion after meals and protecting your gut from harmful bacteria. (
16
)
Dosing and use
A dose of Onnit Total Gut Health consists of four capsules, each about the length of a quarter. To get the most out of the digestive enzymes, Onnit recommends taking all four capsules at once with your biggest meal.
Each bottle provides 120 capsules, a 30-day supply. We like that you don’t need to refrigerate this product, which is more convenient.
Testing and certifications
A major downside of Onnit Total Gut Health is the lack of third-party testing. Dietary supplements aren’t regulated as strictly as food or medicine. While the FDA requires manufacturers to follow certain safety practices and accurately list ingredients and benefits, they don’t review testing data before a supplement hits the market. (
17
)
This leaves it up to the manufacturer to meet these standards. Onnit products are made in an NSF-certified GMP facility. They also say they test each batch internally to ensure it meets label claims and safety standards for heavy metals and contaminants.
While this is reassuring, third-party testing would provide extra peace of mind. Testing by independent labs verifies product claims and holds companies accountable. Since supplement quality can vary under loose regulations, we prefer products with third-party testing, as we find them more trustworthy.
Aside from this issue, we appreciate that the product uses minimal additives, with only a methylcellulose vegetarian capsule and rice hull concentrate listed as other ingredients. It’s also labeled gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free, so it can accommodate various dietary needs.
Cost and value
A typical one-month supply of Onnit Total Gut Health costs $44.99 or $1.50 per dose. However, you can save up to 35% by signing up for one of their subscription programs. This is pretty expensive for a supplement but falls in the mid-range of similar products.
With its comprehensive blend, you certainly get a lot of ingredients for your money, but you may be paying for more than you actually need.
Onnit Total Gut Health side effects
The ingredients in Onnit Total Gut Health are generally low-risk, but there are still a few things to consider.
Probiotics can be risky for people with weakened immune systems and might interfere with how certain medications work. Some people also experience worse digestive symptoms when taking probiotics, since you are introducing new bacteria to the system. (
18
)
Prebiotics like inulin are fermentable fibers, meaning they can increase gas. While prebiotics help the feeding of probiotics, you may want to avoid these fibers if you follow a low FODMAP diet for
IBS relief
. (
12
,
19
)
Digestive enzyme supplements can trigger allergic reactions or worsen digestive symptoms for some people. They can also interact with certain medications. (
20
)
While each ingredient has its risks, the combined effects of Onnit Total Gut Health aren’t clinically studied. Some users report nausea, gas, or bloating when first starting the product.
With these side effects in mind, It’s important to talk to your doctor before using this supplement to ensure it’s safe for your health needs.
Specs
|
Key ingredients |
7 strains of probiotics, proprietary digestive enzyme blend, organic Jerusalem artichoke, organic dandelion root, fennel seed and ginger extracts, S. boulardii , betaine hydrochloride |
|
Serving size |
4 capsules daily |
|
Servings per bottle |
30 |
|
Cost per serving |
$1.50 |
|
Special diets |
Dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free |
|
Third-party testing |
No |
We’ve featured Onnit Total Gut Health in:
Who Onnit Total Gut Health is recommended for:
- Adults who want a comprehensive gut health formula to support healthy digestion, a healthy immune system, and overall well-being.
- People looking to support gut health with a high-quality, dairy-free, soy-free, caffeine-free probiotic supplement.
- Individuals struggling with frequent bloating, particularly after meals.
Who Onnit Total Gut Health is not recommended for:
-
Immunocompromised individuals. (
3
) -
Preterm infants. (
3
) -
People with underlying medical conditions who have not consulted with their doctor. (
3
)
People following a low FODMAP diet. (
19
)
Compare Onnit Total Gut Health
How we test probiotic supplements
Our goal is to give you all the information you need to choose a supplement that aligns with your health goals and lifestyle. We extensively research all of the products included in our reviews, using our
supplements testing methodology
for scoring.
For our probiotic evaluations and reviews, we use our testing
methodology and scoring system for probiotics
. Based on our general testing methodology system, the probiotic testing and scoring is more specific and includes eight primary categories such as strain type and dose, testing for safety, and cost per serving.
Exclusion of proprietary blends–25%
To make an informed choice when selecting probiotic supplements, it’s important to look for products that provide clear information about the specific strains of probiotics contained in the formulation. Proprietary blends often do not disclose the specific strains and their respective concentrations used in the product. Consumers cannot make informed decisions about the probiotic supplement without knowing the specific strains and their concentrations. Different probiotic strains have different health benefits, and the effectiveness of a product depends on the specific strains used and their viability.
Cultures contained–25%
The effectiveness of a probiotic product depends on the strains it contains, as different probiotic strains offer various health benefits. For example, some strains support digestive health, while others may help with immune function or address specific health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It’s important to select probiotic strains that align with your health goals and needs. Probiotics are identified by their specific strain, which includes the Genus–or classification, or family–and species, which is a further identification within the “family” along with a strain designation.
Whether they’re encapsulated with a food source–20%
Encapsulating probiotics with a food source like inulin can help protect the beneficial bacteria from harsh stomach acids and bile, increasing their chances of survival as they pass through the digestive system and reach the intestines where they are needed. This encapsulation can provide a protective barrier, potentially extending the shelf life of the probiotic supplement.
Whether cultures are alive–15%
Colony forming units (CFU) at the end of shelf life date–10%
In the context of probiotics, CFUs represent the number of live microorganisms, typically bacteria, present in a probiotic supplement at the end of its shelf life. This value indicates the product’s potency and ability to deliver a sufficient quantity of live, beneficial microorganisms to exert their intended health effects. Generally speaking, it is better to have more strains and a variety of them, as our microbiome consists of approximately 38 trillion microbes. Therefore, it is best to have at least 20 billion or more CFUs, equivalent to a drop of water on a vast sea.
Form–5%
Probiotic supplements come in various forms, each with its own advantages and considerations. The choice of which form is best depends on individual preferences, needs, and factors such as convenience and lifestyle.
Certifications
Testing certifications show whether a dietary supplement contains what the brand says it contains in the doses advertised (potency).
Here are the certifications that stand out:
Third-party testing
NSF
U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)
Labdoor
Informed Sport
Informed Choice (ICFS)
Informed Ingredient
Bonus points
To recognize innovation and encourage healthy competition, we incorporate bonus credits into our scores. Bonus points provide a small boost to the product’s overall score and are equally weighted.
FAQs
What does Onnit Total Gut Health do?
How long does Onnit Total Gut Health take to work?
The time it takes to notice results can vary. Some users report improvements in digestion within a few days, especially with reduced bloating. However, long-term benefits like enhanced gut health or symptom relief from IBS may take a few weeks of consistent use.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
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