GI Revive™ – 2023 Dietitian Review

If you came across the supplement GI Revive™ and would like to find out whether it can be beneficial for gut health, you came to the right place!

We will explain what GI Revive™ is and what it contains. We will also check the research behind each compound.

What is a GI revive™?

GI Revive™ is a dietary supplement made by the company Designs for Health®. 

The manufacturer claims it supports healthy intestinal function by coating and soothing the GI lining and promoting the body’s natural GI repair process (1).

It contains a combination of (1):

• Specific amino acids
• Botanical extracts
• Minerals

The supplement comes in the form of capsules and powder (2).

What are the ingredients in GI Revive™?

In this section, we will name the ingredients from GI Revive™ and explain the possible effects on health.

Zinc (from Zinc L-Carnosine)

Zinc is an essential mineral, part of more than 300 enzymes. Research suggests zinc also has a role in intestinal permeability (3).

This mineral showed promising results in different populations. In patients with ulcerative colitis, supplementation can accelerate mucosal healing as an add-on treatment (4).

Zinc supplementation also showed positive outcomes in treating diarrhea in children. Moreover it has become a standard ingredient in oral rehydration salts as it reduces the duration and severity of the episode (5, 6).

L-Glutamine

L-glutamine is an amino acid, a building block of proteins. It has numerous roles in the body, including fueling intestine cells and cells of the immune system (7).

One study showed supplementing l-glutamine to low height-for-age children improved weight-for-height and prevented disruption of the intestinal barrier function (8).

Other research showed that supplementing with l-glutamine could benefit patients with postinfectious IBS and IBS-D (9, 10).

However, the dose of l-glutamine that showed a positive effect in the mentioned trials is much higher than the dose in a daily serving of GI Revive™. 

Therefore, whether the dose of the amino acid could positively impact intestinal barrier function and IBS is unclear.

To learn more about l-glutamine and IBS, read our article: “Do glutamine supplements help IBS symptoms?”

N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine

N-acetyl glucosamine is an amino sugar compound. It is a building block for connective tissues like cartilage and is often used in supplements for joint health.

Some research shows positive outcomes also in IBD patients, where it is hypothesized N-acetyl glucosamine acts as a substrate for tissue repair mechanisms (11, 12). 

More research is needed to confirm the role of N-acetyl glucosamine in gut health.

Citrus Pectin

Citrus pectin is a fiber derived from the peels of citrus fruits. It can benefit gut health by acting as a prebiotic, supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

One study showed supplementing with citrus pectin increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria and reduced the number of harmful bacteria (13).

The same study also showed decreased expression of inflammatory molecules such as IL-6 and TNF-α (13). 

However, research with citrus pectin and gut health showed promising results only on animal models, so further studies are needed to confirm those findings.

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) Extract

DGL is a form of a licorice root extract that has removed the main active compound called glycyrrhizin.

Studies based on animal models suggest that deglycyrrhizinated licorice extract supports the stomach’s mucosal lining (14). 

Unfortunately, more quality studies are needed to examine the impact of this compound on the mucosal lining in humans before we can claim its benefits.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a plant known for its gel-like substance found in its leaves, often used for its potential soothing and moisturizing properties in skincare. 

Some assumptions suggest that aloe vera benefits gut health, but the research has not confirmed this claim.

There are also mixed results of taking aloe vera for IBS (15, 16). We need more higher quality studies to prove if aloe vera benefits IBS.

To learn more about aloe vera and IBS, read our article: “Does aloe vera juice help IBS?”

Slippery Elm Extract

Slippery Elm Extract is derived from the inner bark of the slippery elm tree (Ulmus rubra).

It contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that becomes slippery and soothing when mixed with water.

Although there are suggestions that Slippery Elm Extract can help patients with IBD and IBS, there is no research to prove this.

Mucin

Mucin is a glycoprotein found in various bodily tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract (17). 

In supplements, mucin is sometimes included for its potential benefits in supporting mucosal health and providing a protective barrier for sensitive tissues. 

However, the use of mucin supplements and their effectiveness may vary, and more research is needed to fully understand their impact on health.

Chamomile Extract

Chamomile extract is derived from the flowers of the chamomile plant. 

It is commonly used for its potential soothing properties, particularly in promoting relaxation and relieving mild stress and anxiety. 

Chamomile extract also showed a positive effect in preventing stomach ulcers. However, the research is only on animal models, so we cannot claim the same benefits for humans (18).

Marshmallow root

Marshmallow root is an herbal remedy derived from the Althaea officinalis plant, known for its mucilage content that may soothe respiratory and digestive discomfort. 

It is used in teas and supplements for potential benefits in gastrointestinal health (19). 

Further research is needed to confirm these positive results.

• Okra Extract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a green vegetable with a pod-like shape, often used in cooking for its mild flavor and gummy texture.

It is also rich in polyphenols that act as antioxidants. One research showed a protective role on gastric ulcers (20).

Again, this was animal model research, which means we would need more quality research to learn whether okra benefits humans.

Cat’s Claw

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody vine native to South America, used in traditional medicine for potential anti-inflammatory properties.

Those anti-inflammatory properties only showed positive outcomes in osteoarthritis patients (21). 

There is a lack of studies on the Cat’s Claw and gastrointestinal health.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur-containing compound found in certain foods and used as a dietary supplement. 

It’s believed to support joint health, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Research using mice also suggests it could protect the stomach from gastric ulcers (22).

Quercetin

Quercetin is a flavonoid, a plant compound in various fruits, vegetables, and plants. It is known for its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

This substance has antioxidant activity. Studies on mice also showed it could improve gut barrier functions and reduce inflammation (23).

The results are promising, but we can not draw conclusions based on animal studies due to physiological differences between animals and humans. 

That means further studies are needed to confirm those results.

Prune powder

Prune powder, derived from dried plums, is rich in dietary fiber and sorbitol, a type of polyol.

As it is high in fiber it could help digestion and promote regular bowel movements, as fiber is a natural remedy for constipation.

However, a daily dose of GI Revive™ is only 0.1g of prune powder. Whereas the recommended daily intake of fiber that showed positive health impact is 30g (24).

As the fiber content in GI Revive™ is minimal, it probably will not help you with constipation.

What does GI Revive™ do for the body?

Currently, there is no research on this supplement, so we do not know if this supplement has any effect on the body.

The company claims that GI Revive™ supports gastrointestinal health by (2):

• Regulating inflammatory response
• Coating and soothing the intestinal lining
• Regular bowel movements

These claims are based on the research around each specific ingredient that the supplement contains. We have discussed this in the post above.

Despite the claims about the supplement ingredients, it is important to note that the amounts of the ingredients used in the research were different to those found in GI Revive™.

To truly understand if this supplement is beneficial, we would need research looking at health outcomes using it.

GI revive™ also contains 179% of the recommended daily allowance of zinc for men and 243% for women (25). 

Taking high doses of zinc can, in the long term, cause reduced levels of copper (25). 

According to NSH, taking more than 25 mg daily is not advised (25). Overdose may happen when taking multiple supplements that contain zinc.

How long does it take for GI revive™ to work?

As mentioned, we need research to get feedback on whether the supplement works at all in order to answer this question.

Does GI revive™ cause constipation?

GI revive™ does not cause constipation. 

If constipation occurs, focus on the following lifestyle adjustments:

• Gradually increase fiber intake
• Increase fluid intake
• Incorporate any form of movement 

To learn more about constipation, read our article: “What is constipation and how can you treat it.”

Summary

GI Revive™ is a dietary supplement. According to the manufacturer, it claims to improve gut health. It contains zinc, amino acid l-glutamine and multiple herbal extracts.

So far, we have no research on GI Revive™, and therefore, we do not know the effect of all ingredients when combined.

Written by Barbara Lešnik, Student Dietitian, reviewed by Kirsten Jackson, Consultant Dietitian BSc Hons, RD, PG Cert