Digestive Complete - How it Works

Background

Amylases – enzymes which hydrolyze, break apart, large starches into water soluble, simple sugars such as glucose and galactose. These enzymes are present in both saliva and pancreatic secretions and some require calcium to function.

Glucoamylase - a second type of amylase and a portion of the pancreatin blend, which also reacts with high molecular weight starches to form smaller compounds such as maltose, glucose and dextrin.

Lipases - are water soluble enzymes catalyzing the hydrolysis (breakdown) of tri- and di-acyl fats, which are totally water insoluble, into smaller components which are slightly water soluble for digestion. Lipases act at specific positions on the glycerol backbone of the lipids, so several types of lipases are necessary to completely digest fats. The general nature of lipase activity is closely related to the protease activity of the amidase type enzymes. Lipases, however, are able to remain reactive in a mileau consisting of microscopic fat particles in water, an environment which would otherwise denature and destroy most other enzymes.

Proteases – these important enzymes (Protease 4.5, papain, bromelain) break down complex protein and connective tissues into simple amino acids and di- and tri-peptides by “forcing” water between polymer bonds. Various types of proteases function over a wide pH range and some function best in the absence of oxygen. Many proteases require metals to function, such as zinc or calcium. This wide variety of enzymes is necessary because of the plethora of amide bonds found in proteins and tissues from the innumerable combinations of the 20 and more amino acids composing these foods. Bromelain, especially, has a well-documented history of human use .

Cellulase – primarily for the breakdown of phytobezoars (collection of insoluble cellulose pellets which are blamed for stomach pain) in the stomach into water soluble glucose. Because the activity involves a phase transition from solid phytobezoars to liquid soluble products, the enzyme activity is very assay condition specific.

Pectinase – an enzyme specific for the pectin-polysaccharide, structure internal to fruit skins and pulp. This enzyme converts solid, insoluble fibers into soluble polysaccharides and small oligosaccharides. Because the activity involves a phase transition from solid pulp to liquid soluble products the enzyme activity is very assay condition specific.

Lactase – enzyme, present in the intestinal tract of small children, which catalyzes the breakdown of lactose into digestible galactose and glucose. An important enzyme for those people who are lactose intolerant.

Invertase – an old name for an enzyme which converts the table sugar sucrose into the digestible small sugars fructose and glucose. This reaction is greatly assisted by the acidic conditions of the stomach.

References

1. Food Chemicals Codex: 5th edition, (2003) National Academies Press, www.nap.edu/catalog/10731.html, Appendix V.
2. Walker AF, Bundy R, Hicks SM and Middleton RW (2002). Bromelain reduces mild knee pain and improves well-being in a dose-dependent fashion in an open study of otherwise healthy adults. Phytomedicine 9: 681-686.

Supplement Facts - Digestive Complete

Contains no sugar, starch, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, corn, yeast, wheat, grain, egg, or milk products.

Quality Assurance Statement - Anabolic Laboratories

Founded in 1924, Anabolic Laboratories formulates and manufactures clinical nutrition products. Our expertise in pharmaceutical manufacturing, patient programs, and clinician training sets the standard for health care professionals.

At Biossential Nutrition, we pride ourselves in offering the best products available to our customers. Offering the highest quality products & individual ingredients, as well as ensuring our products are effective & work as advertised, are the mains goals we strive to achieve with our product offerings.

Why We Recommend Anabolic Laboratories Nutritional Supplements

History

Anabolic Laboratories was founded as a nutritional products company in 1924 and became a pharmaceutical manufacturer in 1940. Anabolic Laboratories is one of the oldest manufacturers of nutritional products in the world.

Standards

As a pharmaceutical manufacturing operation, the standards used for raw materials, production and finished product testing exceed the new requirements for nutritional product manufacturing.

Quality

Pharmaceutical standards of manufacturing provide nutritional products with label accuracy, potency and purity as dictated by the USFDA (United States Food & Drug Administration).

Formulas

A nutritional program and clinical formulas that are based on the specifications used in the scientific research.

The Need To Consider Quality:

Of the magnesium supplements tested by ConsumerLab.com, 25% failed to meet quality standards. One magnesium supplement contained only 45.4% of labeled amount, despite boasting a "GMP" (Good Manufacturing Practices) seal on its label, and another supplement provided only 28.8% of the labeled amount.
Reference: ConsumerLab.com, Magnesium Supplement Reviews and Quality Ratings, Posted 5/19/09

Tests by ConsumerLab.com have found multivitamins that were short on ingredients, failed to dissolve properly, or were contaminated with heavy metals.
ConsumerLab.com, New Product Review: Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements, Posted 4/1/09

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that manufacturing problems have been associated with dietary supplements. Products been recalled because of microbiological, pesticide, and heavy metal contamination, and because they do not contain the dietary ingredients they are represented to contain, or they contain more or less than the amount of dietary ingredient claimed on the label.
Reference: June 22, 2007, FDA @ http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dscgmps7.html