| | | Enteric Coating | Enzymes are basic proteins that act as catalysts to regulate the speed at which biochemical reactions occur in our body. They affect the rate, but do not alter the direction or nature of the reactions.
You may have be familiar with a term know as "Enteric Coating". This is a barrier applied to the outside of a tablet containing certain enzymes. The purpose is to control the location in the digestive system where these enzymes are absorbed.
Enzymes derived from animals, such as Pancreatin and Chymotrypsin may need to be enterically coated because their effectiveness will be reduced by stomach acids or other enzymes if left unprotected. They begin breaking down in the intestines. Such is the case with animal derived enzymes.
THE ENZYMES FOUND IN TREVINOL ES ARE PLANT-BASED AND NATURALLY OCCURRING. THEY ARE NOT DERIVED FROM ANIMALS AND DO NOT NEED ENTERIC COATING.
The pharmaceutical grade enzymes developed for Trevinol ES are encapsulated in a vegetarian gel capsule and avoid the heating process used in most compressed tablets. This process can degrade or damage the effectiveness of certain enzymes. Trevinol does not contain any fillers or bonding agents commonly found in compressed tablets.
Our research demonstrates that capsules containing enzymes in a powdered form are more bio-available (easily assimilated) than compressed tablets. This is important because a tablet that breaks down too slowly will fail to provide the specific nutrient benefit at the right intestinal sites, thereby decreasing absorption and potentially causing gastrointestinal upset.
There are many advantages of using supplemental microbial enzymes as opposed to animal derived enzymes. Fermented enzymes have been used in foods for centuries. Microbial enzymes have been specially selected on the basis of each enzyme's unique characteristics. Fermented enzymes exhibit broad ranges of pH, temperature and substrate specificities. Supplemental microbial enzymes are chosen on their ability to work within the gastrointestinal system.
Specially selected for compatibility with the body's temperature, microbial enzymes also exhibit activity across a broad pH range. Unlike supplemental enzymes of animal origin, microbial enzymes work at the pH found in the upper stomach. Food sits in the upper portion of the stomach for as long as an hour before gastric secretions begin action. Several studies conducted at major universities have shown that the enzymes in saliva continue their digestive activity in the upper stomach and can digest up to 30% of the ingested protein, 60% of ingested starch and 10% of ingested fat during the first 30 to 60 minutes after consumption. Although salivary enzymes accomplish a significant amount of digestion, their activity is limited to a pH level above 5.0. Supplemental microbial enzymes are active in the pH range of 3.0 to 9.0 and can facilitate the utilization of a much larger amount of protein, carbohydrates and fat before hydrochloride is secreted in sufficient amounts to neutralize their activity.
Supplemental enzymes of animal origin are destroyed by the low pH within the stomach unless they are enterically coated. Yet, this coating can prevent the dissolution of the enzymes and prevent any digestive benefit. Studies have shown that non-enteric coated products can be more effective than coated products.
Furthermore, animal-based enzymes function only at the narrow pH ranges found at specific anatomical sites. Pepsin is only active in the highly acidic environment of the active stomach. Pancreatin, trypsin and chymotrypsin are only active in the alkalinity of the duodenum. Supplemental microbial enzymes exhibit activity throughout the entire digestive process. Therefore, microbial enzymes can play a significant role in improving food nutrient utilization.
Another advantage of microbial enzymes is the variety of enzymes available for supplementation. While pancreatin offers only protease, lipase and amylase activities, microbial enzymes offer protease, peptidase, lipase, amylase, glucoamylase, invertase, malt diastase, lactase, alpha-galactosidase, cellulase, hemicellulase, pectinase and phytase activities. Pancreatin is a pre-defined blend and the only alternatives are proportional increases in total activity that may not be necessary. Customization and flexibility to match the appropriate enzymes to the diet is another strength of supplemental microbial enzymes.
Yet, another advantage of microbial enzymes is that they are animal-friendly. These enzymes are vegetarian and cruelty-free. In addition, recent studies found that gelatin capsules were preferred by patients for their effectiveness, easiness to swallow, and degree of convenience.
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