Optimum Digest

Comprehensive Digestive Enzyme Support

Optimum Digest�

?

DESCRIPTION
Optimum Digest� is Nutrition Dynamics, Inc.� natural dietary supplement specifically formulated with bile and active digestive enzymes that act synergistically to assist in the healthy functioning of fat, protein, and carbohydrate digestion.

?
FUNCTIONS

?The pancreas supplies the major digestive enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates and protein, so that the breakdown products can be absorbed in the upper small intestine. Although fat digestion starts in the mouth with salivary lipase, most triglycerides are digested by pancreatic lipase, which is secreted by the exocrine pancreas into the duodenum of the intestine. Pancreatic lipase cleaves triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids, which are efficiently absorbed in the upper small intestine.

?Some carbohydrate digestion takes place in the mouth by salivary amylase, but pancreatic amylase is the major carbohydrate-digesting enzyme. It breaks down starches into maltose and maltotriose, which are further hydrolyzed into glucose by the disaccharidases of the mucosal cells, and then absorbed.

?Protein digestion is initiated in the stomach by pepsin and hydrochloric acid, which denature and divide large proteins into smaller polypeptides. The pancreatic proteinases, trypsin and chymotrypsin, break down these polypeptides into free amino acids, and di- or tri-peptides, which are directly absorbed by the intestinal mucosa.

?Optimum Digest� provides high levels of catalytically active pancreatic enzymes that are specific for fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

Bromelain acts to help prevent allergens from crossing the gastrointestinal tract, and assists in the breakdown of large macromolecular protein complexes. This reduces the chance that these complexes will leave the stomach untouched or in large fractions retaining their recognizable antigenic form that could pass through gastric or intestinal lesions thereby inducing an allergenic response.

??INDICATIONS

?Optimum Digest� tablets may be a useful nutritional adjunct for individuals who wish to supplement their diets with digestive enzymes.

Braden B, Picard H, Caspary WF, Posselt HG, Lembcke B. Monitoring pancreatin supplementation in cystic fibrosis patients with the 13C-Hiolein breath test: evidence for normalized fat assimilation with high dose pancreatin therapy. Z Gastroenterol 1997;35:123-9. Braga M, Cristallo M, De Franchis R, Mangiagalli A, Zerbi A, Agape D, Primignani M, Di Carlo V. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy in post-pancreatectomy patients. Int J Pancreatol 1989;5:37-44. Bragelmann R, Armbrecht U, Rosemeyer D, Schneider B, Zilly W, Stockbrugger RW. The effect of pancreatic enzyme supplementation in patients with steatorrhoea after total gastrectomy [see comments]. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1999;11:231-7. Gan KH, Heijerman HG, Geus WP, Bakker W, Lamers CB. Comparison of a high lipase pancreatic enzyme extract with a regular pancreatin preparation in adult cystic fibrosis patients. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1994;8:603-7. Graham DY. Enzyme replacement therapy of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in man. Relations between in vitro enzyme activities and in vivo potency in commercial pancreatic extracts. N Engl J Med 1977;296:1314-7. Hamosh M. Lingual and gastric lipases. Nutrition 1990;6:421-8. Ihse I, Andersson R, Axelson J. Pancreatic pain: is there a medical alternative to surgery? Digestion 1993;54:30-4. Lankisch PG. Enzyme treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in chronic pancreatitis. Digestion 1993;54:21-9. Latifi R, McIntosh JK, Dudrick SJ. Nutritional management of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Surg Clin North Am 1991;71:579-95. Malesci A, Mariani A, Mezzi G, Bocchia P, Basilico M. New enteric-coated high-lipase pancreatic extract in the treatment of pancreatic steatorrhea. J Clin Gastroenterol 1994;18:32-5. McMahon MJ. Acute pancreatitis: when is enzyme treatment indicated? Digestion 1993;54:40-2.

Simpson KW, Batt RM, Jones D, Morton DB. Effects of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and replacement therapy on the bacterial flora of the duodenum in dogs. Am J Vet Res 1990;51:203-6. Suarez F, Levitt MD, Adshead J, Barkin JS. Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal. Dig Dis Sci 1999;44:1317-21. Van Hoozen CM, Peeke PG, Taubeneck M, Frey CF, Halsted CH. Efficacy of enzyme supplementation after surgery for chronic pancreatitis. Pancreas 1997;14:174-80.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.