Gastrazyme (Gas and Bloating Support w/Vitamin U) 90 Tabs
Gastrazyme (Gastrointestinal Support w/Vitamin U) from Biotics Research Corp.
Gastrazyme supplies specific nutrients including Vitamin U complex, chlorophyllins and vitamin A, ingredients known to support healing of GI tract which may become stressed due to normal, everyday factors.
This product is gluten and dairy free!
RECOMMENDATION: One (1) tablet three (3) times each day as a dietary supplement or as otherwise directed by a healthcare professional. In cases where ulcers are present, chewing 1-2 tablets before meals is recommended.
GASTRAZYME:
Although digestion begins in the mouth, the gastrointestinal tract is an important component of digestion. From a nutritional viewpoint the gastrointestinal tract is considered one of the most important organs in the body. Maintaining a healthy digestive tract is considered premier in optimal health, as poor digestion can cause a multitude of seemingly unrelated problems. Nutritional health and gastrointestinal health are thus closely correlated.
Gastrazyme combines a number of nutritional components intended to sustain a healthy digestive tract, including: Methionine S-Methyl Sulfonium.
Early studies have recognized the effectiveness of raw cabbage juice in normalizing gastric and intestinal function. Glutamine and methionine derivatives present in this juice are believed to be the active principles. Specific attention has focused on methionine S-methyl sulfonium (MMS) in the chlorinated form. MMS occurs in a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as cabbage.
Traditionally, this compound has been designated “Vitamin U”, although it does not meet the classic definition of a vitamin. MMS is readily absorbed and accumulates in the body, especially in the kidney and liver.1 A variety of sulfur-containing agents, including MMS have documented benefits, including stimulation of the formation of gastrointestinal mucus, and the binding of free radicals.
They may also serve as antioxidants, and act as methyl donors for a variety of acceptors. One study indicated that little damage to rats pretreated with MMS by gavage occurred following exposure to reserpine.2, 3 Similar results were obtained using MMS up to forty hours after ethanol exposure in lab animals.4
Other research has shown that oral administration of MMS or cysteine aided in normalizing gut function in certain patients.5 An additional study concluded that MMS supported the normal healing process of the stomach following exposure to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs).6 It is not surprising then, that such versatile compounds can benefit gastrointestinal health. Vitamin A is required for the normal differentiation and development of epithelial cells, as well as for epithelial cell integrity.
Because the gastrointestinal mucosa is rapidly overturning, its nutrient requirement is relatively high. Vitamin A deficiency has been shown to result in a reduction of cell division and differentiation of the intestinal cells, and consequentially a decline in the number of goblet cells7 in the crypt and villus.8 Inadequate vitamin A status has also been correlated with impaired barrier function of the GI tract,9 as well as immune system impairment10
Other studies have determined that the prevalence and severity of diarrhea diseases are particularly reduced with vitamin A supplementation11, and that supplementation with vitamin A significantly reduced the prevalence of gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea and loose stools.12 Natural Carotenoids, including beta-carotenes, gamma carotenes, zeaxanthin, lutein and cryptoxanthin, are common dietary constituents, notably concentrated in orange and dark green, leafy vegetables. They complement vitamin E as lipid-soluble antioxidants, and indisputably are more effective scavenger of singlet oxygen than alpha tocopherol. In addition to serving as antioxidants, carotenoids are known to support healthy immune function.13
Beta-carotene also supports intercellular communication, and accordingly tissue integrity.14 Natural mixed carotenoids have been reported to be better assimilated and have demonstrated a greater effective lipophilic antioxidant activity in vitro than synthetic beta-carotene.15 Mixed carotenoids have also been shown to exhibit better biological activity than beta-carotene alone.16 Additionally, long-term supplementation (12 weeks) with mixed carotenoids was shown to ameliorate UV damage, resulting in erythema in humans.17
Gamma Oryzanol, a phytosteryl ferulate mixture extracted from rice bran oil, contains ferulic acid, which has documented evidence as a strong antioxidant. Ferulic acid has shown marked antioxidant properties when utilized in in vitro assays, as evidenced by auto- oxidation of methyl linoleate (MeLo) and ascorbate/Fe(2+)-mediated lipid peroxidation in rat microsomes.18 In the evaluation of gamma oryzanol via an oxidation accelerate test, gamma-oryzanol was found to be an organic radical scavenger, with the ability to prevent AMVN-triggered lipoperoxidation, resulting in improved oxidative stability of oils very prone to lipoperoxidation.19
Gamma oryzanol has also been shown to normalize intestinal function in rats subjected to reserpine or physical stress20 as well as in mice subjected to sleep deprivation. 21
Chlorophyllin, a derivative of chlorophyll, has the ability to bind divalent metal ions. Research studies in humans have indicated that DNA damage by aflatoxin can be decreased by as much as 55% through chlorophyllin supplementation.22 A separate study indicated that chlorophyll was able to protect DNA against damage from heterocyclic amines in vitro.23 Chlorophyllins have also demonstrated antioxidant properties. 24
References:
1. Gessler NN; Bezzubov AA. S-methyl methionine (vitamin U) pharmacokinetics in rats and man. Farmakol Toksikol 1987; 50: 49-51. 2. Salim AS. Role of oxygen-derived free radicals in mechanism of acute and chronic duodenal ulceration in the rat. Dig Dis Sci 1990; 35: 73-79. 3. Salim AS. Administration of sulfhydryls to stimulate the healing of ischemia- induced acute gastric mucosal injury in the rat. J Pharm Sci 1991; 80: 539-541. 4. Salim AS. Role of sulfhydryl-containing agents in the healing of erosive gastritis and chronic gastric ulceration in the rat. J Pharm Sci 1992; 81: 70-73. 5. Salim AS. Sulfhydryl-containing agents stimulate the healing of duodenal ulceration in man. Pharmacology 1992; 45: 170-180. 6. Salim AS. Sulfhydryl-containing agents in the treatment of gastric bleeding induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Can J Surg 1993; 36 (1): 53-58. 7. Rojanapo W, Lamb AJ, Olson JA. The prevalence, metabolism and migration of goblet cells in rat intestine following the induction of rapid, synchronous vitamin A deficiency. J Nutr 1980; 110:178-88.[Medline] 8. Warden RA, Strazzari MH, Dunkley PR, O’Loughlin EV. Vitamin A-deficient rats have only mild changes in jejunal structure and function. J Nutr 1996; 126:1817-26.[Medline] 9. Thurnham DI, Northrop-Clewes CA, McCullough FS, Das BS, Lunn PG. Innate immunity, gut integrity, and vitamin A in Gambian and Indian infants. J Infect Dis 2000; 182(suppl):S23-8.[Medline]} 10. Ross Ac, Stephensen CB. Vitamin A and retinoids in antiviral responses. FASEB J 1996; 10:979-985. 11. Duggan, C, Gannon, J and Walker, WA. Protective nutrients and functional foods for the gastrointestinal tract. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 May; 75(5):789-808 12. Barreto M, Santos L, Assis A, et al. Effect of vitamin A supplementation on diarrhea and acute lower respiratory tract infections in young children in Brazil. Lancet 1994; 344:228-31 [Medline] 13. Jyonouvhi H et al. Immuno-stimulating actions of carotenoids: enhancement of in vio and in vitro antiobody production to T-dependent antigens. Nutr Cancer 1994; 21:47-58. 14. Zhang LX, et.al. Carotenoids up-regulate connexin 43 gene expression dependent of their provitamin A or antioxidant properties. Cancer Res 1992; 525707-5712. 15. Ben-Amotz A, Levy Y. Bioavailability of a natural isomer mixture compared with synthetic all-trans beta-carotene in human serum. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996 May; 63(5):729-34. 16. Murthy, KN, Rajesha, J, Swamy, MM, Ravishankar, GA. Comparative evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of carotenoids of microalgae. J Med Food. 2005 Winter; 8(4):523-8. 17. Heinrich, U, Gartner, C, Wiebush, M, Wichler, O, Sies, H, Tronnier, H, Stahl, W. Supplementation with beta-carotene or a similar amount of mixed carotenoids protects humans from UV-induced erythema. J Nutr. 2003 Jan; 133(1):98-101.}
18. Germano MP, D’Angelo V, Biasini T, Sanogo R, De Pasquale R, Catania S. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jan 18; [Epub ahead of print] Evaluation of the antioxidant properties and bioavailability of free and bound phenolic acids from Trichilia emetica Vahl. 19. Juliano C, Cossu M, Alamanni MC, Piu L. Antioxidant activity of gamma oryzanol:mechanism of action and its effect on oxidative stability of pharmaceutical oils. Int J Pharm. 2005 Aug 11; 299(1-2):146-54}. 20. Itaya K, et al. Studies on gamma oryzanol (2) the anti-ulcergenic action. Nippon Yuakurigaku Zasshu 1976; 72:1001-1011. 21. Ichimaru Y, Moriyama M, Ichimaru M, Gomita Y. Effects of gamma-oryzanol on gastric lesions and small intestinal propulsive activity in mice. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi. 1984 Dec; 84(6):537-42. Japanese. 22. Barrett JR. Cancer. Plants provide prevention. Environ Health Perspect. 2002 Apr; 110(4):A180. 23. Dashwood R, Guo D. Protective properties of chlorophylls against the covalent binding of heterocyclic amines to DNA in vitro and in vivo. Princess Takamatsu Symp. 1995; 23:181-9. 24. Ong TM, Whong WZ, Stewart J, Brockman HE. Chlorophyllin: a potent antimutagen against environmental and dietary complex mixtures. Mutat Res. 1986 Feb; 173(2):111-5.