Gastragest

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gastragest
SKU: 4064
$25.99

 

Applications for Health Improvement

  • Provides hydrochloric acid to help maintain gastric pH
  • Promotes healthy digestion, especially protein
  • Helps maintain normal gastric flora
  • Helps with belching, bloating and bad breath

 

90 Vegetarian Capsules

 

This formula is designed to support the gastric phase of digestion directly and provide stimulus for the excretion of pancreatic digestive juices in the small intestine. Adequate hydrochloric acid (HCL) is fundamental to healthy protein digestion, nutrient availability and the maintenance of normal gastric flora [1-3]. There is a natural decline in the ability to produce HCL, especially after the age of 60 [1]. There also appears to be an even greater decline in pepsin production related to normal aging [4]. Support of natural gastric secretions and acidity helps support normal digestion, absorption, and immune health [5]. Maintaining an acidic pH in the stomach helps support normal gastric and intestinal flora as well [6-8].

L-Glutamic Acid: Used as an acidifying agent.

Betaine Hydrochloride (HCL): Betaine (also known as trimethylglycine) is a natural substance found in foods such as beets, spinach, and grains. Research suggests that betaine supports cell health by acting as a methyl donor, and this, in turn, supports healthy methionine, homocysteine, and hepatic fat metabolism. Betaine also functions as an osmolyte, which supports the integrity of cells and proteins during fluctuations in hydration, salinity, and temperature. Betaine HCl, the acidic form of betaine, has traditionally been used to support digestion and absorption due to its ability to lower gastric pH [9,10].

Pepsin: One of the first enzymes to initiate protein digestion. Porcine pepsin, in addition to betaine HCl, is provided with the goal of promoting more endogenous pepsin production [4-6].

Gentian Root: Used for centuries to support healthy digestion, gentian contains the bitter glycosides gentiopicrin and amarogentin. Gentian root appears to support digestion by stimulating secretion of saliva in the mouth, hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and digestive juices from the pancreas [11,12].

 

References

  1. Bland J, Liska D, Jones DS, et al. Clinical Nutrition A Functional Approach. 2nd ed. Gig Harbor, WA: The Institute for Functional Medicine. 2004.
  2. Giannella RA, Broitman SA, Zamcheck N. Gastric acid barrier to ingested microorganisms in man: studies in vivo and in vitro. Gut. 1972 Apr;13(4):251-6. [PMID: 4556018]
  3. Lovat LB. Age related changes in gut physiology and nutritional status. Gut. 1996 Mar;38(3):306-9. [PMID: 8675079]
  4. Feldman M, Cryer B, McArthur KE, et al. Effects of aging and gastritis on gastric acid and pepsin secretion in humans: a prospective study. Gastroenterology. 1996 Apr;110(4):1043-52. [PMID: 8612992]
  5. Untersmayr E, Jensen-Jarolim E. The effect of gastric digestion on food allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006 Jun;6(3):214-9. Review. [PMID: 16670517]
  6. Smolin LA, Grosvenor MB. Nutrition: Science and Applications. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2010
  7. Canani RB, Terrin G. Gastric acidity inhibitors and the risk of intestinal infections. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2010 Jan;26(1):31-5. Review. [PMID: 19907324]
  8. Kanno T, Matsuki T, Oka M, et al. Gastric acid reduction leads to an alteration in lower intestinal microflora. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Apr 17;381(4):666-70. [PMID: 19248769]
  9. Craig SA. Betaine in human nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Sep;80(3):539-49. Review. [PMID: 15321791]
  10. New York University Langone Medical Center. Betaine Hydrochloride. http:// www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=21560. Last Reviewed 2011. Accessed March 23, 2012.
  11. Mowrey D. Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine. New Canaan, CT: McGrawHill. 1999.
  12. Vilkin A, Levi Z, Morgenstern S, et al. Higher gastric mucin secretion and lower gastric acid output in first-degree relatives of gastric cancer patients. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008 Jan;42(1):36-41. [PMID: 18097287]

 

SUPPLEMENT FACTS

Serving Size: 1 Capsule

  Amount Per Serving % Daily Value
L-Glutamic Acid
350 mg **
Betaine HCl
300 mg **
Pepsin 1:10,000 (from porcine)
100 mg **
Gentian (Gentiana lutea)(root)
20 mg **