Technical Data
Description
Healthy digestive function is critical to proper neurological development and function in children.† DigestRight digestive enzymes, part of the Learner's Edge® line of supplements, is a comprehensive plant-based enzyme supplement for children that supports optimal digestion of all types of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.†
The digestive system requires a variety of enzymes to break down food into simple components that can be used by the body.* Enhanced digestion supports optimal nutrient uptake and intestinal health by promoting healthy intestinal permeability, and reducing the impact of the incomplete digestion of casein (e.g. dairy) and gluten-containing products. (e.g. wheat).†
Formulated by leading physicians, the Learner's Edge system of products were designed to be used together to address learning issues in children from different nutritional approaches.† This natural support system gives children the edge they need in today's complex and often unhealthy environment, with support for natural detoxification, digestion, cognition, immune function, and growth.†
DigestRight†:
- Formulated by Dr. Jeff Bradstreet, a leading physician in child neurological development†
- Broad spectrum activity†
- Provides isomaltase activity which is critical for complete carbohydrate digestion supporting healthy development and mental function in children†
- Includes DPP IV activity to support healthy immune function when consuming accidental or hidden gluten in food products†
- High potency, vegetarian formula
Introduction
Enzymes are complex proteins that are produced by living cells and initiate or catalyze specific biochemical reactions in the body.
1 Each enzyme has a specific action it carries out. This action is made possible by the enzyme's ability to interact with and cause changes to occur in its unique substrate or set of substrates.
2
Enzymes are present in the digestive juices. They act upon food, breaking down the complex food components into simpler ones that can be used by the body for energy.2 Digestion cannot take place without the enzymes that are produced in the body or that are ingested in foods. Therefore, the food consumed would not be absorbed and utilized were it not for the actions of enzymes.
How Does It Work?
Healthy digestive function is critical to proper neurological development and function in children.
† DigestRight® digestive enzymes is a proprietary blend of vegetarian enzymes that are active across a broad pH range in the digestive tract.
† As a result of the high potency and broad range of the digestive enzymes' activity,
DigestRight provides superior support of carbohydrate, protein, fat, and fiber digestion in children.
†
Protease I, II, III, IV
Proteases are enzymes that break down protein during the digestion process. These enzymes primarily work in the neutral to alkaline environment of the intestine; however they can function in the stomach as well. Proteins are ultimately broken down into amino acids.
DigestRight contains different proteases to enhance protein digestion in different pH ranges of the digestive tract.† The blend of proteases is active in a pH range of 2 – 10, meaning that this blend is enzymatically active in both the stomach and the intestine.† This range of enzyme activity enhances protein digestion throughout the digestion system.†
The four proteases in DigestRight† are from different species of Aspergillus. Protease I is from Aspergillus melleus. Protease II is from Aspergillus niger and protease III is from Aspergillus oryzae. Protease IV is from Aspergillus niger.
The protease(s) in DigestRight† provides dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) activity. DPP IV is an enzyme that is important to the digestion of gliadin peptides.† DPP IV is involved in the degradation of proline-rich proteins such as gliadin and casein and in modulation of the immune response.† The addition of DPP IV may speed digestion of the proline component of hidden gluten.†
Amylase
Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates. Some examples of food that are high in carbohydrates include bread and pasta. Saliva contains amylase, which initiates the digestions of dietary starches. Pancreatic secretions also contain amylase as well. Amylase breaks down starch into several smaller molecules, including maltose, a disaccharide, and dextrins.
The amylase in DigestRight is active in a pH range of 4-7, which means that it is active in both the stomach and the intestine.† This range of enzyme activity enhances starch digestion throughout the digestion system.† The amylase used in this formula is from Aspergillus oryzae.
Cellulase
Cellulase is an enzyme that breaks down cellulose, a type of carbohydrate. Cellulose is an indigestible fiber found in many fruits and vegetables. This enzyme is used as a digestive aid to break down this complex carbohydrate.†
The cellulase in DigestRight is active in a pH range of 3-7, which means that it is active in both the stomach and the intestine.† Aspergillus niger is the source of the cellulase used in this formula.
Phytase
Phytase is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates. It specifically breaks down phytates, which are present in the leaves of plants. Phytase also supports mineral absorption and bioavailability of iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.†4 The phytase in DigestRight is active in a pH range of 2-7, which means that its activity peaks in the intestine.† Aspergillus niger is the source of the phytase used in this formula.
Lactase, Sucrase, Maltase
Disaccharides, which include lactose, sucrose, and maltose, are further broken down during the digestive process into simple sugars by the enzymes lactase, sucrase, and maltase respectively. Simple sugars or monosaccharides can then be absorbed from the small intestine to be used by the body for energy production.
DigestRight contains three different sugar enzymes to enhance sugar digestion in different pH ranges of the digestive tract.† The blend of the three sugar enzymes is active in a pH range of 3 – 8, meaning that this blend is enzymatically active in both the stomach and the intestine.† This range of enzyme activity enhances sugar digestion throughout the digestion system.†
Lactase breaks down the dairy sugar, lactose, into glucose and galactose. Aspergillus oryzae is the source of the lactase used in this formula. This enzyme is active in a pH range of 3 – 7. The enzyme sucrase acts on sucrose (a sugar) in food, breaking it down into glucose and fructose. The sucrase used in this formula is from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This enzyme is active in a pH range of 3 – 6. Maltase breaks down the sugar maltose into glucose. Barley malt is the source of the maltase used in this formula. This enzyme is active in a pH range of 3 – 8.
The enzymes in DigestRight† provide isomaltase activity. Isomaltase breaks the bonds linking saccharides, which cannot be broken by amylase or sucrase.† Isomaltase activity is therefore critical for complete carbohydrate digestion, supporting healthy development and mental function in children.†
Lipase
Lipases are enzymes that break down fat during the digestion process. Fat digestion begins in the second portion of the small intestine with the action of the pancreatic lipases. These enzymes break down fat into fatty acids. The lipase enzymes, along with bile salts, are responsible for the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, and K.
DigestRight contains different lipases to enhance fat digestion in different pH ranges of the digestive tract.† This blend of the lipases is active in a pH range of 4 – 8, meaning that it is enzymatically active primarily in the intestine where fat absorption occurs.†
Lipase I is from Rhizopus oryzae. Lipase II is from Aspergillus niger.
pH and Enzyme Activity
The digestive tract, which includes the stomach, small intestines, and large intestines, has varying pH levels throughout. The stomach's pH is very acidic while the pH of the intestines is alkaline. Because of this pH variation, the enzymes involved in the digestion process need to be optimally active at different pH levels.5
For example, the enzyme amylase has an activity over a certain pH range. This means that the enzyme “works” or is active in a pH range of 4 – 7. Because of this range of activity, it is often tested using different analytical methods to measure its enzyme activity at different pH's. Using the USP Method XXI that tests the enzyme activity at a pH of 6.8, the amylase had an activity of 6,700 USP units. Using the FCC Method IV that tests the enzyme activity at a pH of 4.8, the amylase had an activity of 6,000 DU (dextrinizing units).
The amylase enzyme example above applies to all the different types of enzymes, such as proteases, lipases, etc. This example shows that the same enzyme can have two different activity levels when exposed to different pH's. This illustrates that enzyme activity is not based on the amount of enzyme present, but rather how fast the enzyme breaks down the substrate within the given parameters of the test method such as pH or temperature.
It is impossible to make direct comparisons between different measurement units (such as the FIP unit, USP unit, and FCC unit). Different enzymes act upon different substrates and their enzyme activity is measured using different methods. The enzymes used in DigestRight† are tested for potency and activity using the most validated test method that is applicable to that type of enzyme.
The following chart summarizes the optimum pH ranges in which the different digestive enzymes in DigestRight®† digestive enzymes are most active.
| Carbohydrate Digestion | pH Range | Enzyme Activity |
| Amylase |
4-7 |
6,700 USP
6,000 DU
|
| Phytase |
2-7 |
0.64 PU |
| Lactase |
3-7 |
2,400 LacU |
| Sucrase |
3-6 |
300 INVU |
| Cellulase |
3-7 |
124 CU |
| Maltase |
3-8 |
10,800 DPº |
Protein Digestion | pH Range | Enzyme Activity |
Protease I
Protease II
Protease II
Protease IV
|
2-10 |
14,500 USP
20,200 PC
34,300 HUT
2,000 CFAU
| |
FatDigestion | pH Range | Enzyme Activity |
Lipase I
Lipase II
|
3-8 |
630 LU
300 LU
| |
Conclusion
Many of today's foods are treated to remove natural enzymes in order to preserve shelf life. This process can make the products difficult to digest and can reduce their health benefits.6,7 Formulated by a leading physician in neurological development, DigestRight® digestive enzymes, a blend of vegetarian enzymes (in a vegetable capsule) that are active across a broad pH range in the digestive tract can enhance digestion and support optimal nutrient uptake in children.†
Recommendations
Take 1 to 2 UltraCaps™ with each meal or snack, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner. Average serving is 1 UltraCap at beginning of meals. A second UltraCap may be taken near the middle of the meal. If desired, UltraCaps may be opened and contents mixed into a small quantity of cold food. Follow immediately with untreated food.
Precautions
If pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs, consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use.
WARNING: Do not chew UltraCaps. Do not use if gastritis, peptic ulcer, or heartburn is present. When mixing UltraCaps contents in foods, avoid contact with eyes and inhalation of powder. Changes in food consistency may occur when mixed with UltraCap contents.
How Is It Supplied?
Storage Recommendations
Store at controlled room temperature, 59° to 86°F (15° – 30°C).
References
- Enzyme. In: Wardlaw GM, Insel PM. Perspectives In Nutrition. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 1993:12.
- Enzymes in digestion. In: Wardlaw GM, Insel PM. Perspectives In Nutrition. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 1993:178-9.
- Cellulase. In: Cichoke AJ. The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group; 1999:47.
- Phytase. In: Cichoke AJ. The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group; 1999:51.
- The Stomach. In: Grodner M, Anderson SL, DeYoung S, ed. Foundations and Clinical Applications of Nutrition: A Nursing Approach. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2000:70.
- Rungapamestry V, Duncan AJ, Fuller Z, Ratcliffe B. Changes in glucosinolate concentrations, myrosinase activity, and production of metabolites of glucosinolates in cabbage (Brassica oleracea Var. capitata) cooked for different durations. J Agric Food Chem. 2006;54(20):7628-34.
- Link LB, Potter JD. Raw versus cooked vegetables and cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2004;13(9):1422-35.