Orthoplex Hydrozyme
Dosage
1-2 tablets of Orthoplex Hydrozyme 20-30 minutes before meals, or as prescribed.
Indications
May help to support healthy:
* Stomach acid
* Digestive function
Contraindications
Hyperchlorhydria, peptic ulcer.
Contains ingredients of porcine origin
Formulations
Betaine hydrochloride 400mg
Glutamic acid 100mg
Pepsin 100mg
Orthoplex Hydrozyme Additional Information
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) secretion assists protein digestion by
activating pepsinogen to pepsin, protects against orally-ingested
pathogens, prevents bacterial or fungal overgrowth of the small
intestine, encourages the flow of bile and pancreatic enzymes
and facilitates the absorption of a variety of nutrients including
folic acid, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, non-heme iron, and some
forms of calcium, magnesium, and zinc.[1]
Hypochlorhydria
Betaine hydrochloride is a source of hydrochloric acid and
has a similar pH to stomach acid. Symptoms of low stomach
acid include fullness after eating, bloating, belching, burning,
flatulence, indigestion and food sensitivities.[1]
One of the most common and harmful effects of ageing is the
loss of digestive power. Numerous studies have shown that acid
secretory ability decreases with age, with over 50% of those over
60 suffering from either hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria. This
loss of acid production results in decreased availability of amino
acids for the building of tissues and enzymes, thus initiating a
more rapid decline in health. One study of the elderly found
their tissue nutrient levels could be saturated through the use
of intramuscular supplementation. Oral supplementation was
ineffective and this may be due to the reduced capability of the
aged to produce gastric secretions and enzymes.
Poor Digestive function
Betaine hydrochloride provides hydrochloric acid to the stomach.
It is involved in the denaturing of proteins.
HCl serves numerous roles in the gastric phase
of digestion, including:
* Denaturing of proteins
* Absorption of nutrients
* Activation of pepsinogen to pepsin
* Protection against orally ingested pathogens
* Stimulation of complimentary digestive processes
Pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme that breaks certain peptide bonds
between amino acids in proteins.[2] Pepsin is most effective in the
very acid environment of the stomach.
Sufficient amounts of hydrochloric acid in the stomach supports
intestinal digestion also. The presence of the acidic chyme,
passed into the duodenum from the stomach, stimulates
the release of pancreatic enzymes and bicarbonate from the
pancreas, facilitating intestinal digestion.
Absorption of Nutrients
A number of nutrients depend on hydrochloric acid for their
absorption and utlisation in the body. These include vitamin
B12,[3] zinc,[4] iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and calcium.
[5] One way in which hydrochloric acid assists in the absorption of
nutrients, is by stimulating the release of picolinic acid
from the pancreas. Picolinic acid facilitates the absorption
of dietary minerals.
Insufficient hydrochloric acid will impair the absorption
of these nutrients and can contribute to any number of
conditions associated with nutritional deficiency.
Associated Conditions
Conditions associated with low stomach acid include diabetes,
arthritis, asthma, anaemia, gastrointestinal dysbiosis and various
skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.
References
1. Kelly, G., Hydrochloric acid: physiological functions and clinical
implications. Alternative Medicine Review, 1997. 2(2): p. 116-127.
2. Tortora, G., Grabowski, SR., Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 8th ed.
1996, New York, USA.: Harper Collins.
3. Schubert, M., Gastric secretion. Curr Opin Gastroenterol., 2003. 19(6): p.
519-25.
4. Sturniolo, G., et al., Inhibition of gastric acid secretion reduces zinc
absorption in man. J Am Coll Nutr., 1991. 10(4): p. 372-375.
5. Recher, R., Calcium absorption and achlorhydria. New England Journal of
Medicine., 1985. 313: p. 70.
