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Assessment of the Potential Efficacy of Digestol in Enzyme TherapyLenora Pluchino, Dmitriy Smolensky, Ellen Messenger, Randy Lacey

Introduction

Enzyme replacement therapy has been suggested as a viable dietary supplement for weight loss. Even though digestive enzymes have been used for several years to treat various digestive disorders which are caused by enzyme deficiency, we do not beleive it would be beneficial to people who are not deficient in digestive enzymes. There is no study that supports enzyme use as a weight loss supplement. This study focuses on the dietaryt supplement Digestol. Digestol consists of several digestive enzymes in various amounts. These enzymes include papain, bomelain, lactase, amylase and lipase.

Background Information

Enzymes

PapainA sulfhydral protease and esterase from papayas. Crystalline by nature and unreactive until acted upon by mild reducing agents such as cysteine. It is enhanced when heavy metal binding agents are also present. It degrades most protein substrates more extensively than the pancreatic proteases. Papain is a single peptide chain of 211 residues folded into two parts that form a cleft. It has one free SH group which is functional. The Optimum pH is 6.0 - 7.0. Main use is in cell isolation.

Bromelain A mixture of proteolytic enzymes found in pineapples. Can be useful in treating a wide range of conditions, but it is particularly effective in reducing inflammation associated with infection and injuries. Bromelain can digest proteins and may help relieve stomach upset or heartburn, particularly when used in conjunction with other enzymes such as amylase and lipase. The German Commission E recommends 500 mg per day in divided doses with meals for use as a digestive aid. Digestol only contains 50mg. Optimum pH: 4 - 7. .

LactaseEnzyme found in the small intestine, liver, and kidney of mammals that catalyze the breakdown of lactose into the simple sugars glucose and galactose. Lactase is particularly abundant during infancy. The enzyme is thought to be produced by the mucous membrane cells that line the intestinal walls; granules localize in the brush border (a chemical barrier through which food must pass to be absorbed) that coats the intestinal villi. The enzyme is tetrameric, being composed of four identical subunits of 135,000 daltons, each with an active site which may be independent. Optimum pH: 6 – 8.

Enzymes

Amylase An enzyme that releases successive maltose units from the nonreducing end of a polysaccharide chain by hydrolysis of α-1,4-glucan linkages. Amylase is found primarily in the seeds of higher plants and sweet potatoes. It yields a single product: maltose. The enzyme is tetrameric with molecular symmetry. It has been indicated that tryptophan residues are involved at the active center. β-Amylase is specific for amylose chains of six glucose units The four binding sites are independent of each other. Optimum pH: 4-5.

LipaseA water-soluble enzyme of the pancreatic juice, catalyzes the hydrolysis of ester bonds in water–insoluble, lipid substrates such as glycerol and long chain fatty acids. The Enzyme activity is directly related to the concentration of substrate molecules on the interface. Histidine is involved in the active site. Lipase enzymes represent several types of protein folds and catalytic mechanisms, most are built on an alpha/beta hydrolase fold and employ a hydrolysis mechanism involving a serine nucleophile, an acid residue (usually aspartic acid), and a histidine. Optimum pH: 5 - 8.

Criticisms

Conclusion

References

Enzymes are measured not by mass but by activity level. Digestol product label only shows masses of the extracts; It does not state the activity of their product. The following shows a different supplement company which actually standardizes their supplements.

There are no human or animal studies that show any enzymes contribute to weight loss found in pubmed database using varying search parameters.Since these enzymes are plant derived, and the source is not given, some people may have allergic reactions to these enzymes.

After extensively reviewing the details of the product online, it was determined that the use of digestol as an effective dietary supplement has no credibility.

Udani, J, Hardy, M, Madsen DC. Blocking carbohydrate absorption and weight loss: a clinical trial using Phase 2 brand proprietary fractionated white extract. Alternative Therapies. 2004; 9(1): 63-69

http://www.kramerlabs.com/index.asp?template=digestol

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/bromelain-000289.htm

http://www.worthington-biochem.com/pap/default.html

The manufacturer of Digestol claims it can be a supplemental aid in weight loss. Digestol is comprised of a variety of enzymes such as: amylase, papain, bromelain, lipase and lactase. These enzymes are capable of breaking down many of the ingested complex carbohydrates. The mouth and stomach break apart large carbohydrate chains into chyme which is then released into the small intestine. Carbohydrate metabolism largely occurs within the duodenum by pancreatic enzymes. The carbs are processed into monosaccharides (mainly glucose) which are shuttled through the lacteals into the blood stream. Once in the blood, the glucose is taken up by cells and eventually changed into ATP. Any excess energy stores are converted into fat by the body for later use. Therefore, one could conclude that inhibiting digestive enzymes would be advantageous for weight loss. If there are less carbohydrate calories being processed and absorbed by the enzymes, then less excess energy stores can be taken-up to be stored as fat. The referenced study researches the weight loss potential of “Phase 2,” a white bean supplement that inhibits the digestive enzyme, alpha-amylase. Over a course of an eight week study, obese study participants used Phase 2 and had a reduction in triglyceride levels by a factor of three fold compared to participants ingesting placebos (26.3 mg/dL versus 8.2 mg/dL).

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