DG Protect (Dairy and Gluten Enzyme)

Endopeptidases and Exopeptidases Digest Gluten†

Breaking down gluten and dairy proteins with digestive enzymes may help alleviate the symptoms associated with gluten sensitivity. The unique combination of endopeptidases and exopeptidases present in DG Protect efficiently degrade both the internal and terminal peptides bonds of the gluten molecule. Specifically, enzymatic action creates the correct endopeptidase cleavage pattern near the long chain amino acids that need to be hydrolyzed by the exopeptidase, producing rapid degradation of gluten. The resultant smaller amino acids may be more easily absorbed by the body.

In vitro gel electrophoresis studies have demonstrated the ability of GlutalyticTM to break down gluten quickly and efficiently under physiological conditions of the body.2

Specifically, an in vitro test has shown the capability of Glutalytic TM to degrade gliadin (the major immune-stimulating protein in gluten) into very small quantities in the time it takes to reach the small intestine (i.e., 90 minutes).

In another in vitro study, compared to other gluten digestive supplements, GlutalyticTM was able to digest all but 4% of the gluten in a 90-minute window.3 GlutalyticTM was later shown to have the capability to hydrolyze the majority of gluten proteins found in common foods over a similar time course.4

Other studies have demonstrated the ability of endopeptidases to hydrolyze gluten and reduce gluten’s immunogenic peptides.5 Gluten and dairy digesting enzymes have the reported ability to effectively reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms associated with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, as well as reduce levels of IgA to maintain normal immune balance.6-8 For example, after consuming a GlutalyticTM product with each meal for 30 days, the GlutalyticTM group showed a significant reduction in GI symptom scores and reduced deamidated gliadin IgA antibody levels.7

Additionally, after one week of using GlutalyticTM, subjects reported decreased symptoms commonly associated with gluten consumption including pain in the upper abdomen, feeling bloated, trouble emptying bowels, and food cravings.8

These studies suggest that the administration of gluten-digesting enzymes may be helpful in significantly breaking down gluten proteins in humans.

This is especially important for those who have sensitivities to the immunogenic proteins in gluten.

Lactase Breaks Down Lactose†

Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down the milk sugar Lactose. Gel electrophoresis testing in vitro has demonstrated the ability of the enzyme blend in DairylyticTM to break down the lactose present in dairy quickly and efficiently over a 90-minute time-period under physiological conditions, with the most rapid degradation of lactose occurring within 30 minutes of enzymatic exposure.9

Human lactose tolerance challenge studies have evaluated lactase’s ability, when given orally as an exogenous enzyme, to degrade varying lactose loads as measured via hydrogen breath test and through subjective gastrointestinal symptom inventories.

One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial found benefit for supplementation with varying lactase preparations when given before a 20g lactose challenge.10 A significant improvement in breath hydrogen levels and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms for lactase enzyme preparations was found compared to placebo.

In humans, digestive symptoms due to lactose malabsorption are often difficult to distinguish from maldigestion/intolerance to other food components (including other dairy proteins such as casein). Thus exogenous lactase supplementation alone may not lead to symptom improvement in all individuals, as is reflected in the large inter-individual variation seen in the lactase supplementation studies.1 For this reason, DairylyticTM combines lactase with other proteases that hydrolyze other dairy proteins, including casein and whey

Proteases Hydrolyze Dairy Proteins Including Casein and Whey Proteins†

Protease enzymes support dairy protein digestion and absorption. Specifically, these enzymes hydrolyze milk proteins into smaller peptides that may be better absorbed by the body and less likely to bind to antibodies and illicit an immune response in sensitive individuals.11

The body’s lack of a sufficient amount of a protease enzyme required for protein digestion may cause gastrointestinal distress and may lead to protein sensitivities, where the body’s immune system recognizes the dairy protein as a foreign substance and may launch a defensive response against it.

Human studies have investigated the role of enzymes in breaking down whey protein, and have reported increased amino acids in the blood after the consumption of enzymes concomitantly with whey protein.12

The enzymes in the DairylyticTM blend have been shown to facilitate overall protein hydrolysis in dairy (i.e., milk protein concentrate and milk protein isolate solutions) under physiological conditions of the human body.11

In vitro analysis demonstrated the DairylyticTM enzyme blend hydrolyzed casein into very small peptides within 30 minutes and achieved complete hydrolysis within 90 minutes.9

The same in vitro analysis found the enzymes contained in DairylyticTM were able to hydrolyze whey protein starting within 15 minutes and led to complete hydrolysis after 90 minutes.9