GastroBlast™

Description

GastroBlast™ is a blend of botanical extracts and nutrients with specific antimicrobial activity and gastric mucosal supportive properties.* This combination of substances can be helpful in the management of ulcers and gastritis caused by H. pylori as well as supporting a healthy gastric mucosal tissue.* It is delivered in quick-release capsules formulated for dissolution and action in the stomach and duodenum.

The stomach lining contains a thick layer of mucus that protects it from the harsh acidity of the gastric juices, which are necessary for digesting proteins and killing unwanted organisms that may enter the digestive tract. However, some of these organisms can withstand the acidic environment of the stomach and damage the lining of the stomach, leading to abdominal pain.

Similarly, stress, environmental toxins, a poor diet, dehydration, and an imbalanced composition of organisms in the intestines can also lead to stomach issues such as occasional bloating, heartburn, and an upset stomach.* GastroBlast™ focuses on helping to rebalance the organisms in the stomach and restore a healthy mucosal lining.

Mastic Gum (Pistacia Lentiscus)

Mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus) is a resinous substance from a tree native to Greece and has been used for over 2500 years in the Mediterranean where it is chewed like gum for the purpose of ameliorating stomach pain.1

Modern scientific research has validated the antimicrobial properties of mastic gum, with human and in vitro studies showing it to be effective against multiple strains of H. pylori as well as against E. coli and S. aureus.2-5

Mastic gum may also have anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. In vitro studies demonstrate that mastic gum dose-dependently inhibits the production of the superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide in rodent cells treated with the inflammatory compound TNF-α.6

Mastic gum did not scavenge the free radicals; rather, it reduced their production, leading researchers to hypothesize that this action is likely responsible for some of the anti-inflammatory activity of mastic gum. Mastic gum has been identified as a PPAR agonist, so it may favorably affect processes that result in inflammation or oxidative stress at the level of gene expression as well.7

A randomized, double-blind trial investigating the effects of mastic gum on functional dyspepsia found that compared to placebo, mastic gum resulted in significant improvement in stomach pain in general, stomach pain when anxious, heartburn, and dull ache in the upper abdomen.8

Human and animal studies demonstrate mastic gum’s efficacy in improving duodenal ulcers and protecting against gastric ulcers.9,10

Methylmethionine Sulfonium (MMS)

Methylmethionine Sulfonium (MMS) is a derivative of methionine found in raw cabbage and is often referred to as “vitamin U”, although not technically a vitamin, owing to its being a food-derived factor identified as beneficial for helping with peptic ulcers.

The use of MMS-rich raw cabbage juice has been studied extensively for its beneficial role in aiding healing of damaged and eroded intestinal mucosa. Human research dating back over 70 years supports the use of raw cabbage juice for dramatically improving gastric and duodenal ulcers, including among subjects who made no other changes to their diet or medication regimens.11-14

The antacid drug famotidine typically suppresses the synthesis and accumulation of mucin. Research in rodents shows that oral administration of MMS protects against this suppression.15

Anticonvulsant treatment with valproic acid (VPA) has been demonstrated to lead to gastritis and other gastric disturbances in some patients. Animal models show that MMS protects against VPA-induced damage to the liver, kidneys and eyes, likely owing to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is possible this compound may exert similar effects in gastric tissue.16-18

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) is a well-established anti-ulcer and mucosal supportive botanical. DGL is a mucilaginous herb that supports healthy intestinal function by coating and soothing the intestinal lining and promoting the healing of ulcers and inflamed tissue.

GastroBlast™ contains a potent form of DGL standardized to contain less than 3% glycyrrhizin and guaranteed to contain .75% flavonoids (as glabridin and glabrol). This extract is up to 10 times higher in bioactive flavonoids than non-standardized DGL, and these flavonoids play a major role in improving gastric damage. The flavonoids in licorice have powerful antimicrobial activity against H. pylori, including against strains resistant to clarithromycin and amoxicillin.19,20

The high-flavonoid, very low glycyrrhizin content of this unique DGL allows this botanical extract to work efficaciously without the potential side-effects of high-dose full-spectrum licorice consumption (e.g., hypertension, hypokalemia or fluid retention). In vitro research shows that DGL extract inhibits the adhesion of H. pylori to human stomach tissue—an effect believed to be related to the polysaccharides isolated from DGL (similar to the role of cranberry compounds preventing adhesion of UTI-causing bacteria in the bladder).21

Isolated DGL polysaccharides did not show direct cytotoxic effects against H. pylori, so select compounds in DGL appear to be effective for preventing initial H. pylori colonization, while other compounds with antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties may be responsible for the observed antiproliferative effects.22,23

Zinc Carnosine

Zinc Carnosine is included in GastroBlast™ based on research showing zinc to have beneficial effects for supporting gastric tissue, such as combating H. pylori, supporting the mucosal layer and protecting against ulceration.24

This extends to protecting the intestinal lining against damage induced by anti-inflammatory medications often associated with intestinal mucosal damage. Compared to placebo, zinc carnosine was shown to neutralize the effect of the NSAID indomethacin on increasing gut permeability in healthy human subjects. (The placebo arm experienced a three-fold increase in gut permeability while the zinc-treated group showed no significant change.25)

In a trial of patients with small bowel injury induced by extended use of low-dose aspirin, compared to untreated controls, subjects taking zinc carnosine for four weeks showed significant reductions in the number of reddened lesions and erosions/ulcers, confirmed by capsule endoscopy before and after.26

Zinc carnosine—zinc complexed with the amino acid L-carnosine in a 1:1 chelate—is the preferred form of zinc for this formula because it remains in stomach juice without rapid dissociation and adheres to ulcerous lesions more effectively, after which the L-carnosine and zinc are separated and have beneficial effects on the affected tissue.27,28

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is included for its anti-H. pylori activity as well as its role in tissue regeneration. Vitamin C may be effective both restoratively and prophylactically, although more evidence supports the latter. Low levels of vitamin C in serum and gastric juices have been consistently found in subjects with gastritis and peptic ulcers associated with H. pylori.29

Research indicates a high concentration of vitamin C in gastric juice may inactivate H. pylori urease, an enzyme the organism uses to protect itself against the acidic environment of the stomach, allowing it to colonize.30

As vitamin C is needed for wound healing, it has been shown that patients with bleeding peptic ulcers have lower vitamin C levels than patients with non-bleeding ulcers. Vitamin C deficiency is associated with all forms of gastritis, including autoimmune (pernicious anemia), experimentally induced, and due to H. pylori. Researchers note that H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation “can decimate total body ascorbic acid stores by continually quenching high levels of ascorbic acid at inflammatory sites and destroying it in a hypochlorhydric environment.”31

Since vitamin C deficiency may be as much a result as a contributor to these issues, it is prudent to include vitamin C in a formula designed for patients with gastric inflammatory conditions. Regarding gastric health in general, it is hypothesized that vitamin C may have a role in protecting against gastric cancer induced by N-nitroso compounds, known to be carcinogenic. Vitamin C may help inhibit formation of N-nitroso compounds in gastric juice.32

Directions

As a dietary supplement, take two capsules twice daily between meals or as directed by your healthcare practitioner. Do not use if tamper seal is damaged.

Does Not Contain

• Wheat
• gluten
• soy
• sugar
• animal or dairy products
• fish
• shellfish
• peanuts
• tree nuts
• egg
• GMOs
• artificial colors
• artificial sweeteners
• or preservatives.

References

1. Paraschos S, Mitakou S, Skaltsounis AL. Chios gum mastic: A review of its biological activities. Curr Med Chem. 2012;19(14):2292-302. DOI: 10.2174/092986712800229014.
2. Miyamoto T, Okimoto T, Kuwano M. Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Mastic Gum and their Antibacterial Activity Against Drug-Resistant Helicobacter pylori. Nat Prod Bioprospect. 2014;4(4):227–231. doi:10.1007/s13659-014-0033-3.
3. Paraschos S, Magiatis P, Mitakou S, et al. In vitro and in vivo activities of Chios mastic gum extracts and constituents against Helicobacter pylori. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007;51(2):551–559. doi:10.1128/AAC.00642-06.
4. Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Giannikopoulos G. The effect of mastic gum on Helicobacter pylori: a randomized pilot study. Phytomedicine. 2010 Mar;17(3-4):296-9. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2009.09.010.
5. Koutsoudaki C, Krsek M, Rodger A. Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil and the gum of Pistacia lentiscus Var. chia. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Oct 5;53(20):7681-5. DOI: 10.1021/jf050639s.
6. Triantafyllou A, Bikineyeva A, Dikalova A, Nazarewicz R, Lerakis S, Dikalov S. Anti-inflammatory activity of Chios mastic gum is associated with inhibition of TNF-alpha induced oxidative stress. Nutr J. 2011;10:64. Published 2011 Jun 6. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-10-64.
7. Georgiadis I, Karatzas T, Korou LM, Katsilambros N, Perrea D. Beneficial health effects of Chios Gum Mastic and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: indications of common mechanisms. J Med Food. 2015 Jan;18(1):1-10.doi: 10.1089/jmf.2014.0021.
8. Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Frantzi D et al. Is Chios mastic gum effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia? A prospective randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Feb 3;127(2):205-9. doi:

10.1016/j.jep.2009.11.021.

9. Al-Said MS, Ageel AM, Parmar NS, Tariq M. Evaluation of mastic, a crude drug obtained from Pistacia lentiscus for gastric and duodenal anti-ulcer activity. J Ethnopharmacol. 1986 Mar;15(3):271-8.
10. Al-Habbal MJ, Al-Habbal Z, Huwez FU. A double-blind controlled clinical trial of mastic and placebo in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 1984 Sep-Oct;11(5):541-4. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.1984.tb00864.x.
11. Patel AD, Prajapati NK. Review on Biochemical Importance of Vitamin-U. J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 2012, 4(1):209-215
12. Cheney G. Rapid healing of peptic ulcers in patients receiving fresh cabbage juice. Calif Med. 1949;70(1):10–15.
13. Cheney G, Waxler SH, Miller IJ. Vitamin U therapy of peptic ulcer; experience at San Quentin Prison. Calif Med.1956;84(1):39–42.
14. Cheney G. Vitamin U therapy of peptic ulcer. Calif Med. 1952;77(4):248–252.
15. Ichikawa T, Ito Y, Saegusa Y, Iwai T et al. Effects of combination treatment with famotidine and methylmethioninesulfonium chloride on the mucus barrier of rat gastric mucosa. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 Mar;24(3):488-92. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2008.05667.x.
16. Sokmen BB, Tunali S, Yanardag R. Effects of vitamin U (S-methyl methionine sulphonium chloride) on valproic acid induced liver injury in rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2012 Oct;50(10):3562-6. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.07.056.
17. Gezginci-Oktayoglu S, Turkyilmaz IB, Ercin M, Yanardag R, Bolkent S. Vitamin U has a protective effect on valproicacid-induced renal damage due to its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties. Protoplasma. 2016 Jan;253(1):127-35. doi: 10.1007/s00709-015-0796-3.
18. Tunali S, Kahraman S, Yanardag R. Vitamin U, a novel free radical scavenger, prevents lens injury in rats administered with valproic acid. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2015 Sep;34(9):904-10. doi: 10.1177/0960327114561665.
19. Mukherjee M, Bhaskaran N, Srinath R, Shivaprasad HN et al. Anti-ulcer and antioxidant activity of GutGard. Indian J Exp Biol. 2010 Mar;48(3):269-74.
20. Chandrasekaran CV, Deepak HB, Thiyagarajan P, Kathiresan S et al. Dual inhibitory effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard™) on COX and LOX products. Phytomedicine. 2011 Feb 15;18(4):278-84. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.08.001.
21. Raveendra KR, Jayachandra, Srinivasa V, et al. An Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:216970. doi:10.1155/2012/216970.
22. Velusami.C, Sasikumar Murugan, et.al (2017) Effect of Flavonoid Rich Root Extract Of Glycyrrhiza glabra on Gastric Emptying and Gastrointestinal Transit in Albino Wistar Rats. SOJ Pharm Pharm Sci 4(2):1-4. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15226/2374-6866/4/2/00159.
23. Puram S, Suh HC, Kim SU, et al. Effect of GutGard in the Management of Helicobacter pylori: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:263805. doi:10.1155/2013/263805.
24. Rahnama M, Mehrabani D, Japoni S, Edjtehadi M, Saberi Firoozi M. The healing effect of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) on Helicobacter pylori infected peptic ulcers. J Res Med Sci. 2013;18(6):532–533.
25. Fukai T, Marumo A, Kaitou K, Kanda T et al. Anti-Helicobacter pylori flavonoids from licorice extract. Life Sci. 2002Aug 9;71(12):1449-63. DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(02)01864-7.
26. Asha MK, Debraj D, Prashanth D, Edwin JR et al. In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of a flavonoid rich extract ofGlycyrrhiza glabra and its probable mechanisms of action. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jan 30;145(2):581-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.11.033.
27. Wittschier N, Faller G, Hensel A. Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from liquorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.)inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosa. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Sep 7;125(2):218-23. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.07.009.
28. Pastorino G, Cornara L, Soares S, Rodrigues F, Oliveira MBPP. Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): A phytochemical andpharmacological review. Phytother Res. 2018 Dec;32(12):2323-2339. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6178.
29. Opoka W, Adamek D, Plonka M, Reczynski W et al. Importance of luminal and mucosal zinc in the mechanism ofexperimental gastric ulcer healing. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2010 Oct;61(5):581-91.
30. Mahmood A, FitzGerald AJ, Marchbank T, et al. Zinc carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel integrity and stimulates gut repair processes. Gut. 2007;56(2):168–175. doi:10.1136/gut.2006.099929.
31. Watari I, Oka S, Tanaka S, et al. Effectiveness of polaprezinc for low-dose aspirin-induced small-bowel mucosalinjuries as evaluated by capsule endoscopy: a pilot randomized controlled study. BMC Gastroenterol. 2013;13:108.doi:10.1186/1471-230X-13-108.
32. Matsukura T, Tanaka H. Applicability of zinc complex of L-carnosine for medical use. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2000 Jul;65(7):817-23.
33. Hudson T. Nutrient Profile: Zinc-Carnosine. Natural Medicine Journal. November 2013 Vol. 5 Issue 11.
34. Mei H, Tu H. Vitamin C and Helicobacter pylori Infection: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects. Front Physiol.2018;9:1103. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01103.
35. Pal J, Sanal MG, Gopal GJ. Vitamin-C as anti-Helicobacter pylori agent: More prophylactic than curative- Critical review. Indian J Pharmacol. 2011;43(6):624–627. doi:10.4103/0253-7613.89814.
36. Aditi A, Graham DY. Vitamin C, gastritis, and gastric disease: a historical review and update. Dig Dis Sci. 2012;57(10):2504–2515. doi:10.1007/s10620-012-2203-7.
37. Hussain A, Tabrez E, Peela J, Honnavar P Dr, Tabrez SSM. Vitamin C: A Preventative, Therapeutic Agent Against Helicobacter pylori. Cureus. 2018;10(7):e3062. doi:10.7759/cureus.3062 

 *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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6-Week Healthy Gut HP Protocol

The first 4 are foundational supplements for overall health and immune support. The next 10 are for digestive, immune, and inflammatory support.  The breakfast smoothie is for overall health, digestive support, and cleansing. Refer to recipe for how to make.

Can retest after 6 weeks and repeat another protocol if needed.

**For supplements w/meals, it’s best to take at the beginning or during meals.