PepZin GI™ helps relieve occasional discomfort.*
CLINICAL TRIALS
In a
randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled double blind study, 299
patients suffering with symptoms of gastric discomfort were randomly
allocated to receive either a zinc-L-carnosine complex or a placebo, or
a control drug or its placebo for 8 weeks. Improvement ratings for a
range of symptoms were taken at various points during the trial and
compared with before treatment data. Of the 258 people who completed the
trial, 136 were in the zinc-Lcarnosine group. Of the group, 92% of the
participants were rated as “moderately improved” or better on an
improvement scale across the category of symptoms including heartburn,
tenderness, epigastric pain, diarrhea and constipation after 8 weeks.3
In
another study, 28 patients with gastric discomfort were given a zinc-L-carnosine
compound and monitored for 8 weeks. Improvement was rated on a scale of
subjective and objective symptoms. After 4 weeks, the rate of those
cases that were considered to be “significantly improved” was 68.4%.
After eight weeks, the “significantly improved” number was 68.8%. Over
60% of these patients remained in the “significantly improved” category
well after discontinuation of the treatment, suggesting a lasting effect
of the zinc-L-carnosine compound beyond the time it is taken.4
Maintains a healthy GI environment.*
The
mineral zinc in PepZin GI™ is a critical component to a number of
physiological processes in our bodies. Some of these functions include
growth and metabolism of cells, healing of wounds,and maintenance of
carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.2
PepZin
GI™ may also be able to favorably maintain the bacterial balance of the
stomach and GI tract. Studies suggest that the zinc-L-carnosine co m
pound may have effects on certain strains of harmful bacteria and,
therefore, may be able to help maintain a GI environment that is
favorable to health.1 By supporting the bacterial balance in
the stomach, PepZin GI™ can help maintain a healthy mucosal lining.
Supports the health of gastric cells.*
PepZin
GI™ has been studied for its ability to prevent free radical damage to
gastric cells. In one such study, rat gastric cells were exposed to
ethanol and hydrogen peroxide, two substances known to cause free
radical damage to living cells. Cells were bathed in hydrogen peroxide,
ethanol, zinc-L-carnosine, or a combination of zinc-L-carnosine with
either ethanol or hydrogen peroxide. While the cells bathed in ethanol
and hydrogen peroxide solutions all exhibited signs of damage due to
free radical production, the cells that were bathed in zinc-L-carnosine
were largely protected from the effects of free radical damage. The
authors concluded that the zinc compound directly protected gastric
mucosal cells from oxidant stress and alcohol induced damage.5
Additional research further confirms the gastro-protective effects of
PepZin GI™. In another rat study, stomach lesions were induced by
administration of the chemical monochloramine, a known pro-oxidant
(producer of free radicals). One of the groups of rats was fed the zinc-Lcarnosine
compound prior to being exposed to monochloramine. The researchers found
that the size of the lesions in the group pre-treated with zinc-L-carnosine
was significantly less than the lesions in the control group. The
authors concluded that the zinc compound exerted a beneficial protective
effect against monochloramine-induced stomach lesions.6
The
zinc-L-carnosine in PepZin GI™ has also been shown to slow the
development of aspirin induced stomach damage in rats. The researchers
measurably detected lower levels of TNF-alpha in rats given zinc-L-carnosine
as compared to the control rats. TNF-alpha is an inflammatory cytokine
that is known to be released in response to gastric damage.7
These results may suggest a role for PepZin GI™ in protecting gastric
cells by occasionally reducing the levels of certain cytokines in minor
inflammation of the stomach.
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