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The problem with glucose
Glucose in the normal healthy gut is used to transport nutrients, electrolytes and fluids into the body. In a damaged gut, such as in patients undergoing cancer treatment, the villi become blunted, reducing their regeneration rate, leaving them unable to absorb glucose- bound nutrients and electrolytes. Additionally, glucose has been shown to stimulate intracellular Ca2+ activated chloride secretion. Chloride secretion reduces net fluid absorption, which increases fluid and electrolyte loss (fluid loss/diarrhea) In addition, glucose increases paracellular permeability causing leaky gut.
Together, glucose:
- Increases antigenic translocation into the systemic compartments
- Increases electrolyte and fluid loss
- Contributes to associated health complications such as diarrhea, and dehydration
Research funded by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute 23, a NASA funded consortium of institutions showed that enterade’s® amino acid-based formulation, unlike glucose, did not increase active chloride secretion, improved barrier function and helped to rebuild the GI absorptive structures.
enterade demonstrated superior rehydration compared with sports drinks for both hypertonic and isotonic dehydration. In clinical trials enterade had a 40% better rehydration and electrolyte recovery compares to Gatorade, Pedialyte, ORS and water.
Active Transport: Amino Acids in enterade® vs. Glucose
This image shows the select amino acids in enterade® provide better nutrient transportation and absorption than glucose. They help to facilitate hydration in three areas; the vascular space, interstitial area, and the intracellular area to achieve total body hydration.
Glucose is an inefficient transporter of electrolytes because sodium is not able to be transported out of the vascular space. This imbalance leads to increased fluid loss/diarrhea.
- Amino Acids provide better nutrient transportation and absorption
- Amino Acids facilitate hydration and healthy digestive function
- Amino Acids and glucose initiate active absorption of electrolytes, but glucose also induces chloride secretion
Utilizing Entrinsic Health Solutions’ Amino Acid (A2CT) technology, the select amino acids in the enterade® Advanced Oncology Formula help to rebuild the damaged GI absorptive structure, protect the GI by tightening the gut barrier, and provide total body hydration.