Description
BioVita Gastro™ is a powerful, thoughtfully crafted combination of plants, proteins and amino acids created to support gut health and good functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. It contains, among others, high-grade L-glutamine, arabinogalactan as well as Perilla frutescens & Aucklandia lappa extracts, all chosen to work together in synergy.*
What Does Our BioVita Gastro™ Formula Contain?
Our BioVita Gastro™ formula contains 8 synergistically chosen ingredients, described in more detail below:
- L-glutamine – 2,250 mg
- Arabinogalactan (from Larix laricina) – 1,500 mg
- Licorice root powder (deglycyrrhizinated) – 350 mg
- Aloe vera extract – 250 mg
- Perilla frutescens extract – 250 mg
- Okra powder – 250 mg
- Green papaya powder extract – 125 mg
- Aucklandia lappa extract – 125 mg
It comes as a capsule-free powder and is suitable for vegans.
Like our other nutraceuticals, our BioVita Gastro™ is free from preservatives, artificial flavorings, colorings and gluten, dairy, soya, yeast, fish & meat.
What Is the Recommended Daily Dosage?
We recommend one teaspoonful per day or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner. It can be consumed with meals.
What Does the Science Say?
Glutamine
Glutamine (L-glutamine in our BioVita Gastro™ formula) is the most abundant essential amino acid, crucial to many physiological processes and a primary fuel for rapidly dividing cells [1].
It is known since long that glutamine can enhance the barrier function of the gut [1], and it has been shown to be safe and beneficial in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) [2,3].
A 2019 randomized, placebo-controlled study by Zhou, Verne et al. featuring 106 participants concluded that glutamine supplementation at 5g / 3x daily significantly reduced severity of symptoms (in particular the frequency of daily bowel movements) as well as intestinal permeability [3].
Arabinogalactan
Arabinogalactan is a polysaccharide, found in a variety of plants but are more abundant in various Larch species (BioVita Gastro™ contains one derived from the American larch, Larix laricina) [4].
It’s been evidenced to be beneficial for digestive health by enhancing our beneficial gut microflora, namely Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus [5]. Emerging research suggests arabinogalactans can also act as a prebiotic [6].
Arabinogalactan derived from Larix laricina (i.e. the one found in our BioVita Gastroä formula) has also been found to support the immune system, in particular against common cold [7, 8].
Licorice root
Enjoying a fundamental role in Chinese herbal medicine [9] and also traditionally used in Europe since prehistoric times [9, 10, 11], licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra or Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) has long been revered for its therapeutic properties with regards to digestive health. Contemporary science corroborates its traditional uses, as detailed below.
Whilst the main bioactive constituent of licorice root is glycyrrhizin, we have opted to remove it from BioVita Gastro™. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice has documented use in treating various types of ulcers [12]. Indeed, licorice was observed to inhibit Helicobacter pylori in vitro, thanks to its other active compounds glabridin and glabrene [13, 14]. A Japanese study from 2002 by Fukai et al. showed that they were also effective against a clarithromycin and amoxicillin-resistant H. pylori strain [15].
There is evidence suggesting licorice also has significant prebiotic effects [16].
In addition to its beneficial effects for digestive health, licorice has been documented to possess immunosupportive, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial and neuroprotective properties [11].
Aloe vera
Normally thought of as a remedy for skin injuries (e.g. burns, cuts, insect bites or eczemas), Aloe vera has also enjoyed traditional use to treat digestive problems [17]. This rationale is verified through modern clinical trials, which evidence Aloe vera’s therapeutic capabilities.
A 2015 clinical trial by Panahi et al. consisting of 79 participants investigated the efficacy and safety of Aloe vera for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease [18]. The active groups were given Aloe vera syrup (10 mL / daily) or the conventionally used omeprazole (20g / daily) or ranitidine (150mg / 2x daily) for four weeks. The study found that Aloe vera’s efficacy in reducing symptoms was “comparable to those of the standard drugs ranitidine and omeprazole in relation to most symptoms”. Crucially, Aloe vera was reported safer and better tolerated by the participants as there were no treatment withdrawals in the group (compared to two drop outs in each of the pharmaceutical groups) [18].
Akin to glutamine, Aloe vera was showing potential to support IBS patients [19]. A Swedish randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study from 2015 involving a proprietary Aloe extract trialled amongst 68 participants note positive results on IBS symptoms such as pain severity and frequency as well as bloating [19].
A Polish study from 2005 suggests Aloe vera was very effective in the treatment of hyperacidity and gastric and duodenal ulcers amongst smokers [20]. There is also evidence suggesting efficacy against acute radiation proctitis amongst radiotherapy patients [21], implying applicability as an adjuvant oncologic therapy.
Asides from its beneficial effects on digestive health, clinical trials suggest Aloe vera to have antidiabetic, antioxidant, cardioprotective, antimicrobial and anticancer effects [17]
Perilla frutescens
Perilla (Perilla frutescens) is an herb belonging to the mint family, originating from East Asia where it has been used as a valuable source of culinary and traditional medicinal uses [22]. It is rich phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanins and natural oils [22].
Leaf extracts of perilla has been observed to ameliorate colitis in vivo in several studies [23,24]. Corroborating this, in vivo results also suggest that monoterpenoid perillaldehyde, a major component in P. frutescensessential oil, has anti-inflammatory effects in the colon (at 100 mg / kg). [25].
Perilla can act synergistically with other plants too. Lee et al. showed that a combination of a perilla and licorice extracts – both part of BioVita Gastro™ – was efficient in inhibiting the growth of H. pylori bacteria in mice, suggesting their joint applicability in the treatment of gastritis [26].
A 2020 single-group study by Di Pierro et al. investigating a perilla and ginger extracts regimen against functional dyspepsia found the combination to be efficient and well-tolerated [27]. 58 men and women were given a nutraceutical containing 150 mg of perilla leaves and ginger root (Zingiber officinalis) extracts twice a day for two weeks. At the end of the study, the participants observed a significant decrease in symptoms (a.o. epigastric pain, heartburn, reflux, diarrhea/constipation) relative to baseline [27].
Furthermore, perilla has been documented to harbor antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-depressant, antitumor and antiviral effects [22].
Okra
Often featuring in asian cuisine, okra (Abelmoschus manihot) has been traditionally used in Chinese for the treatment of chronic kidney disease [28]. It’s rich in flavonoids, amino acids & polysaccharides and boats, on its own, high nutritional value for our health [28].
In vitro studies suggests potential activity against intestinal fibrosis characteristic of Crohn’s disease [29].
In vivo, it has been shown to exhibit gastroprotective, anti-ulcerogenic activity at doses of 250 mg/kg [30] and attenuating colitis by regulating gut microbiota [31].
Okra also possesses documented antioxidant, antidiabetic/neuropathic, ant-inflammatory, antidepressant, antitumor, antiviral and cardioprotective properties [28].
Green papaya
Green papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a tropical fruit boasting many health benefits in addition to its great taste and good looks, in particular anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory antiviral and anti-cancer properties [32].
Crucially, it’s leaves can also be gastro-protective [32]. An in vivo study from 2017 showed its potential in the treatment of gastric ulcers [33, 34].
A 2013 randomized controlled trial with 13 participants involving a proprietary papaya preparation showed it’s efficacy in reducing IBS symptoms (in particular constipation and bloating) [35].
Aucklandia lappa
A common remedy in traditional Chinese herbal medicine against gastrointestinal issues such as pain, distension, lack of appetite & nausea [36], Acuklandia lappa (Saussurea lappa or Saussurea costus; mu xiang) has yet to make a name for itself in the west. Akin to other herbs, it contains alkaloids and flavonoids, though it main constituents are terpenes [37].
Mouse studies have shown A. lappa can inhibit the formation of gastric ulcers in mice and pigs [38], at therapeutic doses of 600 mg/kg [39]. In vivo research found its root extract to be antidiarrheal at 500 mg/kg at a rate comparable to the standard drug loperamide [40].
A small Chinese study involving patients with superficial gastritis concluded that A. lappa sped up the gastric emptying time and discharge of endogenous motilin [41].
Akin to the other ingredients in BioVita Gastroä, A. lappa has been documented to be a strong inhibitor of several strains of H. pylori [41], as well as other bacteria and microorganisms [37].
Other scientific publications suggest A. lappa also boasts potential immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and hepatoprotective qualities [37].
Scientific References
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