A new food supplement is now available to support the dietary management of gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhoea and constipation [SPONSORED]
A new food supplement is now available to support the dietary management of gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhoea and constipation. Manufactured with sustained release technology, Energast®(sodium butyrate) can uniquely deliver sodium butyrate along the entire small and large intestine, where it’s needed.1-3
Energast may assist in the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) diverticulitis and diarrhoea of different causes. The supplement, distributed by SciGen (Australia) Pty Ltd, contains sodium butyrate – the predominant short chain fatty acid (SCFA) beneficial for colonic health.2
Sodium butyrate is an important regulator of the intestinal environment. Its benefits range from regulation of ion absorption and secretion, through to immune function regulation and anti-inflammatory effects.2
According to Gastroenterologist, Professor Andrew Day, Sydney, reduced sodium butyrate is implicated in many gastrointestinal disorders.
“Butyrate production may be reduced in patients with, or who have had, an unbalanced and low fibre diet, intestinal inflammation, antibiotic use, or bacterial microflora disturbances,” said Professor Day.
“Certain groups of bacteria normally resident in the gut act to digest dietary fibre and produce butyrate. Consequently, the two key factors associated with luminal production and levels of butyrate are dietary patterns (fibre content) and the intestinal microbiota.
“Low fibre intake and dysbiosis (disruption of the normal balance of bacteria) appear to both be linked with the reduced production of butyrate and potential adverse effects.”
“There are a number of SCFAs important for colonic health, however sodium butyrate is readily absorbed by colonocytes and provide around 70 per cent of their fuel.Reduced butyrate may contribute to the development of and/or symptoms seen in IBS, and butyrate supplementation may be beneficial,”said Professor Day.
Most sodium butyrate consumed through diet is absorbed early in the stomach, with little or none making it to the intestines, where it is needed. Foods that contain sodium butyrate include butter, hard cheese such as parmesan, and certain fermented foods. However, a vast quantity of these foods would be required to reach optimal butyrate supplementation through diet alone.
Manufactured with slow release technology, only Energast can deliver sodium butyrate where it is needed – along the entire small and large intestine. Oral butyrate supplements without sustained release are fully absorbed in the stomach where they have little dietary benefit.
IBS is the most common disorder of the digestive tract and may affect 30 per cent of the population at some time in their life.IBS is more common in females than males,and although it can present at any age, the disorder commonly occurs between the ages of 20 and 60 years.5
Practising General Practitioner, Dr Sarah Chu, Brisbane, frequently consults patients presenting with symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain or discomfort, stomach bloating, and chronic diarrhoea or constipation.6
“Although IBS doesn’t damage the bowel, or lead to any other health problems, it can significantly compromise the patient’s quality of life.
“There are various factors that can worsen the symptoms of IBS, such as stress, a low-fibre diet, alcohol and certain medications. Butyrate deficiency may also be an underlying factor of IBS,” Dr Chu said.
“While there is no cure for IBS, patients can work together with their healthcare professional, to develop a tailored treatment plan which may include butyrate supplementation.”
Supplementation is now available for patients who may need additional butyrate. As a dietary food for special medical purpose, Energast may be added to existing therapies. Energastshould be used in combination with a balanced diet and under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
About Energast®(sodium butyrate)
Energast is recommended for adults (aged 18 years and over). The adult dosage is one capsule, twice-a-day with food, for at least three months, or as recommended by a healthcare professional. For children aged seven years and above, the recommended dosage is one capsule, once-a-day with food, for at least six weeks, or as recommended by a healthcare professional.
Energastcomes in a box of 60 capsules, with an RRP of $30. No refrigeration is required.
Available from select pharmacies nationally. For where to buy Energast, visit www.energast.com.au.
For more information, contact SciGen Customer Care on 1800 676 833 or info@energast.com.au.
This release is intended for healthcare professionals only.
References
- Tarnowski, W., et. al. Outcome of treatment with butyric acid in irritable bowel syndrome – preliminary report. Gastroenterologia Praktyczna, 2011:1(8), 43-48.
- Canani RB., et al. Potential beneficial effects of butyrate in intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. World J Gastroenterol, 2011: 17(12), 1519-1528.
- Krokowicz S., et al. Microencapsulated sodium butyrate administered to patients with diverticulosis decreases incidence of diverticulitis – a prospective randomized study. Int J Colorectal Dis, 2014:29, 387-393.
- Data on file.
- The Gut Foundation, Conditions – Bowel Conditions, Irritable Bowel (IBS). Available at:gutfoundation.com.au/ConditionsAccessed 27 June, 2018.
- Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA), Information about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Available at http://cart.gesa.org.au/membes/files/Consumer%20Information/IBS.pdfAccessed 27 June, 2018.
DISTRIBUTOR: SciGen (Australia) Pty Ltd. Suite 1, Ground Floor, 13b Narabang Way, Belrose, NSW, 2085, AUSTRALIA ® Energast is a trade mark of SciGen Ltd.
