pHi-Zymes FAQ

 

Do you have an Allergen statement?

This product is manufactured in an allergen-free facility with regard to the following:

None of the eight major allergens or their derivatives are present: milk, egg, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, soy or wheat.

In regard to Nattokinase: The Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from soy, but there is no soy in it. Also, it is such a strong enzyme that the physical amounts used are actually very small. It does not contain the soy protein that cause allergic reactions in some individual or blood types. It might present a problem only if someone was so hypersensitive that even trace amounts of soy proteins, that theoretically might still exist in the purified enzyme mix, caused problems. To be safe though, you can always start with one capsule and build up to a the recommended dosage.

Do you use magnesium stearate in any of your products?

We do not use magnesium stearate. We use vegetable sourced stearic acid. Some people claim they are identical. They are not. The simplest difference to understand is that magnesium stearate contains magnesium (Mg(C18H35O2)2). Vegetable stearate does not (C18H36O2). It is required as a flow agent whenever you send a powder with any tendency to stick through either a tableting or encapsulation machine. Otherwise the powder gums up the works and jams the equipment. Stearic acid is an essential saturated fatty acid that is found in all vegetable, seed, nut, and animal oils. Although stearic acid can be derived from several sources, including bovine, the most common source in better quality nutritional supplements is vegetable stearic acid primarily from coconut and palm oils. Incidentally, the amount of stearic acid in a typical tablet or capsule is much less than what you'll find in a salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing. (Olive oil is a source of stearic acid.)

How soon can I expect to see my pH go up after taking pHi-Zymes?

pHi-Zymes will certainly help in that regard, but if your primary interest is raising pH, there are far less expensive options such as coral calcium or AlkaZone Alkaline Booster Drops that will raise pH even more. Keep in mind, the primary purpose for using the CMIK pH buffering system in the pHi-Zymes is to improve the efficacy of the formula. Raising body pH is a secondary effect -- and that effect is dose dependent.

Can I take the pHi-Zymes out of their capsule?

We do not recommend taking the pHi-Zymes out of the capsules.They're not absorbed in the stomach; and you don't want them used digesting food in the stomach. They are designed to be absorbed in the small intestine, from there they move on into the bloodstream.

Do pHi-Zymes need to be kept cold?

They can be refrigerated, but a “cool” dry place is fine too. Enzymes (e.g. pHi-Zymes) can be degraded by sustained high heat, but unlike probiotics, they are not alive. If not exposed to excessive heat for any length of time, they are quite stable under normal storage conditions. Being in an “extra” cold environment makes no difference.

I am experiencing gastro-intestinal issues after using pHi-Zymes. Is this normal?

It is not a normal reaction but has happened with a handful of people. In almost all cases, it is simply a matter of taking more than your body can handle. Note: if you have an ulcer or any raw area in your intestinal tract, taking pHi-Zymes can cause discomfort. First time users: If you are experiencing any issues such as nausea, stomach cramps, or diarrhea you are either taking two much, or may be having an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients. Back the capsules down to 1 a day. If you have no discomfort at this level, continue that amount for another two weeks, then you can slowly build to 3 a day. If you continue to have discomfort, stop taking them. For long time users: If you are experiencing a reaction such as nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea you may be taking more than your body needs. Over time, your body and its needs change. You have to listen to your body. What you took years ago may not be the right dosage for you today. Back down the dosage until you reach a level of comfort. If for some reason even the lower amount is causing you discomfort, discontinue use for now and give us a call for more suggestions. Note: one early warning sign that you might be taking too much is if you start experiencing more nose bleeds than normal. Remember, one of the benefits of pHi-Zymes is that they reduce the risk of your body forming dangerous blood clots. If taken to excess, they can cause spontaneous nose bleeds to happen more often than you are used to. Simply back down your dosage until the symptoms go away. And finally, because pHi-Zymes reduce the ability of the blood to form clots, you will want to stop taking them several days before you go in for any elective surgery.

Will taking the enzymes long-term will cause the body to shut down its own ability to produce digestive enzymes?

If that were a problem, then eating uncooked foods would shut down the body's ability to produce enzymes since all raw food is packed with digestive enzymes. When you supplement with enzymes, your body doesn't stop producing enzymes, it just redirects its energy to producing more useful metabolic enzymes.

Can children take pHi-Zymes?

The pHi-Zymes are really too strong for children and should not be used by them.

Does it matter what time of day to take pHi-Zymes;?

No, just make sure you DO NOT take them with food or they will be substantially used up digesting food. For most people, first thing in the morning and before bed at night work best - unless you snack just before bed.

Should I take both digestive enzymes and pHi-Zymes as a regular health routine? Is one type enough?

Digestive Enzymes and pHi-Zymes are very, very different. Digestive Enzymes are designed to be taken with food to aid in the digestion of that food. pHi-Zymes are designed to be taken without food so that they make their way into the bloodstream and work there. If you want the benefits of both, you need to take both.

My feet swell when I fly, will pHi-Zymes help?

Swelling is the result of gravity and blood pooling in the feet. pHi-Zymes won't help with that. On the other hand, since they help dissolve fibrin, they may help your body deal with the consequences of blood pooling and potentially clotting in the legs after a long flight.

I notice that I can breathe better on pHi-Zymes especially when I ski at higher altitudes. Could this be the formula?

Most definitely. The proteolytic enzymes in pHi-Zymes help break up the protein based mucous in the lungs, thereby helping to optimize breathing and lung capacity. In addition, the formula also works to enhance the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.

Do the pHi-Zymes contain gluten?

There is zero gluten in pHi-Zymes.

The bulk of the protease is literally grown from a fungus called

Note: none of the fungus is in pHi-Zymes just the proteases that they produce, and there is no gluten in the enzymes. As for the plant based enzymes used in pHi-Zymes these include papaya, pineapple, and soy. There is no gluten in any of them.

You use MCU's as a unit of measure. What are MCU'S?

MCU's are used only in reference to Papain (and sometimes Bromelain). It is the measure of Papain's activity level. It actually stands for Milk Clotting Units. You might find the following information taken from Part 2 of Jon Barron's newsletter series on enzymes useful. Be suspicious of any enzyme formula that lists the mgs of enzymes present as opposed to the activity level of each enzyme in the formula. Activity level is what you're after. Two batches of the same enzyme of equal weight can have wildly different activity levels. The bottom line is that, when it comes to enzymes, weight measurements are just not useful and can be downright misleading, since there is no direct relationship between weight and units of activity. In fact, an enzyme can still have a weight even if it has been destroyed and has zero activity. When comparing enzymes, if you want an apples to apples comparison, you need to compare activity levels. The internationally recognized and accepted standard for measurement is by Food Chemical Codex (FCC) Units. This is usually expressed in different activity units for each type of enzyme, as in: Protease -- HUTs (Hemoglobin units, tyrosine basis) Amylase -- SKB (named after the creators of the test Sandstedt, Kneen, and Blish ) or DU (used in the brewing industry) Lipase -- LU etc.

What effects do pHi-Zymes have on Protein C and on coagulation?

pHi-Zymes do not affect Protein C, which functions as an anti-coagulant. Instead, the proteolytic enzymes in pHi-Zymes work to break down fibrin, which is a major factor in coagulation and clotting. Note: if you are on blood thinners, be sure and talk to your doctor before using pHi-Zymes as the compound effect of using both together may be more than your body can handle.

Is it better to take my evening dose of Triple Jointed with the pHi-Zymes or the Probiotics?

It's probably best to take them separately. We asked Jon Barron about this, and he said that he takes his evening dose of pHi-Zymes™ about a half hour before bed on an empty stomach. He then takes his Probiotics and Triple Jointed a half hour later, just before bed. That allows the pHi-Zymes™ time to clear the stomach before the Probiotics and Triple Jointed enter.

Do your pHi-Zymes (proteolytic enzymes) list calibrated enzyme activity?

Yes. All of our enzyme formulas list the calibrated enzyme activity level in the ingredient list. Note: calibrated enzyme activity and activity level are synonymous. See Jon Barron'ss warning in his newsletter on enzymes: Be suspicious of any enzyme formula that lists the mgs of enzymes present as opposed to the activity level of each enzyme in the formula. Activity level is what you're after.

How come the pHi-Zymes aren't Certified Organic?

There is no soy in pHi-Zymes. There are enzymes extracted from fermented soy. That is VERY different. As extracted enzymes, by definition, they are identical no matter how the soy is grown. That said, nattokinase is only available from a limited number of suppliers. It's not like buying soy beans, in which case you would have thousands of options including organic. The supplier I chose for the nattokinase is the Japanese originator of the product. They use non-GMO soy. Bottom line: the detail was not overlooked.

Is it true, can proteolytic enzymes enter the bloodsteam?

Some doctors mistakenly believe that proteolytic enzymes cannot be absorbed through the intestinal tract wall because they are too large and that they are instead broken down into their constituent amino acids in the intestinal tract. This is based on old science and is simply not true. There are now hundreds of studies (several dozen on nattokinase alone) that show that enzymes are indeed absorbed intact and easily make their way into the bloodstream where they hitch rides on lymphocytes to freely travel throughout the body.

Could I be killing off beneficial bacteria by taking the pHi-Zymes?

There is no evidence that pHi-Zymes kill beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract. In fact, taking them on an empty stomach speeds up their absorption into the bloodstream, thereby lessening their contact with the intestinal tract -- particularly the colon.

Is Nattokinase the same as Natto?

Nattokinase is not manufactured in someone's kitchen. This is not natto, the fermented food made from soy. This is the enzyme found in natto, extracted and purified to USP pharmaceutical grade. This is all done in pristine, clean environments in large stainless steel vats.

Is the Nattokinase in the pHi-Zymes derived from organic soy?

No. At this time there is not a Nattokinase that is derived from Organic Soy.

Are hives a typical side effect of pHi-Zymes?

No, this is not typical. In fact, it's the first time we've ever heard of this reaction, but that doesn't mean it's not real. Given enough time and enough people using a product, someone allergic to one of the ingredients will eventually appear. It's also possible it may not be an allergic reaction, but rather a cleansing reaction triggered by the pHi-Zymes. Three options: (1) Stop using the pHi-Zymes for now; (2) You can try using just one capsule a day to start with and build up slowly to see if her body can slowly release any toxins that might be triggering a cleansing reaction; (3) Wait until after she does a liver detox before starting to use the pHi-Zymes again. Doing a liver detox tends to minimize many allergic reactions.

Studies show a link of proteolytic enzymes PRSS3 to aggressive prostate cancer. Your thoughts?

There are several thousand different proteolytic enzymes in the body that regulate a multitude of processes in the human body. Each enzyme is different; each process is different. PRSS3 is a specific proteolytic enzyme that may be associated with prostate cancer. As you may have noticed, it is not listed in the ingredients of pHi-Zymes. To give you an analogous concept that may help you feel safer, it would be about like saying, “I read about a bacteria called MRSA that eats flesh. Is there any chance that the bacteria in yogurt could act in a similar way?"" As you can easily see in this example, different bacteria have entirely different properties, some harmful and some beneficial, and what one does has absolutely no connection to what others might do.Make sense?

What form of calcium is used in the pHi-Zymes? Is it a rock mineral, and if so, what role does it play in the formula?

No, we do not use rock minerals in the CMIK-pH+. Note: it is not being used as a mineral supplement, but as a way to adjust pH to optimize the efficacy of the proteolytic enzymes in the formula. For more information, check out Jon Barron's newsletter on how the formula was designed: Systemic, Proteolytic Enzymes

Will pHi-Zymes raise my blood sugar levels?

There is nothing in pHi-Zymes that should raise blood sugar. As for your second question,pHi-Zymes and glucosamine/chondroitin have completely different purposes and effects on the body. Glucosamine is an amino sugar, and chondroitin is a large protein. They provide building blocks for the repair and generation of cartilage. pHi-Zymes® are made from proteolytics enzymes. Their primary purpose is to assist in reducing systemic inflammation throughout your body's soft tissue and in swollen joints.

Would the pHi-Zymes help in the case of Peyronie's disease? Does it dissolve scar tissue?

For obvious legal reasons, it is impossible for us to diagnose or prescribe for specific medical conditions. Also, the causes of Peyronie's disease are unknown, making it even harder to speculate. That said... There is no question that many customers have testified to the ability of Jon Barron's systemic enzyme formula to help dissolve scar tissue and plaque in certain cases. As to whether it would do so in the case of Peyronie's is impossible to predict. Hope that helps!