About DigestShield®
How Does DigestShield® Work?
DigestShield® is a digestive aid containing a full 650mg per capsule of enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics, including 200 mg per capsule of chitosan. It works by breaking down gluten, dairy, fats, carbohydrates, and protein into small pieces for your body to use, shielding against possible effects such as inflammation and discomfort.
It contains 5 prebiotics, 11 probiotics, and 20 enzymes, all in one capsule. It also helps to restore proper microflora balance by providing a full complement of beneficial probiotic bacteria. (15)
DigestShield® was created at East Tennessee State University by two PhDs and was clinically tested in 2019. It is endorsed nationally by Tom Rogers, MD, founder of Performance Medicine.
Just think of taking DigestShield® as a way of protecting your body with an arsenal of weapons that are used to kick the butt of “bad actors” commonly found in our modern diet.
Digestive Powerhouse
DigestShield® is a digestive aid that makes digestion of everything you eat better, giving you the most nutrition from a meal while protecting against bad actors in your diet.
DigestShield® contains a blend of enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics to assist with the efficient digestion of gluten, dairy, beans (legumes), fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
Here is a typical meal and how DigestShield® works. (References listed below back up the explanations.)
- Gluten: Protease Enzymes and serrapeptase work to break down the gluten and gliadin found in the bread, beer, and processed deli slices. (2, 7)
- Lectins: Vegetarian chitosan protects you from the wheat lectins in the bread.(12-13)
- Lactose: Lactase can break down the lactose found in cheese and other dairy products. (4)
- Phytates: Phytase can break the phytates found in bread and other grains into a form of phosphorus that the body can use. (6)
- Cellulose: Cellulase, hemicellulase, and xylanase all break down the indigestible cellulose found in the cell walls of plants like tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. (5)
- Fats, Carbohydrates, and Proteins: Lipase enzymes break down the fats found in meat, cheese, and condiments. Amylase breaks down the carbohydrates in beer, vegetables, and bread. Protease breaks down the protein in meat, cheese, and bread. (8)
Ingredients
The enzymes in our formula break down gluten, dairy, casein, carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Enzymes are biocatalysts that break the bonds of the food we eat into small enough forms for our body to use. There are many different enzymes found in the human body and they all have specific jobs. Our formulation includes a carefully chosen combination of plant-based enzymes to help you get the most from the foods you eat.
Plant-based enzymes, found in the majority of enzyme supplements, originate from plant organisms that produce acid-stable enzymes. These enzymes are purified and characterized which means their pH is well-known and easily determined. Most of these enzymes can work in a pH range of 2 to 9 without loss of activity.1 This means our blend of enzymes will survive the harsh acidic environment of your stomach. Here is the line-up of enzymes in DigestShield® and what they do:
Protease Enzymes
Protease class enzymes have been shown to have the hydrolytic capacity for breaking down gluten. This means that enzymes in DigestShield® can break the toxic protein, gliadin into harmless constituents before an immune response is triggered.2
Lactase
Lactose is a disaccharide found in milk and other dairy products. Each lactose molecule is composed of a galactose molecule and a glucose molecule bound together. The enzyme, lactase, is required to cleave the bond between these two so that the body can use the individual glucose and galactose molecules. However, many people stop producing this enzyme after the age of two. This enzyme deficiency prevents the breakdown of lactose, which can often lead to gas, bloating, and intestinal pain after consuming milk and other dairy products.4 We have included a dose of lactase in DigestShield™ to break this sugar down for use before it causes any problems.
Cellulase, Hemicellulase, and Xylanase
Cellulose is found in the cell walls of all plants and unfortunately, humans lack the necessary enzymes required to break them down. Usually, since the cellulose will pass through the stomach and small intestine intact, the bacteria in the large intestine will ferment it. This allows us to use some of the energy available from cellulose but it can produce a lot of gas in the process, which can lead to bloating or passing gas. Cellulase, hemicellulase, and xylanase all break down cellulose 5 before they reach the large intestine.
Phytase
Phytic acid is the storage form of phosphorus found in many seeds, cereals, and plant oils. When consumed, it has been shown to bind to essential minerals such as iron, zinc, and calcium. The resulting mineral compound is too large to be absorbed and can lead to nutrient deficiencies.6 Bacteria found in the gut of ruminant animals like cows produce phytase but we do not.6 We include phytase to cleave the bonds of phytic acid, releasing the phosphorus in a usable form and preventing it from causing mineral deficiencies.
Serrapeptase
This protease class enzyme helps to break down proteins. It is not naturally found in the human body but as a supplement, serrapeptase has been shown to reduce inflammation.7
Plant-Based Digestive Enzymes
Lipase, protease, and amylase are terms for the general categories of enzymes that break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, respectively, into small enough particles for absorption in the gut. We include a full complement of plant-based lipase, protease, and amylase enzymes to help you digest and absorb all of the foods in your diet.8 Prebiotics is the term used to refer to fermentable carbohydrates which stimulate and nourish probiotics and beneficial bacteria strains in the large intestine. They serve as a substrate and food for the good bacterial colonies there.9 DigestShield® contains a proprietary mixture of prebiotics and herbs chosen to support the probiotics included in our formula.
Chitosan Oligosaccharide
Chitosan Oligosaccharide in our formula serves the purpose of both prebiotic, lipid (fat) aggregator, and lectin decoy. Plant lectins are anti-nutrient proteins found in many foods we eat including grains such as wheat. Lectins bind to cells in our digestive tract because of the sugar coating, or glycocalyx that surrounds each cell. Different lectins have been shown to have different attractions to specific sugars.10 Wheat lectin, known as wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), has been demonstrated to have a sugar-binding attraction to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, meaning it will bind to that sugar whenever possible.11
Chitosan is a natural source of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. By substantially including it in the DigestShield® formula, we are providing a decoy to which the dangerous lectins in your diet can bind. This means that instead of binding to your gut wall and causing damage, the lectin can bind to your chitosan and be harmlessly carried out of your body during a bowel movement.12-13
Our mushroom-derived chitosan is the first ultra-low molecular weight (3000 Dalton) product of its type in the world. Most sources of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine are derived from shrimp and crab shells. Our chitosan is derived from the cell wall of the oyster mushroom. Additionally, the chitosan in DigestShield® is several orders of magnitude smaller (on a molecular scale, not a dosage scale) than any other on the market. This is referred to as Ultra Low Molecular Weight (ULMW) and provides a much greater binding potential. It addresses harmful wheat lectins, potato lectins, and lectins found in nightshade vegetables, and is capable of binding lipids in the diet to reduce absorption.
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Short-chain FOS serves as a substrate for gut bacteria and is metabolized to short-chain fatty acids. This can lead to lowering the pH in the gut environment and promote calcium absorption.13
Alfalfa Powder
Alfalfa is a rich natural source of prebiotics that can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.14 Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that are beneficial to health. Though we do not yet have a complete understanding of the full scope of the mechanism that these organisms exert on human health, researchers have studied many strains and found them to have beneficial effects.15
| Lactobacillus acidophilus16-18 |  |
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|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus casei19-21 |  |
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| Lactobacillus rhamnosus22-23 |  |
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| Bifidobacterium lactis23-26 |  |
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| Lactobacillus plantarum27-29 |  |
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| Lactobacillus brevis30-32 |  |
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| Lactobacillus salivarius33 |  |
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| Streptococcus thermophilus34-35 |  |
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| Bifidobacterium bifidum36-38 |  |
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| Lactobacillus coagulans39-41 |  |
|
| Saccharomyces boulardii 42-43 |  |
|
Testimonials
“DigestShield” is one of my favorites. Gut issues have been a problem for me most of my life. It helps my digestion, in general, but also especially with foods that contain gluten and dairy. It’s not just for those with gluten intolerance, but also anyone with acid reflux, IBS, constipation or any other related digestive issue.
I’ve used “DigestShield” for a number of years and just wouldn’t be without it. Its almost-immediate effect gives me confidence. It keeps me regular and allows me to be able to eat the foods I want w/out worry. I know others who love it as much as I do. I highly recommend you give “DigestShield” a try.
Patsy S Meridith
Wow! I’ve been experiencing stomach issues for several years, which finally led to an abrupt gluten intolerance earlier this year. Eating the right foods to not give me bloating and pain was always a guessing game, until I tried DigestShield. Over the last 3 weeks, I started taking 1-2 capsules before every meal, and am having ZERO pains or discomfort. For the first time in years! I couldn’t be more pleased! THANK YOU for this product!
Lea Anne Wiles
I wanted to take a little time to show my appreciation for the product Gluten Shield. It has absolutely changed my daughter’s life. Before Gluten Shield she went from 123 lbs. to 98 lbs, Her life was miserable, she couldn’t eat without it hurting her stomach and making her sick. After numerous tests and examinations with nothing helping, Dr. Stephen Fry introduced us to Gluten Shield. He recommended she try it. It was great, she takes it before each meal and it works. She now can eat normally and without fear of stomach pain. Thanks for a great product and helping my daughter live a normal life.
Peggy Hollifield
Amazing product!! I use it regularly to regulate my system and find it helps me stay in good health!
If I experience an ailment I double or triple my regular dosage and find I’m usually better the next day. In fact, this product recently helped me overcome a stomach flu.
I would recommend this product to anyone and often do! I’m grateful to have found something that’s readily available and packed full of powerful ingredients.
D. Hanne
I had lots of digestive issues like bloating, acid reflux after pretty much everything I ate, and nausea. Since taking DigestShield a little over a month I have not had as much bloating after meals, no nausea at all after eating, and the acid reflux is definitely getting better without reflux medicine now!
Laura McConnell
I started eating gluten free, in 2014 when I found out I had Hashimoto’s. I was eating about 95% GF but I didn’t really believe I was sensitive to gluten until the holidays rolled around that first year and I started eating all the goodies. I don’t really have digestive issues like the average person, but the gluten causes painful inflammation in my body. About 2 weeks into January I realized that eating the gluten had made my body feel like it had been hit by a truck. The lymph nodes under my armpits swell and ache and I also get patchy itchy skin, mostly in my scalp.
After I started taking DigestShield (it was called Gluten Shield back then) I found I can eat a little gluten here and there and don’t get the achy side effects and the scalp issues are no longer a problem. Now don’t get me wrong I can’t just eat the all the gluten and take a pill, but if I keep my diet mostly GF and take the DigestShield daily – I can eat an occasional hoagie or slice of cake when I want to and don’t suffer the painful inflammation.
Lori Bowman
I didn’t really have digestive issues per say prior to starting to take DigestShield. I started taking it due to the pre/probiotic blend as I believe everyone should take a quality probiotic for overall gut health since the majority of the immune system is found in the gut. I am also a fan of the fulvic acid which is important for mineral balancing and has complement-fixing activity — helping the immune system function optimally and decreasing inflammation.
Benjamin Ross Curtis
My issue was with gluten or maybe after eating that cheat meal on the weekend! DigestShield took away the bloating, cramping and overfilling sensation! I take it every day sometimes more than once a day depending on what I eat.
GB
Before taking DigestShield I had frequent problems with indigestion & heartburn, especially the first hour or so after meals.
After using Digest Shield regularly on a daily basis I noticed those symptoms gradually began to improve, and now I rarely have any problems with reflux or indigestion at all.
I can highly recommend Digest Shield to anyone that has any GI type problems or symptoms, & look forward to continuing to use it on a daily basis.
Ernie Dickson
Before taking DigestShield, it seemed like I was always bloated and just on the edge of discomfort no matter how closely I watched my nutrition. Dinners with friends were stressful, and I avoided a list of foods every day. Still, it always felt like I had just recently had a reaction to something that didn’t agree with my gut.
As I started taking DigestShield, I was skeptical. It came as a recommendation for my wife from her doctor. Reading about it, I couldn’t help but find myself intrigued. I kept my own digestive discomforts mostly to myself. It was shocking to me how much different and better my gut health felt within the first week of taking DigestShield. Now it feels as if I can eat almost anything, and I don’t suffer inequitably. When we have friends over, I can handle dairy for the first time in decades. If I choose to have an espresso, I don’t have the negative reactions that drove me away from coffee for years. And in general, my weight has stabilized and my pants fit better — unexpected but I’ll take it! When I travel, DigestShield is the most important thing that I remember to pack. My only complaint is that no one developed this supplement earlier!
Jacob Meyer
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