Bilex

Bilex, provided by Douglas Laboratories, is a synergistic dietary enzyme formula that is specially formulated for digestive support.

Bilex may be a useful dietary supplement for individuals wishing to support healthy gastrointestinal function.

Serving Size: 3 tablets
Servings Per Container: 30

Active Ingredients:

• Pancreatin 380 mg.
• Ox Bile Extract 380 mg.
• Papain 190 mg

Inactive Ingredients: Cellulose, vegetable stearate and silica

Recommended Dosage:
Adults take 3 tablets daily with meals or as directed by physician.

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children.

The pancreas supplies the major digestive enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of starches (carbohydrates), proteins, and fats, so that the breakdown products can be absorbed in the upper small intestine.

Some carbohydrate digestion takes place in the mouth by salivary amylase, but pancreatic amylase is the major carbohydrate-digesting enzyme. Amylases break down starches to maltose and maltotriose, which are further hydrolyzed into glucose by the disaccharidases of the mucosal cells, and then absorbed. Although cellulose is indigestible by pancreatic and intestinal enzymes, the microflora within the large intestine may degrade it and produce uncomfortable symptoms in the process.

Although fat digestion starts in the mouth with the action of salivary lipase, the great majority of fat triglycerides are digested by pancreatic lipase secreted by the exocrine pancreas into the duodenum. Lipases break down triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids, which are efficiently absorbed in the upper small intestine.

Protein digestion is initiated in the stomach by pepsin and hydrochloric acid, which denature and break large proteins down to smaller polypeptides. In the small intestine, proteases break down these polypeptides into free amino acids, and di- and tripeptides, which are directly absorbed by the intestinal mucosa.

Ox bile extract, pancreatin and papain are included in high potency amounts to support healthy digestion and gastrointestinal function.

References:

1. Bragelmann R, Armbrecht U, Rosemeyer D, et al. The effect of pancreatic enzyme supplementation in patients with steatorrhoea after total gastrectomy [see comments]. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1999;11:231-7.
2. Gan KH, Heijerman HG, Geus WP, et al. Comparison of a high lipase pancreatic enzyme extract with a regular pancreatin preparation in adult cystic fibrosis patients. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1994;8:603-7.
3. Greenberger NJ. Enzymatic therapy in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1999;28:687-93.
4. Layer P, Keller J. Pancreatic enzymes: secretion and luminal nutrient digestion in health and disease. J Clin Gastroenterol 1999;28:3-10