pro-fuse

Hi all I am new to the boards so hope I am posting thie right..

I just bought a produce called Pro-fuse, from Dr.. Schram

I use it first thing in the monring, and in my water bottle to go, it makes a flavored water that is great without an after taste.

It is B-12
Vit D
and 10 grams of protein !!

It really seem to calm my hunger..

Let me know if you need help find ing it

Got a website so I can look at it closer?

Pam,

I know the web site is new but here you go ! http://www.profusehealth.com/

I didnt know if you needed the phone number 888-927-7638

Good luck !

When was your surgery ??

Good morning Debra -

My surgery was in November 2007... so I'm creeping up on 3 years post-op. 

I checked their website and I've got a couple observations:

*** B12 - yep, it's got a bunch, but since we swallow it, it doesn't do any good for someone with RNY. We need sublingual B12 (or injections) in order to absorb the vitamin. Anything we swallow doesn't get used.

*** Vitamin D -- usually the type of Vitamin D added to foods as a supplement is Vitamin D2. Their website doesn't specify which type it is, but since they don't say, I assume it's the standard.  Although we DO absorb D2, it's harder for our body to process since it needs to be converted to D3 before it can be used.  We're better off taking D3 directly. So I wouldn't count much of the D in this drink.

*** Protein -- unfortunately the first ingredient on the list is Hydrolyzed Collagen Protein -- which means it's basically crap protein.  They also publish their Amino Acid Profile on their website, so I ran their numbers through the PDCAAS calculator and found their score is 3.4.  Which is very bad. Whey protein, milk and eggs have a score of 100.  Beans and whole grain bread have a score of around 50-60.  So a score of 3.4 is basically doing absolutely nothing for our protein intake - it means our body is absorbing about 3% of the 10g in that bottle of juice, so not even a third of one gram.

Unfortunately not all surgeons understand PDCAAS so they often make recommendations for products based on the marketing pitch of a sales representative who promises big commission on the sale of "bariatric products".  In fact, in last night's support group meeting at my surgeon's office I had to correct the new nutritionist about the recommendation of collagen protein.  Sometimes they just don't pay close enough attention to ingredients and what they mean once they get inside our bodies.

BTW -- this collagen protein recommendation is not WLS specific... it applies to everyone in the world, normal or altered. 

     Thank you for your Imput.  Here is some additional information I thought you might find helpful and interesting.  Hopefully you can use this information and share it at your support group.

    The amount of B12 neede for those who have not had bariatric surgery is only 2.4mcg.  Similar to a sublingual B12 supplement, Pro-fuse has 1000mcg.  This large amount of B12 allows it to be absorbed through the lining of your digestive tract regardless of the availability of Intrinsic factor.  Most bariatric patients find that this amount of B12 is sufficient.  Have your lab work done regularly to make sure your B12 levels are appropriate.

    The D vitamin in Pro-fuse is D-3 which is the active form of vitamin D.  Our bodies do a great job of converting D-2 to D-3 unless their is not D-2 available for conversion, Sun exposion has been limited because of location or skin color, or the individual is advanced in years.  Because of these factors, Pro-fuse was made with D-3.

     Understanding how the PDCAAS works can be complicated.  It is a tool that allows a person to calculate the bioavailability of proteins in foods.  Protein is composed of components called amino acids.  Some of them are essential.  These are the amino acids that our bodies can not produce on their own and must come from food sources.  There are also non-essential amino acids.  These non-essential amino acids can be produced using different combinations of the essential amino acids.  Only certain essential amino acids can make certain non-essential amino acids.  In other words it is essential to have all of the essential amino acids.

     For example: Meat, eggs, and dairy all have a score of 100% on the PDCAAS.  They contain all of the essential amino acids our bodies need.  Grains and legumes are a bit lower with a score of around 50%.  Grains do not have lysine, which is an essential amino acid.  Also, legumes don't contain the essential amino acid methionine.  If eaten together they will complement each other to make what is called a complete protein.  If you calculate the PDCAAS score of grains and legumes together it will equal 100%.

    The PDCAAS score for Pro-fuse is 36% which is similar to the grains and legumes.  Because it has only has 10 grams of protien, 44 calories, and can only be taken up to 3 times daily, individuals will also have to find other sources of protein.  It is important to balance any protein supplement with a variety of other foods to create a well rounded diet.  Furthermore, the protein in Pro-fuse is hydrolysed and broken down to the amino acid level for better absorption.  It has been studied in clinical trials by Dr. G. Blackburn at Harvard and found to be highly absorbed and clinically valuable.  Very few protein supplements have undergone the rigorous clinical trials that the protein in Pro-fuse has.

    In addition, Callagen based protein is and all natural animal based protein with many benefits.  It decreases body fat by putting the bodies' metabolism in a fat burning state.  Collagen protein is good for the skin.  It is beneficial in joint health, and healthy joints lead to a better exercise routine.  It Helps  to increase an individuals energy during the day and at the same time improves the quality of sleep at night.  Most importantly, collagen protein has been proven to increase muscle retention and improve wound healing, both of which are critical for patients having undergone bariatric surgery. 

    Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.  Caitlin Smeenge - Nutritionist
         

Caitlin,

Thank you so much for this claifcation, I was sure that Pro-Fuse was a great product. I am happy to keep adding it to my water.

I find it helps me not be so hungry, so that I can stick to my small meals and snacks.

Thank you again

Great discussion but you left out one thing --- how does it taste?

sounds like a sales pitch to me!

don't know if it is good or bad. But I will stay Old School and just take my vitamins in a form I understand. And can measure the quantities I am ingesting!

taste like grape kool aide to me... I never liked whey as I could smell them before they got to my mouth