Question:
Where do Pre-digested liquid proteins come from?

How are the pre-digested? I know this may sound completely idiotic.. but I was just curious.    — Bridget P. (posted on March 22, 2002)


March 21, 2002
Bridget, I am sorry, I don't have an answer for you. But the term "predigested protein" just conjurs up too many visuals for me to even consider using it!
   — Donna L.

March 22, 2002
I have the Challenge pre-digested liquid protein in cherry flavor that you get at GNC. The label says that it has hydrolyzed animal collagen, fructose and water in it. All I know is that it has 18 grams of protein for 3 tablespoons. Mix it into a crystal lite or some koolaid and you have a great source of protein.
   — Cindy R.

March 22, 2002
I have thought of asking the exact same question. How in the world is it pre-digested? The thought of it is kind of scary. I hope someone has the answers and its not as bad as it sounds!!
   — Cheri M.

March 22, 2002
Let me take a stab at this although my Biochemistry days are now far behind me! (I do have a Biology degree, tho!)Proteins are long, folded strings of amino acids. The body can use individual amino acids but to do that it has to break apart the strings. Some amino acid combinations are more easily broken apart than others. I am assuming that for predigested proteins, they chemically broke the proteins into small strings of amino acids that are easily broken, absorbed, and used by the body. This is done with a chemical reaction, not a "swallow and fetch" procedure which is what it sounds like. Gross! LOL By doing this they ensure that you will absorb the protein whereas if the protein is not broken up, much of the amino acids will remain "stuck together" and pass through your system unabsorbed. Hope this helps!
   — ctyst

March 22, 2002
Wait! Take out the gross factor. DIGESTION is what occurs in the lower stomach. Food goes in, enzymes & acids all churn around (see washing machine for visual), and the chemicals break down the food into absorbable molecules. Then this now gastric cocktail (with food) heads out thru the duodenum into the intestine where it is absorbed in a certain order (protein at the top, then iron, calcium, etc) and so on, all the way down the line, each point of the intestine being in charge of absorbing certain elements. SINCE the food in an RNY or BPD person never hits the lower stomach, it does not get "DIGESTED", which in turn hampers absorption in two ways. Firstly, hard to absorb undigested food. (put crude oil from the ground directly into your gas tank, turn key). Secondly, all of us are missing at least the first 12 inches of that intestine, which was in charge of absorbing protein, iron, calcium, A, D, E, zinc & B12 (at least). Soooooo, when the protein is predigested, it is not by WHOM or by WHAT, but by HOW? See? It's just chemically broken down so that the function of the lower stomach is not required to make it into an absorbable form. It arrived into the pouch and thence, into the intestine, ALREADY ready to be absorbed. Of course, it still doesn't go past the main protein absorption station, but that's why we supplement the full amount of protein & hope we will get most of the supps and a bit of food value. So, the answer is that it is CHEMICALLY been digested for you.
   — vitalady

March 22, 2002
Michelle and Cheri, Thanks so much for your explanations. I have wondered about that and your posts make sense. It occurred to me as I started to answer that this is similar to using the term 'human' insulin. It does not come from humans. It is manufactured to be as close to the chemical makeup of human insulin as possible. Isn't it amazing what modern science can do?
   — garw

March 22, 2002
Michelle, what you are saying seems to make sense, but I still need a source to quote for my surgeon. I am sure you have researched all of the information and have studies and tests to prove this. I really don't want to die in a few years, but I can't seem to blindly take your opinion over my doctor and nutritionist.
   — faybay




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