FODZYME Research
Ever since launching FODZYME® back in May 2021, we’ve been receiving nothing short of amazing feedback from our customers. The effectiveness and impact of FODZYME® on people’s lives have been our primary focus, as an outcome of the rigorous scientific research that went into its formula.
Of course, there is always room for development and our team has been going full steam ahead with the various research streams (that we can’t tell you about, but it’s a story for another time). Nevertheless, it’s been a wonderfully busy time at Kiwi Biosciences as we have spent the last several months developing the next-generation FODZYME®. One that can make it extremely even more effective, and extremely easy to use no matter the meal, no matter the ingredients it has.
After what seems to be a lifetime, we are proud to present the next-generation FODZYME®.
FODZYME® On-the-Go contains 33% more enzymatic activity, making it extra powerful, and comes in portable single-dose stick packs with moisture-resistant sealing technology to maximize enzyme stability in all environments. In a nutshell, you can read about the launch in our press release.
But we can dive into the details here.
The portable single-dose stick packs
What can we say, it’s been a long time coming. But good things take time, and the next-generation FODZYME® can certainly qualify.
The new portable FODZYME® comes in two sizes: the five-stick Starter Kit and the 30-dose On-the-Go Kit. The latter comes in a handy dispenser, too, which is perfect for storing your single-dose stick packs, and grabbing one just before you head to your next meal out.
One of the most important factors distinguishing the next-generation FODZYME® from the Home Kit is the higher concentration of enzymes. The formula, mind you, stayed the same, yet the higher enzymatic activity means you can use it for all those meals in the wild, safe in the knowledge that you will be covered. Naturally, the dosing remains very individual. Don’t forget that going through the FODZYME ramp-up protocol can really help you determine the right dosage for your meals and your personal tolerance levels.
Nevertheless, the higher enzyme activity brings a higher level of certainty when eating a meal you didn’t prepare yourself. Naturally, a restaurant menu will not always state all of the high-FODMAP foods that go into the preparation of every meal. The single-dose stick packs provide that extra security when eating out at restaurants, at family gatherings, or on social occasions, and enjoying any meal on the go.
Of course, the portability factor is also high on the list, with so many of you asking for travel-sized packaging. To all those who messaged and emailed us, we hear you and we thank you for your emotional investment. We hope it doesn’t disappoint! Truly, the single-dose stick packs were designed with you in mind, and are perfect to fit any pocket, purse (or hand!) and take with you wherever you go. With an easy-tear function, the stick packs are oddly satisfying to open, making it extra convenient to sprinkle that dose of magic on your food.
“Ever since launching FODZYME®, we wanted to make it not only as effective as possible, but also easy to embed into everyday lives. We understand that when out and about, a whole jar of powder may raise an eyebrow or two. That’s why we developed FODZYME® stick packs - they’re portable, discreet (if you want them to be), and even more powerful.” - Anjie Liu, Creator of FODZYME® and CEO of Kiwi Biosciences
Last but not least, we put a considerable amount of time and effort into determining the best possible materials to use for the single-dose packaging. This was extremely important, as moisture can be damaging to the enzymatic activity and not all materials can guarantee a shield that would be protective enough. The new moisture-resistant sealing technology ensures the maximum protection of the FODZYME® powder and ensures its optimal activity, no matter the environment, weather conditions, or which corner of the globe one chooses to use it.
The science
We have conducted a series of trials, including in-house. As a starting point before the launch, we consumed 30-40g of fructan and fed it to our brave friends and family members. We conducted these in the most statistically rigorous way and obtained enough data to convince ourselves that FODZYME® indeed works when delivered correctly.
Naturally, when taking it to the next level, we performed a series of in-vitro experiments to validate the activity of our fructan hydrolase enzyme, which addresses fructan (which is arguably the biggest contributor to gut symptoms and hardest to avoid). We discovered that, when FODZYME® was administered, fructan was rapidly broken into simple fructose and glucose with ~90% of the fructan degraded within 30 minutes.
The experiments also showed that 70% of fructose was absorbed during a simulated small intestinal transit, thus reducing gas. We also found that the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was reduced but not depleted. This means that FODZYME®’s enzymatic approach may be more favorable to overall colonic health than avoiding FODMAPs altogether. This work was selected to be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2022, one of the most important venues for GI research.
As you may know, FODZYME® is low-FODMAP certified by Monash University and breaks down common gut symptom triggers found in garlic, onion, wheat, and other popular foods. These compounds, called FODMAPs, are particularly problematic for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which affects 15% of the global population.
As a targeted alternative to the restrictive low-FODMAP approach, the FODZYME formula consists of lactase, alpha-galactosidase, and fructan hydrolase. These specialized enzymes break down the FODMAPs lactose, galacto-oligosaccharides, and fructan, respectively. When sprinkled on or mixed with high-FODMAP meals, FODZYME powder facilitates optimal enzyme interaction with problem foods.