Frequently Asked Questions

 
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How can I purchase your supplements?

Whole-istic Solutions is available to qualified health-care professionals. If you are a qualified health-care professional, contact us today for more information or to open your account.

If you are not a qualified health-care professional and wish to purchase supplements online,
you can find our supplements at:

www.parkerhealthsolutions.com

www.drdonnavice.com

www.mortimerhealth.com

You may also contact us today or submit your request to find a health care representative near you».

  • Call toll-free (866) 814-7673
  • Fax (972) 751-5300
  • E-mail Us
  • Speak with your doctor today about how you can get Whole-istic Solutions products.
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What are the hours of operation at Whole-istic Solutions?

Monday-Thursday, 9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Central Standard Time.

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What is the difference between a foundational and therapeutic supplement?

The role of foundational supplementation is to replenish nutrients that are missing from our diets due to lifestyle and the environment: poor eating habits, stress, cooking and processing food, depleted and over-farmed soil, poor air and water quality and pesticides and other toxins in our food. The primary role of our foundational products is simply to replace key nutrients that are no longer available in the majority of our food supply. The foundational supplements, Digestive, Vitamin-Mineral-Antioxidant and EFA replenish the nutrients that everyone needs on an ongoing basis, such as digestive enzymes, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Therapeutic supplements further assist by providing the nutrients required for specific conditions.

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What is a whole food supplement?

Vitamins are typically found in one of three forms – synthetic, crystalline and whole-food. Whole food supplements refer to vitamins as found in natural foods, unaltered in any way that might change their molecular, biological or biochemical arrangement, or their action. A whole-food supplement is comprised of complete foods that have been concentrated into supplemental form by removing only the water and fiber.

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What is the process used to remove the water and fiber?

The fresh foods are harvested and immediately dried using a proprietary process that allows the product to dry in seconds at temperatures below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This proprietary process maintains the nutritional integrity, strength and effectiveness of the active ingredients in our products.

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Why are whole-food supplements better?

When whole foods are eaten, different nutrients work together in ways that are better for us than each one working alone. It is not possible to get the same results from synthetic or crystalline supplements.

By 1992, scientists had discovered over 3,200 nutrient components in food. Keep that in mind when you look at the label of your vitamin supplement with perhaps only 50-70 ingredients, and compare that product to the thousands of nutrients that naturally occur in whole-food. More is better, but it’s not about more milligrams, it’s about more diversity.

Using whole-food supplements is the only way to be certain of getting all of the benefits created in nature. Whole foods contain complete vitamins, but isolated vitamins do not contain the complete whole-food complex. Nutritional research tends to focus on the effects of individual molecules in simple laboratory models, but these synthetic and fragmented vitamins are grossly lacking the phytonutrients and additional co-factors which are present in the food’s natural state. Very much like the difference between whole grain bread and refined white bread, the whole complex is necessary in order for the body to receive complete nutrition. Whole-food vitamins are natural and familiar to the body with all of their naturally occurring cofactors present.

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How can I find out if I am taking “whole-food” vitamins vs. synthetic or crystalline vitamins?

On the surface, the way to tell the difference is simple. A whole-food vitamin is just that – a food, like a carrot, spinach or broccoli. The label will list the foods. On the other hand, synthetic and crystalline vitamins are listed on the label by their chemical names, such as vitamin A palmitate, d-alpha tocopherol, ascorbic acid, etc. Unfortunately it is not always that easy to tell the difference. An important consideration when choosing a whole-food product concerns spiking. For example, acerola cherry is a good source of vitamin C, but most companies that supply it have been influenced by customer demand for mega doses. In response to this misunderstanding about how vitamins work, synthetic vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has been added to the acerola cherry to boost its potency. The maximum potency of vitamin C naturally occurring in acerola cherry is about 17%.

Pure acerola provides vitamin C in its natural form, ascorbic palmitate which is alkaline rather than acid. Because it is alkaline rather than acid, it is compatible with the human digestive system and has been found to be usable even by people with digestive and stomach disorders. Because it is alkaline it is many times more bio-available and health promoting than ascorbic acid, which is of course acidic. Whole-istic Solutions Acerola C- Plus uses pure whole-food vitamins which have not been spiked with synthetics.

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Where does Whole-istic Solutions get its raw materials?

Our whole-food ingredients are composed of only the finest, high-quality raw materials. Our suppliers are committed to offering raw materials that provide the best nutrition available from whole powders and juice powders.
Many of our raw materials are grown on farms where the fresh ingredients are harvested and immediately dried using a proprietary process that allows the product to be dried in seconds at temperatures below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This process maintains the nutritional integrity, strength and effectiveness of the active ingredients in our products. We choose the most reliable sources for our ingredients. Then, each raw ingredient is tested for safety and quality to ensure that the ingredient is exactly what the grower claims.

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What about studies that show the negative aspects of taking vitamins?

Many studies are based on subjects taking synthetic or crystalline (fractionated) vitamins. These isolated vitamins eventually lead to biochemical imbalances and nutritional deficiencies and are actually linked to an increased risk of heart disease, certain types of cancers, birth defects and even DNA damage. This is not surprising when you understand that many synthetic vitamins are derived from unhealthy sources, such as coal tar and corn syrup.

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What are probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial intestinal bacteria, also known as friendly flora. There are at least 400 kinds of microorganisms (bacteria) found in the normal digestive tract. This amounts to about three pounds of bacteria in a healthy human intestine. Since the development of refrigeration, the United States is one of the few countries where cultured food is not eaten on a regular basis. As a result, it has been shown that the average American has only about one-third the amount of probiotics necessary in the intestines.

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Why are probiotics important?

Human health depends on the presence of probiotics in the digestive tract and other mucous membranes. Probiotics perform various beneficial functions such as helping to manufacture B vitamins, enzymes and essential fats. They clean the intestinal tract, purify the colon and promote bowel movements. More importantly, probiotics produce antibiotics and antifungals, preventing the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and fungi. They create lactic acid, which balances intestinal pH and perform many more beneficial functions. Maintaining and promoting the growth of these beneficial bacteria while destroying the harmful strains is vital to health.

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Why do I need to supplement with probiotics?

Friendly bacteria (probiotics) can be destroyed by carbonated beverages, medications, caffeine, alcohol, antibiotics and stress. Regular use of supplemental probiotics ensures the healthy growth of needed bacteria.

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Where is the best place to store supplements? Do they need to be refrigerated?

The best place is on a shelf where they remain dry and at room-temperature or colder. None of the Whole-istic Solutions products require refrigeration. However, for optimum stability and shelf life, it is recommended that products containing probiotics, essential fatty acids and certain amino-acids (Digestive, Probiotic, EFAand Stress Support) be refrigerated.

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What about the stability of probiotics?

Whole-istic Solutions has chosen what independent tests have shown to be the most stable probiotics available.

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What are minerals and why are they important?

Minerals are natural elements which are not of animal or vegetable origin. They are crucial to the functioning of the body’s systems, particularly the hormone system and the immune system. Minerals also play a vital role in enzyme reactions and in the production of blood, vitamins and energy.

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Are the products from Whole-istic Solutions FDA approved?

The FDA only approves substances considered to be drugs, not foods. Therefore, FDA approval process is not relevant to Whole-istic Solutions’ all-natural products. Nevertheless, every Whole-istic Solutions product is in full compliance with all applicable FDA regulations and all ingredients in Whole-istic Solutions products are in the FDA’s GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) category.

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Why don’t the labels give elemental or milligram values for the vitamin content of products?

Whole-food vitamins do not fit the model used by the FDA labeling system. The FDA regulations for supplement labels require that vitamins listed in the upper portion of the label only include amounts for the isolated “organic nutrient” portion of the specific vitamin with its RDA (ascorbic acid for vitamin C or alpha-tocopherol for vitamin E). The concept of milligrams and units of vitamins simply has no meaning when applied to whole foods. For example, Whole-istic Solutions Vitamin-Mineral-Antioxidant does not use ascorbic acid, but instead provides whole food sources of vitamin C from the Indian gooseberry, amla. The amla provides ascorbic acid and all the other members of the natural C complex that function in the body, such as ascorbigen A, ascorbigen B, erthorbic acid, dehydroascorbate, the K factors, etc.

In summary, whole food vitamins do not fit the model used by the FDA labeling system and the technology does not exist for accurately assessing the true micronutrient value of whole food complexes. Nevertheless, it is known that the biological activity derived from whole food is much greater than that of synthetic or fractionated vitamins.

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What makes Whole-istic Solutions products better than others on the market?

Our formulations are based on the applied clinical experience of doctors in successful practices offering great health benefits daily to patients. Dr. Parker and Dr. Robbins have used a great number of the products that are available on the market and discovered what works and what needs improvement. They have learned from the best and made it better and more affordable.

All formulas obey the laws of nature and are “wholeistic”, providing maximum cellular delivery.

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What does “wholeistic” mean, and why is it important?

For a supplement to be “wholeistic”, the nutrients in that supplement must be fully digestible and available to the cells of the body without robbing from the body’s own nutrient stores. Just taking a supplement does not guarantee that the nutrients in that supplement will be delivered to the cells of the body. The body requires coordinated enzymes, minerals, and various co-factors to be present in order for nutrients to be absorbed and delivered to the cells of the body. Without all of the cofactors, supplements may “leach” nutrients from the body’s stores and enzymes will work less efficiently. Whole-istic Solutions understands and respects the interdependent relationship that exists between the nutrients naturally occurring in food.

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What is the shelf-life for Whole-istic Solutions’ products?

The shelf-life for Whole-istic Solutions products varies from two to three years, with the exception of products containing probiotics (Digestive, Probiotic), which have a shelf-life of one year.

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Do any Whole-istic Solutions formulations interfere with any medications?

The unique combination of enzymes in the Digestive and Proteolytic Plus can enhance the absorption and/or metabolism of medications, which may alter the effects of the drug. It is recommended that individuals avoid taking medications at the same time of day as taking these products. Medication should be taken 30 minutes prior to taking Digestive or 1 1/2 to 2 hours after taking Digestive. The same recommendations apply to Proteolytic Plus. People taking blood thinner medications such as Coumadin should avoid taking Proteolytic Plus altogether. Individuals with specific health concerns should check with their physician prior to beginning any supplementation program. Calcium Plus contains Vitamin K. All forms of Vitamin K may interact with blood thinning medications. If you are taking these medicines, please consult with your physician before taking Calcium Plus.

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Are there any health conditions which prevent people from taking these products?

Whole-istic Solutions supplements provide nutritional support and are safe to take in most medical conditions. However, individuals with active gastric or duodenal ulcers should not use Digestive or Proteolytic Plus. Individuals with specific health concerns should check with their physician prior to beginning any supplementation program.

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Should young children (under the age of two) take Whole-istic Solutions products?

Our products were developed for adult nutritional needs. However, all Whole-istic Solutions products may be taken by children under the advice of a doctor.

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What doses are recommended for children of various ages?

We recommend this rule of thumb: if children are eight years or older, give them an adult dose. If younger than eight years of age, use half of an adult dose.

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How do you guarantee that the product provides the quality, potency, and purity of ingredients that is claimed on the product label?

Guarantees of product quality and potency start with the selection of a professional manufacturer. Great care must be taken to insure that the selected manufacturer follows recognized Good Manufacturing Practices(GMPs). The manufacturer for Whole-istic Solutions holds GMP certifications through NSF and the Australian TGA, as well as being in complete compliance with the FDA’s new GMPs that became law in 2005. The GMPs they adhere to require in house testing of incoming raw materials and finished product, the ability to track the transport and utilization of ingredients through the manufacturing process, documentation that manufacturing SOPs are followed, proof that equipment is properly maintained and cleaned, assurance that employees utilize appropriate hygiene practices and appropriate post-manufacturing handling. Whole-istic Solutions uses only the highest quality ingredients backed by a vendor certification program and standardized ingredient specifications.

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Does Whole-istic Solutions employ an independent laboratory to ensure potency,
purity, activity and consistency?

Yes, this is done by our manufacturer. It is a part of good manufacturing process (GMP) to perform quality checks and also to have in-house tests backed up by independent laboratory analysis. Each batch is tested several times on a frequency determined by the batch size.

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What are Enzymes?

Enzymes are substances, which make life possible. They are proteins needed for every chemical reaction that occurs in the body, functioning as catalysts that either start chemical reactions or make them run faster. Without enzymes, no activity at all would take place. Vitamins, minerals and hormones could do no work – without enzymes.

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What are the different types of enzymes?

Enzymes can be divided into three groups.

  • Metabolic enzymes (enzymes which your body produces that work in blood, tissues, and organs)
  • Digestive enzymes (enzymes that break down food into usable material)
  • Food enzymes (enzymes that are contained in raw food)
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How do enzymes aid in digestion?

Enzymes are catalysts, an integral part of the digestive process. They initiate or speed up a reaction. These enzymes come from two sources, those found in the food itself, and those produced in the body. When food is ingested, enzymes are released in the mouth (ptyalin) that aid in breaking open carbohydrate cell walls. As the food progresses through the digestive tract, other enzymes are released. The ultimate breakdown of food occurs in the small intestine assisted by the release of pancreatic enzymes.

When raw food is ingested, enzymes present within the food are released, thereby assisting the body’s digestive processes in breaking down the food into its simplest components for utilization within the body. However, if food is cooked or processed, these “food” enzymes are inactivated, and therefore the burden of digestion is left to the body’s own enzymes, mostly those produced by the pancreas. And often, incompletely digested food is passed into the colon taking vital nutrients with it, sometimes causing intestinal upset.

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Why are food enzymes missing in cooked and processed foods?

Modern food processing techniques and all types of cooking destroy nearly 100% of the enzymes naturally occurring in food. Enzymes are completely denatured when exposed to temperatures over 118º for any length of time. The modern diet consisting of cooked and processed food is essentially devoid of active enzymes forcing the body to supply the additional enzymes needed to adequately digest the food.

Ideally, the human body would be capable of producing the enzymes necessary to digest cooked and processed food and allow for the absorption of nutrients. However, with estimates of as many as twenty million Americans suffering from various digestive disorders, this is not the case.

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What happens when food is not properly digested?

Over a century ago, Virchow described “digestive leukocytosis” a condition in which the white blood cell (WBC, leukocyte) count increases after a meal. Further research by Kouchakoff identified cooked and processed foods as the causative factor. Kouchakoff observed that raw food induced no change in WBC counts while cooked foods, particularly cooked meat, caused rapid increases in serum leukocyte levels. When incompletely digested food molecules are absorbed, the body identifies this particulate matter as foreign antigens and forms circulating immune complexes. The immune system then mobilizes macrophage leukocytes (white blood cells) to digest the food.

Digestive problems can result, causing improper digestion and malabsorption of nutrients that can have far reaching effects. Consequences of malabsorption can include impaired immunity, allergic reaction, poor wound healing, skin problems and mood swings.

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Are there physiological effects from consuming an enzyme-free diet?

According to Dr. Edward Howell, “cooked, enzyme-free diets contribute to a pathological over-enlargement of the pituitary gland [which in turn] regulates the other glands”. Likewise, the human pancreas is grossly hypertrophied in relation to all other members of the animal kingdom. Howell concluded that the massive size of the human pancreas is the result of a pathological adaptation to a cooked food diet. Research conducted at the University of Minnesota showed significant changes in the organ weights of rats fed heat-treated food. Both the pancreas and submaxillary glands increased in weight by 20 to 30 percent. Research by Grossman further substantiates the adaptive role that diet plays in pancreatic secretion.

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Why take a supplemental enzyme?

Today’s typical diets of cooked and processed foods make it very important to take supplemental enzymes to relieve some of your body’s digestive stress. Supplemental enzymes take the place of enzymes lost in food, enabling digestion to begin further up in the gastro region and resulting in more complete digestion and release of nutrients, while also easing the burden on the pancreas. This allows the pancreas, primarily an endocrine organ, to conserve its cellular machinery for production of insulin and glucagon; which are important in blood glucose maintenance.

Since your body will put a higher priority on digestion than on maintaining health, it will steal enzymes from the immune system to finish digestion. Taking a supplemental enzyme can help relieve stress from not only your digestive organs, but also your immune system.

Heartburn is also reduced or stops occurring altogether. Since the enzymes digest the food very quickly, food is passed into the intestine faster. Acid production, which is triggered by the presence of food in the stomach, is then reduced.

The enzymes most often found in dietary supplements function in the same way as the enzymes found naturally in food and in the digestive tract. Supplemental enzymes are available that are capable of breaking down almost any food. For example, there are several different carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes such as: amylase (for polysaccharides), lactase (for milk sugar), invertase (for sucrose), and cellulase (for plant fibers).

Supplemental enzymes can improve the level of digestion and help assure that the maximum level of nutrient absorption is attained. Nearly every person can benefit from supplementation with enzymes. Even healthy people may improve their absorption and utilization of nutrients through the use of digestive enzymes. Of course the benefits will vary, depending upon the individuals’ diet and general health. Even individuals in good health can expect to notice less fullness after meals, increased energy, faster emptying of the stomach, decreased gas, and more regular bowel habits.

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Will my body stop producing enzymes?

No. The pancreas will adapt to whatever food is taken into the body, and react accordingly. Dr. Howell wrote about the Law of Adaptive Secretion of Digestive Enzymes (page 5 in Enzyme Nutrition) which explains that if you take supplemental enzymes, then some of the burden of producing enzymes will be relieved. In general, the body will adapt (within 3-7 days) to the composition of the diet. If you eat a high carbohydrate diet, the body will eventually begin secreting more amylase. Studies in rats show that a high protein diet will increase the secretion of the proteolytic enzyme, trypsin. If you supplement enzymes, the need for the body to produce “extra” enzymes is decreased.

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How do pancreatic enzymes, plant enzymes, and microbial enzymes differ?

Pancreatic enzymes:

  • derived from animal tissues
  • activity limited to a narrow pH range
  • very specific in action
  • activated by body’s enzymes
  • easily destroyed by acidity of the stomach
  • delayed effect
  • does not break down fibers/certain carbohydrates
  • no sucrase, maltase, or lactase activity

Plant enzymes:

  • derived from certain plants such as pineapple or papaya
  • effective within a broad pH range
  • predominantly proteolytic activity

Microbial (fungal) enzymes:

  • derived from selected microorganisms by the process of fermentation
  • broad pH range (approximately 3.0 – 9.0)
  • activated in upper stomach
  • begin working immediately
  • broad action on a variety of foods

Supplemental pancreatic, plant, and microbial enzymes are all designed to enhance digestion. However, plant and microbial enzymes use a “proactive” approach and begin working on foods sooner after ingestion. Pancreatic enzymes usually begin working approximately 30 minutes after food reaches the stomach. Because of their stability in the acidic environment of the upper stomach, plant and microbial enzymes can begin their digestive action immediately after the food reaches this region. With the increased exposure to digestive enzyme activity, food can quickly be broken down into small, more readily absorbed particles.

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What should the dosage be?

Start with small doses, one capsule with a large meal. Each person’s system works differently. Experiment with different doses until the desired effect is achieved. An increase in bowel movements may initially occur because the enzymes, which are very stable, stay active in the intestinal tract. After two or three days, the system will be cleansed, and less stool may pass. This means that more food has been broken down and absorbed by the intestinal tract. After even large meals the heaviness and gas will decrease. Heaviness and gas is mostly due to the presence of undigested food in the colon. The bacteria present cause the undigested food to ferment, which produces gas. In addition, with use of the digestive enzymes, less energy is expended by the body to break down food, which often results in feeling more alert and energized.

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What should a doctor consider when choosing a supplement to carry?

Choosing a quality enzyme supplement is more difficult then just looking for a plant or fungal-based product. When considering an enzyme supplement, it is important to choose one with known efficacy. Since there is no correlation between enzyme weight and its level of activity, selecting a supplement which shows activity levels is preferred. There are many assays used to detect enzyme activity. However, two independent scientific organizations have attempted to standardize ingredients used in foods (including dietary supplements) and pharmaceuticals. The Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) focuses on food grade ingredients used in foods, food packaging or as food processing aids. The United States Pharmacopoeia and National Formulary (USP/NF or USP) is directed toward ingredients used in pharmaceuticals. The FCC methods are the most widely recognized assays for microbial and plant based enzymes used in dietary supplements. Animal derived enzymes are more commonly assayed by the USP methodology.

The activity level of a digestive enzyme is measured by assaying the quantity of digestion (hydrolysis) that occurs under specific conditions. This activity depends upon concentration, quantity, pH, temperature, and substrate.

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What standards of enzyme activity and efficacy are followed at Whole-istic Solutions?

The FCC method (see above) is used to list the enzyme activity in Whole-istic Solutions products. Recent studies regarding efficacy provided the 1st quantitative evidence that supplemental enzymes (those used at Whole-istic Solutions) significantly improve the bioavailability of food. Impaired as well as healthy digestive conditions were tested because the digestive capabilities of most people fall somewhere in between. The study found glucose availability to be increased fourfold in the ‘healthy’ digestive system and by seven times in impaired digestive conditions. Proteins were twice as bioavailable in the impaired digestive conditions. It was further demonstrated that these enzymes not only survived, but were active in the harsh acidic environment of the stomach – where most other types of enzymes are rendered inactive. The enzymes used by Whole-istic Solutions are the only enzymes empirically proven to achieve these results. For complete documentation of this study, please refer to.