Description
MegaGuardTM is a novel digestive aid that combines clinically studied and highly concentrated licorice
polyphenols, scientifically validated extractions of artichoke, and high potency ginger to promote normal
digestion, regulate stomach acid, balance H. pylori levels, and reduce occasional digestive discomforts
such as gas, bloating, and indigestion. When used in combination with other Microbiome Labs products,
MegaGuard™ offers complete gastrointestinal support from the stomach all the way to the colon.
With the power of these three herbs combined, MegaGuard™ provides unique and
comprehensive digestive support, bowel regularity, and gastric protection.
Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract (ALE) has also been used in traditional medicine as a digestive aid.
The bitter compounds, particularly cynaropicrin, are responsible for the digestive benefits of artichoke. ALE has been shown to increase bile production, protect the liver, balance blood lipids, and act as an antispasmodic.
In 2003, German researchers demonstrated that 640mg/day of artichoke leaf extract significantly improved digestive symptoms like bloating and fullness as well as quality of life in 244 patients with functional dyspepsia. Though the study was conducted over 6 weeks, the majority of the treatment group saw relief of their digestive symptoms in the first week.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use for treating digestive discomforts. In Ayurvedic and
Traditional Chinese Medicine, licorice is well-known for its ability to protect the gastric mucosa and modulate everyday inflammation. However, most supplements contain deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) because large amounts of glycyrrhizin have been associated with serious adverse side effects like elevated blood pressure and lowered potassium levels. Gutgard® licorice flavonoids are entirely different from DGL with respect to chemistry, composition, manufacturing, and mechanisms of action. While a classical extract of DGL does not contain any significant quantity of flavonoids, Gutgard® is standardized to contain more than 10% total flavonoids and less than 0.5% glycyrrhizin to avoid undesirable effects. More than 50 flavonoids have been identified in Gutgard® which have been shown to have beneficial activity for digestive complaints. In fact, Gutgard® licorice flavonoids have been shown to protect the stomach lining and balance Helicobacter pylori levels much more effectively than regular DGL extracts. Gutgard® licorice can also relieve occasional indigestion, bloating, and stomach pain at 150mg/day.
Ginger (Zinziber officinalis) has been used as a digestive aid in Eastern medicine for generations. Studies have demonstrated that ginger accelerates gastric emptying and can relieve occasional bouts of nausea and vomiting.
Gingerols and shogaols, the active polyphenolic compounds in ginger, appear to be responsible for such effects by weakly inhibiting cholinergic M3 and serotonergic 5-HT3 receptors, whose temporary dysfunction is responsible for nausea, vomiting, and hypomotility. Ginger extracts with a higher gingerol content (20-30% gingerols) are stronger and more effective at relieving digestive discomforts.
In 2015, an Italian study of 126 patients found that the daily combination of 40 mg of ginger extracts (25-30% gingerols) with 200 mg of artichoke leaf extracts reduced the severity and frequency of common digestive symptoms like nausea, bloating, early satiety, and abdominal pain 17% more effectively than just artichoke leaf extract alone.While most ginger extracts only contain 5% gingerols, MegaGuard™ contains 60 mg of high potency ginger root extract (20% gingerols) for maximum strength.
Dosing:
Ages 8+: Take one capsule with lunch and one capsule with dinner, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
*THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.
References: Wittshier N, ET AL. Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from liquorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2009;125(2): 218–223. Omar HR, ET AL. Licorice abuse: time to send a warning message. Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2012;3(4): 125–138. Gebhardt R, Fausel M. “Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of artichoke extracts and constituents in cultured rat hepatocytes. Toxicology in Vitro. 1997; 11(5):669–672. Perez Garcia F, ET AL. Activity of artichoke leaf extract on reactive oxygen species in human leukocytes. Free Radical Research. 2000;33(5): 661–665. Ishida K, ET AL. Effects of artichoke leaf extract on acute gastric mucosal injury in rats. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2010;33(2):223–229. WU KL, ET AL. Effects of ginger on gastric emptying and motility in healthy humans. Eur J Gastroenterol & Hepatol. 2008; 20(5): 436–440. Haag S, ET AL. Symptom patterns in functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome: relationship to disturbances in gastric emptying and response to a nutrient challenge in consulters and non-consulters. Gut. 2004; 53(10): 1445–1451.
