Profect: Special Medical Usage

Profect® provides critical nutrition to medical patients with special protein needs. Profect may be administered orally or via feeding tube. Orally, it can be consumed by itself as a ready-to-drink beverage. It may also be mixed with other foods, beverages (any temperature), or supplements.

Profect protein therapy is recommended for patients when high-density nutrition (i.e. maximum grams of protein per fluid ounce), low allergen content, high bioavailability, or even good taste is a critical requirement.

Oftentimes, patients with special dietary requirements have difficulty consuming protein because they cannot tolerate the taste, the volume, the protein allergens, or the protein structure (eg. large or denatured protein molecules).

Profect addresses these challenges by providing 25 grams of Actinase® in a ready-to-drink form. Actinase is an all-natural protein compound with the following characteristics:

Palatable
Actinase has a very neutral organoleptic profile (i.e. the characteristics related to the sense of taste and smell). Actinase also has a smooth texture. These features provide the foundation for the palatable flavors without the use of heavy flavorings or sweeteners.

Hypoallergenic
To understand how and why Actinase is hypoallergenic, a brief explanation of hydrolization is required. Actinase undergoes a process called enzymatic hydrolysis. This process breaks protein molecules into smaller units called peptides. The average molecular weight of the peptides in Actinase is 1,400 daltons ("dalton" is the unit of measurement for atomic weight). The human body can readily digest and absorb peptides, which is why they are also used in infant formulas. A byproduct of the hydrolization process is that many of the allergens typically found in proteins are removed.

Highly Bioavailable
Actinase is easy to digest because the protein molecules are enzymatically hydrolyzed (pre-digested) to form peptides (i.e. small protein molecules). Peptides are easier for the body to digest and assimilate.

Concentrated
The molecular structure of Actinase is extremely dense, making Profect the most concentrated protein beverage on the market. Profect provides more protein per ounce than any other beverage. This unique characteristic allows patients to consume ample amounts of protein in a very small fluid volume (eg. 25 grams of protein in 2.7 fluid ounces).

Allergies

Individuals susceptible to immunologic responses to ingested protein antigens may avoid a variety of protein sources including dairy, soy, eggs, fish and peanuts. These restrictions can severely limit an individual’s ability to source protein with all essential amino acids and a reduced allergen content. Profect is a complete, hypoallergenic protein source and is therefore indicated for these individuals.

Anorexia and bulimia

Patients suffering from the eating disorders anorexia or bulimia are faced with macronutrient deficiencies, especially protein. Increased dietary intake is a primary protocol. As part of an overall nutritional therapy, Profect is indicated to increase serum protein levels, balance metabolism and to aid in the body’s ability to rebuild lost tissues due to catabolism.

Bariatric surgery

Profect is indicated for pre-op, post-op and long-term protein supplementation. Requirements for bariatric patients include high assimilation ratio, nutrient density, and palatable taste.A single, 2.7-ounce vial of Profect provides 50% of the U.S. R.D.I. for protein, as well as the complete spectrum of water-soluble vitamins. This protein-to-volume ratio exceeds the needs of bariatric patients. Profect also provides exceptional taste and texture, and 100% of the protein is pre-digested via enzymatic hydrolyses, thereby increasing absorption/assimilation.

Burn

There is massive protein loss from a burn site, along with increased vascular permeability, decreased albumin synthesis and protein losing nephropathy. In cases where burn patients may have difficulty tolerating voluminous levels of food, Profect is indicated.

Cancer

Patients in advanced stages of cancer exhibit nutritional depletion and severe body wasting (cachexia). Adequate nutrition is difficult to achieve through conventional diet therapy. Supplemental nutrition such as naso-gastric tube feedings and hyperalimentation are effective short-term, force-feeding regimens. However, alternate and long-term regimens may include a nutritionally dense, palatable supplement whose low molecular weight does not tax the liver or kidneys. Profect is indicated for these scenarios.

Congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema

Patients with congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, hydrocephalus and compartment syndrome have fluid restrictions. For these patients, excessive amounts of fluid intake cause serious conditions such as breathing difficulties, swelling, increased blood pressure and cardiac problems. Profect is indicated where fluid restriction jeopardizes the patient’s ability to intake adequate protein.

Diabetes

Profect is indicated for diabetics in need of protein and/or vitamins without risk of impacting serum blood sugar levels.Profect is a low glycemic product. It contains zero sugar (zero carbohydrates) and will not cause a significant rise in serum blood sugar.

Immunodeficiency

Wasting syndrome, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic complications are generally seen in immunodeficiency patients. Among other protocol, highly absorbable protein supplementation is needed to address these conditions. However, a lack of appetite or an inability to tolerate many ‘tastes’ and ‘mouth-feels’ may reduce the patient’s desire to eat. Profect is indicated to address these needs and challenges of immunodeficiency patients.

Kwashiorkor (protein malnutrition)

Protein malnutrition is oftentimes symptomatic of another disease. However, according to a U.S. government study, as many as 50% of elderly persons in U.S. nursing homes suffer from protein malnutrition. Patients suffering from protein malnutrition may be challenged with protein intake or protein absorption. The protein-to-volume ratio and small molecular weight of Profect are indicated for both scenarios, respectively.

Mouth surgery

Post-op mouth surgery patients may be placed on a liquid-only diet, thereby temporarily altering their eating patterns. These patients are challenged with integrating palatable, digestible liquid proteins into their dietary regimens. Profect is indicated where high nutrient density and exceptional palatability are desired.

Pregnancy and nursing

Pregnant and lactating women have protein requirements that are 30% to 40% higher than normal adults.Low protein intake may cause a decrease in milk production and depletion of protein stores. Profect is indicated when an advanced protein supplement is required.

Pressure ulcers

Studies have linked pressure ulcers and bed sores to malnutrition. Patients need adequate levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals to support healing. According to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), patients with pressure ulcers need 1.25 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily.Pressure ulcer patients may be unable to eat on their own, or unable to tolerate the organoleptic qualities of conventional food – especially those rich in protein. Profect is indicated for pressure ulcers, stages I through IV.

Renal disease

Profect is indicated as part of a comprehensive care plan for acute and chronic kidney failure. The combination of protein malnourishment and fluid restrictions call for a protein protocol that delivers highly bioavailable protein in a small fluid volume. Additionally, a low molecular weight protein may reduce the stress applied to the affected organs.

Stress due to injury or infection

During severe injury or infection, an overall metabolic response occurs that results in a loss of lean body mass. A report published by the Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance (FANTA) suggests a 50-100% increase in protein needs as part of an overall treatment protocol for patients with injury or infection. There are several reasons for this, including increased energy requirements, decreased protein source from gut turnover, malabsorption, and increased protein turnover.Profect is indicated for the preservation and restoration of protein stores and body tissues, as well as for the support of protein-dependent biochemical functions.

Wound healing

Patients recovering from wounds have relatively higher requirements for protein. The combination of stress response and trauma caused by physical accidents or surgery necessitates relatively higher requirements for protein intake to achieve a positive nitrogen balance. Profect is recommended when protein supplementation is indicated.

*Please consult your doctor or physician before changing your diet or exercise regimen.

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