Protein: composed of cold-extracted whey protein isolate only (no allergenic casein or egg albumin) and 99.8% of the lactose has been removed. more...

Amino Acids: Absorb Plus contains an extensive array of free-form amino acids. more...

Carbohydrates: The carbohydrate mix is composed mostly of maltodextrin, which has a slower uptake into the bloodstream than glucose or fructose. This helps you avoid getting a 'sugar rush' with the resultant high-low mood cycle. more...

Fat: Absorb Plus doesn't contain any fat - for 3 specific reasons. However, we do encourage you to add as much organic, cold-pressed flax oil as you can tolerate. more...

Natural Sweetener: A natural fruit-source monosaccharide sugar called Fructose. This is the natural sugar found in all fruits and some vegetables. more...

Vitamins and Minerals: Our vitamin/mineral profile is unusually extensive and specifically formulated for those with stomach and bowel sensitivities. Each vitamin/mineral is present in its most easily absorbable form. more...

Natural Flavors: Absorb Plus is one of the few products on the market containing 100% natural flavoring. Our unique natural flavor blends include French Vanilla, Mixed Berry and Chocolate Royale and are truly yummy. Suffice it to say, we have spent considerable time and effort getting each flavor to taste absolutely delicious! more...

Absorb Plus was formulated by Jini Patel Thompson, the author of LISTEN TO YOUR GUT: Natural Healing & Dealing With Inflammatory Bowel Disease & Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

After a bout of severe intestinal haemorrhaging, Jini's weight dropped to 99 pounds (she's 5'7") and her albumin levels showed she was severely malnourished. After receiving a blood transfusion, her doctor advised complete bowel rest - to allow the intestine heal. Continuing to eat regular food simply re-opened the wounds and started the bleeding again. Therefore, her nutrition needed to come from a completely elemental (pre-digested) liquid source.

Jini tried each of the elemental (pre-digested) products provided by the hospital, but found the taste and ingredient list unacceptable. Rather than undergoing an operation to have a tube inserted in her stomach and the elemental products pumped in, she set out to find a natural, healthy, alternative.

After an extensive search of health stores and the Internet, Jini devised her own elemental formula by mixing together 6 different products. She did this 8-9 times a day to give her body the nutrients it needed in elemental (pre-digested for maximum absorption) form. Using this formula, Jini gained 36 pounds of solid weight (not fat) in six weeks and her albumin levels were restored to normal. She went from being so weak she could barely move around her apartment, to cycling and lifting weights at the gym by the end of the six weeks at a healthy weight of 135 pounds.

Jini included directions for mixing up these elemental shakes in the first edition of her book LISTEN TO YOUR GUT (Caramal Publishing 2000). In addition, as word spread through family and friends, people with a variety of afflictions (cancer/chemotherapy, trigeminal neuralgia, age-related malnutrition and loss of appetite, etc.) began contacting Jini for her weight gain and maintenance program. However, many of these people and her readers commented that they found it too difficult and time-consuming to mix together so many different products. Having done it herself, Jini could sympathise with them! Fortunately, a year later, she met one of the founders of Imix Naturals and he asked her to replicate her formula in one product. She happily agreed and the result is Absorb Plus.

We know of no other product comparable to Absorb Plus in quality and composition, that is also elemental (pre-digested for maximum absorption). In addition, our own trials, and letters from our customers show that Absorb Plus really works.

• People with Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticulitis, Colon Cancer, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• People who have trouble chewing, swallowing, digesting or absorbing their food.
• People recovering from illness and/or surgery and cancer.

Easy & gentle on your stomach and digestive system - Absorb Plus contains natural, elemental (pre-digested) ingredients, which are easily tolerated by even the most sensitive stomach and intestinal tract. This helps minimize the pain and discomfort commonly associated with digestion.

Maintain or gain solid weight (not fat) - Absorb Plus contains the right amounts and forms of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for gaining solid weight and NOT FAT. Many competing products contain mainly fat and sugar resulting in an increase in body fat. For weight gain, we recommend adding Flax oil providing you with more calories and Omega-3 essential fatty acid.

Daily nutritional support - Absorb Plus contains an extensive list of key ingredients, including protein, carbohydrates, free form amino acids and vitamins & minerals, allowing the ongoing healing of your condition to be supported and assisted nutritionally.

Delicious taste - Absorb Plus is a liquid shake available in three delicious tasting, all natural flavors: French Vanilla, Mixed Berry and Chocolate Royale. Taste the difference!

Mixes properly - Absorb Plus uses a special 'agglomerated' high quality whey protein, that enables the product to mix easily, with no lumps! Simply add to water and stir for 20-30 seconds!

Feel more energy and sleep better - Absorb Plus contains totally elemental (pre-digested) ingredients which require minimal digestion by your body. This gives your digestive system (particularly your bowel) a chance to rest and heal by itself. Over time, drinking Absorb Plus can therefore help you feel more energy during the day and get a more restful sleep at night.

Convenient and easy to use - Absorb Plus mixes so easily, it can be taken with you anywhere, whether to work, traveling and so on. It also mixes very well with other supplements, if desired (view Recipes).

Absorb Plus tastes better, mixes better, absorbs faster, is better tolerated, is natural, and is not just fat & sugar!

Most elemental weight gain/maintenance products are available only in hospitals, pharmacies, or on prescription from your doctor. They are composed predominantly of fat (oil) and sugar. Unfortunately, the weight that is gained from these products tends to reflect the key components - ie. fat. It is very difficult to drink a sufficient amount of calories from these products as many people simply can't tolerate the high oil content, or the taste. In addition, most contain artificial flavors and sweeteners - which research has shown to be harmful to the body. For people in extreme states of malnutrition, these products are usually pumped directly into the stomach via a 'shunt' or tube inserted through the skin into the stomach itself due to their unpalatable taste and composition.

There are many whey protein or food supplement products on the shelf in health stores or natural food stores, but they are rarely elemental (completely pre-digested) and thus they are less easily absorbed. And they too usually contain artificial flavors and sweeteners.

In contrast, Absorb Plus is composed of natural ingredients, flavors and sweeteners in elemental (pre-digested) form. Our customers constantly comment on how light and fresh tasting it is and we even have completely healthy people using it as their daily breakfast shake just because it's such a nutritious, great-tasting product! Absorb Plus contains no oil so it's ideal for people with a fat intolerance. But we do encourage our customers to add the amount of organic flax oil that they can tolerate (between 1 tsp to 1 tbsp. per shake) to reap the benefits of the essential fatty acids (EFAs) and anti-inflammatory action of the Omega-3s contained in this good fat. Due to the quality nutrition contained in Absorb Plus, you'll gain solid weight (muscle, not fat!) if that's your goal - of course, you can also use Absorb Plus to simply maintain your existing weight.

This depends on your body weight and whether you wish to maintain or gain weight. Do not consume more than 12 shakes per day.
Please refer to the Absorb Plus USAGE AND CALORIE CHARTS.

No. However, it's a very good idea and we do encourage you to add organic, unrefined, cold-pressed, flax seed oil to increase Omega-3 and 'good fat' (Essential Fatty Acid) levels in your body, if you wish. We haven't included any flax oil in Absorb Plus for three reasons: Firstly, we wanted the product to work for people who have a complete fat intolerance, secondly, any cold-pressed oil needs to be kept refrigerated and in a dark container at all times or the fat denatures and becomes rancid. This would pose serious problems in shipping the product to you, so we chose instead to keep the product fat-free and encourage you to add your own from a bottle of flax oil you can buy refrigerated at the grocery store and then keep in your fridge. Thirdly, as different people can tolerate different levels of fat (dependent on type and location of illness and degree of inflammation), we felt it best to allow you to add the level of fat that's right for you.

We suggest you start with 1 teaspoon of organic, cold-pressed flax oil per shake (whip with Absorb Plus and water in the blender) and gradually increase to 1 tablespoon of flax oil per shake. Flax oil is a very delicate, unstable oil, so make sure you only buy an organic, cold-pressed brand that's been kept in the refrigerator (Spectrum Naturals is the best brand). Be sure to buy a small bottle and keep it refrigerated, use it up within 4-6 weeks of opening so it doesn't start to oxidize (become rancid) and irritate your gut. If you've been hemorrhaging or are very sensitive to oil, you may want to keep your bottle of flax oil in the freezer (it doesn't solidify completely) and squeeze it out as needed - this reduces the oxidation by 95%. If you find you're still sensitive to flax oil, then try the Udo's Choice Perfected Oil Blend - you may find it better tolerated. Also, if you're going to buy a brand of flax oil other than Spectrum Naturals, contact the company to ascertain whether they cold pasteurize the oil. If they don't and you're highly sensitive, you may react to the tiny mold spores or parasites that may be present in oil that hasn't been cold pasteurized.

Depending on your level of health (liver function, antioxidant capability, etc.) you'll be able to consume more or less oil. So let your body and your symptoms be your guide and find the level of supplementation that's right for your body. You can also use hemp oil, but the taste is quite strong so you may not like it. You may want to use flax oil in one shake, then Udo's in the next, and so on throughout the day. The Udo's is more expensive though, so if cost is an issue, then just use the flax oil. If you're completely intolerant of any liquid oils, then take enteric coated capsules of either flax oil, or fish oil (make sure the company tests for fish oil toxicity though) to get your anti-inflammatory Omega-3 and other essential fatty acids.

Most of the fat we consume is in unusable forms, which irritates our digestive system. Cold-pressed flax oil is absorbed very quickly and even people with a marked 'fat-intolerance' have no problem with it. Since the 1950's, most westerners have been severely deficient in Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) which leads to a wide variety of problems in the body. Regular ingestion of flax oil cures this deficiency. You can safely supplement up to 8-10 tablespoons per day of flax oil and a good maintenance dose is 2-4 tablespoons per day.

Flax oil has a very mild, unobtrusive taste and is also great in salad dressings, drizzled over cooked vegetables, or stirred into dips, salsa or yoghurt. However, do not heat the oil or use it to fry foods as this destroys the Essential Fatty Acids. Cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring also contain high levels of Omega-3 and other 'good fats' (EFA, GLA) needed by the body. If you try to work flax oil (Essential Fatty Acids) into these other areas of your diet it will soon be easy and delicious to get the amount you need each day. The other major benefit is that Omega-3 is a powerful anti-inflammatory and has been used solely in double-blind, placebo controlled studies to induce remission in patients with Crohn's Disease (The New England Journal of Medicine, June 13, 1996).

If you wish, or if you're traveling, you can just add 4 level scoops of Absorb Plus to 1 cup (8 ounces) of spring or filtered water and stir briskly till dissolved - it mixes easily with no lumps. However, to get the best taste from Absorb Plus, we recommend the following:

Directions for use - Absorb Plus (all 3 flavors):

• POUR 1 cup (8 ounces) of water* into a blender
• ADD 4 level scoops of Absorb Plus
• Add 1 tsp. - 1 tbsp. Udo's Choice Ultimate Oil Blend** (preferred), or, organic, cold-pressed flax oil (vary amount of oil according to tolerance - the more, the better) and whip on high speed for 10 seconds
• Pour over lots of ice, use a straw, and drink slowly for maximum nutrient absorption

*Use cold or room temperature water (spring or filtered). You can also use milk (cow's, rice, almond, etc.) if you prefer - but then the shake will not be elemental. Do not use hot liquids as this will denature the ingredients.

**Udo's Choice Ultimate Oil Blend is available at health and organic grocery stores or at www.udoerasmus.com.

Benefits of adding Udo's or Flax Oil

We recommend you add Udo's Choice Ultimate Oil blend (preferred), or, organic, unrefined, cold-pressed, flax seed oil to your Absorb Plus shakes, to increase Omega 3 and 'good fat' (Essential Fatty Acid) levels in your body. Good fats are an essential part of a healthy diet and body. Adding Udo's or flax oil to Absorb Plus will increase the calorie count per shake and also result in a tastier shake. We haven't included any oil in Absorb Plus for three reasons: Firstly, we wanted the product to work for people who have a complete fat intolerance.

Secondly, any cold-pressed oil needs to be kept refrigerated and in a dark container at all times or the fat denatures and becomes rancid.

Thirdly, as different people can tolerate different levels of fat (dependent on type and location of illness and degree of inflammation), we felt it best to allow you to add the level of fat that's right for you.

There is no fat in Absorb Plus, therefore, you really should add the Udo's or flax oil if at all possible (1 tsp - 1 tbsp per shakedepending upon tolerance, the more the better). Adding Udo's Oil and pouring over lots of ice also improves the taste. As well, some people prefer mixing the flavors and feel that tastes better than a single flavor: 2 scoops of Chocolate Royale and 2 scoops of Mixed Berry, for example. See RECIPES for more ideas.

You can start to feel the benefits of Absorb Plus in as little as 1 week.

The majority of people with a milk allergy are allergic to either lactose, or a dominant milk protein called casein. Cow's milk is composed of 80% casein and 20% whey. Absorb Plus is 99.8% lactose free and does not contain any casein. The protein component of Absorb Plus is a natural, cold-extracted whey protein isolate - ALL of the casein has been removed. Therefore, Absorb Plus may be safe and well tolerated even by those with a 'milk allergy' - as we've removed the commonly allergenic components.

*Please test a small amount first to be sure and if your allergy is severe, then don't consume, or only do so under the supervision of your physician.

Absorb Plus is now sold exclusively through Caramal Holistic Health Shoppe. They have a 30-day, 100% money back guarantee for unopened product. Please see their website for full details or to ask further questions: http://www.holistichealthshoppe.com/gurantee-policy.php If you've never tried Absorb Plus, we recommend you start by purchasing an Absorb Plus 3-Flavor Sample Pack. This gives you the chance to try the different flavors, and also see if you tolerate the product before purchasing larger tubs.

The Mixed Berry flavor is colored with a natural pink coloring that may be seen in the stool if you're drinking a lot of it or if you're using it as part of an elemental diet. When you're on an elemental diet, your stool is very minimal and only liquid, therefore the natural color passes through easily to the stool and can vary in color from light pink to red. It will clear in 2-3 bowel movements after the last Mixed Berry shake you've drunk and your stool will return to its normal color.

Yes, Absorb Plus can be taken with all ongoing prescriptions and herbal supplements.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is characterized by chronic abdominal pain or discomfort, a change in bowel pattern, such as loose or more frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, and/or constipation. It is understood as a multi-faceted disorder. Sometimes Irritable Bowel Syndrome is referred to as spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, or irritable colon.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is a chronic inflammation disorder of the small and/or large intestine. The most common forms of IBD are Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis, and Diverticulitis. The mucous membranes lining the colon become inflamed and develop ulcers, fissures, or blockages (from thickened scar tissue) causing bloody diarrhea, pain, gas, bloating, and sometimes hard stools. Ulcerative Colitis is limited to the mucosa and submucosa, which are the first two layers of the lining of the bowel. Crohn's disease involves those two layers and also the next two layers below, the muscular layer and the connective tissue layer. The factors causing the two problems appear to be parallel. Since so many similarities exist the details of differences are not covered here. Diverticulosis is the condition of having small pouches in the bowel wall, usually in the colon. When these small pouches become inflamed or infected the condition is called Diverticulitis.

US AND INTERNATIONAL
Absorb Plus is not currently available in any retail stores in the U.S. However, it can be purchased online from Caramal Holistic Health Shoppe: www.HolisticHealthShoppe.com

CANADA
In Canada, Absorb Plus can be purchased online from Caramal Holistic Health Shoppe and then shipped out from their Washington warehouse. Or, you can order and have your product shipped from Finlandia Natural Pharmacy in Vancouver, as per the following details:

Finlandia Natural Pharmacy, 1964 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1Z2, Canada. Toll Free: 1.800.363.4372, www.finlandiapharmacy.com.

For all email enquiries, please contact us at: service@imixnaturals.com

No, do not consume the dessicant pouch inside each jar of Absorb Plus. It is a harmless moisture and odor absorbant to keep the product at maximum freshness until you open it. Simply throw it away after opening the jar, or when you've finished the contents - whichever you prefer. If you've blended it into a shake by mistake, don't drink it and throw that shake out.

The easiest way to answer your question would be for you to read our detailed description of each of the ingredients of Absorb Plus - and compare them to the ingredient list in the products you're talking about. Right there you'll see the reason for the price difference. In whey protein alone (for example) there is a huge difference in protein quality, purity and bioavailabilty (i.e. how much the body can actually use and absorb), dependent upon the method of extraction used and the composition of the final whey isolate. Obviously, the better quality ingredients cost more, but the health benefits to you will be much greater.

The second issue to take into account is how much it would cost you to purchase all the same ingredients separately and mix them together - we researched this ourselves and it would indeed cost you much more. Then, if you add the cost of the all-natural flavors that Absorb Plus contains, the cost is even higher. So, basically, feel free to do your own research on the quality of our ingredients and you'll realize that for the level of nutrition and bioavailabily (absorbability) you're receiving, Absorb Plus is actually very fairly priced - and if you utilize the volume discounts available, it's quite a good deal.

Approximately 10 servings per jar - sometimes a little bit more, sometimes a little bit less as Absorb Plus is packed by weight and there can be some settling during shipping and storage.

Absorb Plus is a completely gluten-free product. The maltodextrin in Absorb Plus does not contain gluten and is not related to barley-derived malt.

Unfortunately, we can't tell you the osmolarity rating of Absorb Plus as we have not had it analyzed for that. However, we can tell you that maltodextrin (a major component of Absorb Plus) tends to absorb a lot of water so we expect the osmolarity rating of Absorb Plus would be high. Hence we advise people to drink an extra glass of spring or filtered water between shakes if you're drinking several or more per day.

Absorb Plus does not acutally "go bad", rather, the vitamins simply begin to lose their potency after 2 years (2 years being the standard expiry period of Absorb Plus). For the first year after the expiry date is passed, Absorb Plus' vitamins are probably at 80% of label claim. The minerals and the protein will still be within label claim for that year. The "freshness" of the flavour may also begin to lessen during the first year after expiry. For the second year after the expiry date, the potency of the Vitamins decrease even further to below 80% and the "freshness" of the flavour will further diminish. Refrigeration is not necessary after opening and the product remains stable even after the cap is opened.

I have noticed that my Candida returns if I consume too many shakes. I find them very sweet and the sugar content quite high. I have a friend who is interested in the shakes but she is hypoglycemic and can't tolerate too many carbs. I know the maltodextrin is supposed to take care of this, but for those of us who consume very little sweets, the sugar content is still too high. Would you consider producing an unflavored, unsweetened Absorb Plus that I could add my own sweetener to?

We empathise with your problems, however, there are a few difficulties in formulating the type of product you are requesting:

1. ALL carbohydrates are sugars. Even the most complex carbohydrate, vegetable matter, plant matter, etc. when broken down (during the digestive process) is turned into a sugar. Therefore, it is not possible to remove the sugars from a nutrient shake, unless you remove the carbohydrate component - and then you might as well save yourself some money and just consume straight whey protein. You may wish to do this and it is possible to buy unflavored, unsweetened whey protein.

2. Also, just so you know, maltodextrin (a carbohydrate) is a specific molecular compound known as a glucose polymer - yes, in essence, a sugar, albeit one with a slower uptake into the bloodstream than glucose or fructose.

3. Your suggestion for an unsweetened Absorb Plus is a good one and we are looking at sweetening with Stevia (a herb that actually helps with blood sugar regulation). We have been unable to do so thus far due to FDA ruling, however, you never know what can happen.... Keep in mind though, that the product would still contain maltodextrin as in order to be a full nutrient shake, it must have a carbohydrate (sugar) component.

4. Have you looked into Wild Oregano Oil for controlling/ eliminating your Candida problem? It is extremely effective and also an anti-inflammatory, so good for people with IBD. You can find out all about it (and what specifically to look for when buying Wild Oregano Oil) by going to: www.joyofthemountains.com

No, it's not really possible to make an elemental shake product that complies with the SCD. However, if you need some extra nutrition that's still easier to absorb than a regular meal, the easiest thing would be to purchase just straight whey protein (we recommend Proteins+) and whip it in a blender with 1 tsp. - 1 tbsp. of Udo's Oil and some allowable fruit and home-made yoghurt or water.

Absorb Plus has not been tested on pregnant women. However, none of the ingredients contained in Absorb Plus are contraindicated for pregnant or nursing women. Jini Patel Thompson (the formulator of Absorb Plus) consumed 1-2 shakes per day off and on during both her pregnancies and whilst breastfeeding. We did have one customer who went on a semi-elemental diet during her pregnancy - using Absorb Plus as her primary source of nutrition, but she also consumed fresh pressed vegetable juices to provide other essential nutrients. Her baby is 1 year old now and thriving. Please try to add Udo's Oil or flax oil to the shakes as they are key for brain development in the fetus and also for your health. The only instance where you would need to exercise caution is if you're diabetic - as the carbohydrate component of Absorb Plus goes into the bloodstream very quickly. In this case, please consult with your physician.

Yes, because Absorb Plus can be used in three ways:
1. to maintain your current weight whilst increasing your level of nutrition
2. to resolve malnutrition and gain solid, healthy weight (not fat)
3. to control calorie intake and lose weight whilst still getting good nutrition

Whether you want to lose weight, gain weight, or simply maintain your existing weight, is simply a matter of calories ingested. One serving of Absorb Plus, with 1 tbsp. of Udo’s Oil added = 485 calories.

You need 15 calories per pound of body weight, per day, just to maintain your existing weight. If you want to gain or lose weight, 1 pound = 3000 calories. Therefore, if you add 3000 calories per week to your existing diet, you’ll gain 1 pound per week. If you subtract 3000 calories per week from your normal diet, you’ll lose 1 pound per week.

E.g. Mary weighs 100 pounds. Therefore, to maintain her current weight she needs to consume 1500 calories per day. She could have an Absorb Plus shake for breakfast or dinner, and have her other 2 meals total 1015 calories per day.

To gain weight (1 pound per week) she needs to consume 1928 calories per day. So she would need to drink 1 Absorb Plus shake per day in addition to her current/regular diet. Or, she could have 2 Absorb Plus shakes per day and have her other food equal 958 calories per day.

To lose weight (1 pound per week) she would need to consume no more than 1072 calories per day – she could do this by eating 2 small meals (totaling 587 calories) and having an Absorb Plus shake for breakfast each day.

To ensure weight loss is long-term, make sure you don't lose too much weight, too quickly. One pound per week is really the maximum you should lose if you want to prevent a "famine response" in your body and lower your metabolism (the lower your metabolism, the more quickly you'll gain weight in future). To keep your metabolism at a good rate, ensure your endocrine (hormonal) system is healthy, exercise regularly, and eat at least 3 meals per day.

Absorb Plus is a pre-digested, liquid food product. Therefore, whilst consuming it, you will have liquid bowel movements - that feel and look like diarrhea, but actually are not. Also, liquid bowel movements feel more urgent and are often explosive. Again, this is not diarrhea, they are merely characteristics of having liquid bowel movements, because you're consuming a pre-digested, liquid food.

If you take Natren brand probiotics (www.natren.com) whilst consuming the shakes, this can often reduce the urgency and explosiveness of bowel movements. Take as directed on the bottle(s).

You're still gaining weight because you're not actually having diarrhea (characterized by undigested, unabsorbed food passing rapidly through the GI tract). You're still absorbing all of the high quality nutrients in Absorb Plus, thus your body is putting on good, solid weight. You're simply having liquid bowel movements since you're consuming liquid food.

The problem with an ELEMENTAL (pre-digested) product is that all the ingredients MUST be broken down into components that assimilate very quickly into the bloodstream (requiring very minimal digestion). ALL carbohydrates, when broken down, are composed of sugars. So unfortunately, there's no way round this. If you leave out the carbohydrate component, then it's very difficult to maintain your weight on it, and almost impossible to gain weight. Most people in need of an elemental product need to at least maintain their current weight and the majority need to gain weight. Hence Absorb Plus contains 56 g Maltodextrin (a glucose polymer) and 15 g Fructose (a monosaccharide sugar) per serving. The amount of Fructose in one serving of Absorb Plus is equivalent to that found in a medium size apple.

Because fructose must be changed to glucose in the liver in order to be utilized by the body, blood glucose levels do not rise as rapidly after fructose consumption compared to other simple sugars or even complex carbohydrates. For example, the glycemic load calculation for 10 grams of fructose is only 2. In comparison, the glycemic load for a slice of bread is 10, an apple is 7, and a cup of white rice 26. Fructose is not transported directly into the bloodstream after digestion and absorption, but is converted into glycogen in the liver where it is stored and used for energy at a later time. A recent trial demonstrated that no increase is seen in blood glucose after ingestion of fructose at 15 grams or less. This lowered glycemic response with fructose ingestion appeared to be most effective in those individuals who had the poorest glucose tolerance profiles. In non-diabetic individuals, fructose consumption results in little to no discernable rise in blood insulin levels.

You're still gaining weight because you're not actually having diarrhea (characterized by undigested, unabsorbed food passing rapidly through the GI tract). You're still absorbing all of the high quality nutrients in Absorb Plus, thus your body is putting on good, solid weight. You're simply having liquid bowel movements since you're consuming liquid food.

References:

1. nsminger AH, Ensminger ME, Konlande JE, et al. Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia .Clovis ,CA : Pegas Press; 1983.
2. Mann JI. Simple sugars and diabetes. DiabetMed 1987;4(2):135-39.
3. Uusitupa MIJ. Fructose in the diabetic diet. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59(3 Suppl):S753-S57.
4. Shi X, Schedl HP, Summers RM, et at. Fructose transport mechanisms in humans. Gastroenterology 1997;113(4):1171-79.
5. Moore MC, Cherrington AD, Mann SL, et at. Acute & fructose administration decreases the glycemic response to an oral glucose tolerance test in normal adults. J Clm Endocrinol Metab 2000;85(12):4515-19.
6. Nuttall FQ, Khan MA, Gannon MC. Peripheral glucose appearance rate following fructose ingestion in normal subjects. Metabolism 2000;49(12):1565-71.
7. Moore MC, Mann SL, Davis SN, et at. Acute fructose administration improves oral glucose tolerance in adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2001;24(11):1882-87.
8. Osei K, Bossetti B. Dietary fructose as a natural sweetener in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes: a 12-month crossover study of effects on glucose, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein metabolism. Diabet Med 1989;6(6):506-11.
9. Daly ME, Vale C, Walker M, et al. Dietary carbohydrates and insulin sensitivity: a review ofthe evidence and clinical implications. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;66(5):1072-85.
10. Dr. Michael T. Murray's Natural Facts Newsletter 2/3/2004

We contacted Natasha Trenev, the founder/owner of Natren probiotics and asked her your question. She replied that yes, you can mix Natren probiotic powders with Absorb Plus, but you must follow these directions:

1. Whip up your Absorb Plus shake in the blender first as usual
2. Take out 2 ounces of shake and mix in your probiotics with a spoon, to form a smooth paste
3. Add the paste mixture back to the rest of the shake and stir well with a spoon to mix thoroughly
4. Drink as usual

Absorb Plus is now sold exclusively through Caramal Holistic Health Shoppe. They have a 30-day, 100% money back guarantee for unopened product. Please see their website for full details or to ask further questions: http://www.holistichealthshoppe.com/gurantee-policy.php If you've never tried Absorb Plus, we recommend you start by purchasing an Absorb Plus 3-Flavor Sample Pack. This gives you the chance to try the different flavors, and also see if you tolerate the product before purchasing larger tubs

Flora, the company that manufactures Udo's Oil, provided us with this information in response to your question:

"This research was done in Germany, requested by FMD Ltd

Independent lab testing certifies that the gluten level in Udo's oil is about 3.6 ppm.

At the moment the Codex Alimentarius (the UN/WHO's expert body on nutrition) ruling is: Foods with less than 200 ppm of GLIADIN are "gluten-free".

Gluten is not one single protein as such, but a group of very similar proteins found in grains that are 'sticky' by nature. These proteins are called 'glutenins', but most of the time, people just use the term 'gluten' when describing them. It is not the gluten as such, that is toxic or allergenic to celiacs, but the gliadin in it. Gliadin is part of a gluten molecule, but exactly what percentage can vary between different glutenins. It is never more than a sub-fraction.

This means that according to the Codex, any foods with less than 200 ppm gluten can be considered gluten-free (from their point of view), because in order to get this amount of gliadin, you need a much higher gluten concentrations, as the gliadin is just a component of gluten.

So - at the moment - foods with less than 200 ppm gliadin can be called gluten free. There is some discussion on whether this limit should be lowered further, but right now, it does not seem possible to detect gliadin at levels lower than 20-40 ppm."

And Udo Erasmus himself, (the formulator of Udo's Oil) provided us with this information in response to your question:

"1. The amount of oat germ/bran we use is very small. We use it in the oil blend to obtain phytosterols, which block cholesterol absorption and improve immune function. The oil blend contains 65mg of phytosterols—from several seed sources—per tablespoon of oil. Phytosterols are oil-soluble, and are therefore dissolved in the oil.

2. Proteins are not oil-soluble, and therefore remain primarily in the seed cake—the hard seed leftover that remains after oil has been pressed from seeds. Therefore proteins are not found in Udo’s oil, although a very small amount of protein-like material may be present.

3. The total amount of protein-like material in unrefined oils (as opposed to grains or seeds) is 0.05% or less.

4. In Udo’s Choice Oil Blend, the amount of protein-like material derived from oat germ and bran is miniscule, because oat germ and bran make up less than 2% of the total ingredients in the oil. At a tablespoon per 50 pounds of body weight per day, a 150-pound person would take 3 tablespoons, which would weigh 42 grams or 42,000mg. Of this, less than 840mg would be from oats. And of that, one half of one tenth of one percent (0.05%)—0.42mg or less—might be protein-like material from oats. And of that, a maximum of only 15% would be protein that could ‘offend’, which brings ‘offending protein down to a maximum of 0.07mg. Finally, that tiny amount of protein-like material is less offensive than an equal amount of offensive protein from wheat, rye, or barley.

5. Given the small amount of oats used, oat contamination by wheat is negligible. At worst, Udo’s Choice Oil Blend might contain a few nanograms (billionths of gram) of protein-like material from wheat."

If you have any further questions, you can either search the subject on PubMed Medline (there's new research on oats and gluten), or contact Flora Manufacturing directly: www.florahealth.com

We have had several customers who experienced a rapid hearbeat on Absorb Plus shakes. Some doctors have theorized it's due to the very rapid uptake of nutrients to the bloodstream. For all of the customers who experienced this, it was a temporary thing that resolved automatically when they stopped drinking the shakes (many were on an elemental diet, so consuming 6-8 shakes per day). However, please consult your doctor for more advice and to make sure it is not due to any other factor.

Consuming food in strictly elemental (pre-digested) form often causes bloating. However, this is temporary and disappears once you taper down the shakes and begin eating regular food again. Ways to minimize the bloating include supplementing with probiotics, and consuming the shakes at room temperature.

If you're just mixing Absorb Plus with water, then waiting 1 hour after consumption should be fine. If you've added oil to your shake, then you'll need to wait 2 hours.

We have not had any reports of people's blood pressure increasing from ingesting Absorb Plus. But if you're concerned about it, the best thing would be to check with your doctor - since everyone's condition is different.

The sodium level in Absorb Plus is set to provide a balanced profile of electrolytes - since many people consume Absorb Plus as their sole food source for several weeks, or months.

If you're combining usage of Absorb Plus with regular food, then you may just want to decrease the amount of salt in your other foods, if this is a concern. But again, if you're not sure, then please check with your doctor.

"Pre-digested" means that the nutrients have been broken down into components that are much easier for your body to digest and absorb.

The process of digestion involves breaking down food into nutrients that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Hence the digestion of carbohydrates in the stomach takes about 1.5 hours, and protein takes about 2 hours.

With Absorb Plus, since a lot of the "digestion" or breaking down has already been done, the nutrients are in your bloodstream about 20 minutes after ingestion.

Many of our customers use Absorb Plus to recover from intestinal bleeding. And iron can trigger or exacerbate intestinal bleeding. This is why it has been left out of the formula and people can then supplement as needed.

Also, depending on the person's size, they will consume anywhere from 3 to 10 shakes per day. Since iron is a very powerful substance, it would be very hard to set an amount that suited everybody and wouldn't lead to iron toxicity for some.

We have a customer whose colon had been removed, plus he had short bowel syndrome (where a lot of the small intestine has been removed). Needless to say, getting enough nutrients is a challenge for him. He has used Absorb Plus regularly and ongoing for about 3-4 years now.

However, what he found helped was to also take some psyllium seed powder at the same time, to slow down the transit and bulk up the liquid. Otherwise the Absorb Plus would go through his system very rapidly. He would also take some L-Glutamine on an empty stomach to further assist - but he found the psyllium worked better for him than the L-Glutamine (which makes sense since L-Glutamine's water-absorption activity is primarily in the colon). You could try this and see how it works for you.

"Thousands of people have successfully used Absorb Plus to date (and pretty much all people with IBD have some degree of Candida overgrowth).

Candida albicans is a yeast organism. And it is a natural and beneficial resident throughout our entire bodies - as long as it is in a healthy balance with other microorganisms.

The problem occurs when there is a Candida overgrowth. This happens for numerous reasons but it is often triggered by drug antibiotic or steroid use. These drugs kill off the good bacteria in the gut, which normally keep Candida in balance.

Like many microorganisms, simple carbohydrates (sugars) are also the preferred food of yeast organisms like Candida albicans.

Now, when it comes to healing gut disorders, the healing often has to occur in layers, because you just can't treat everything at once - the body can't handle it. So, compared to intestinal bleeding, malnutrition and malabsorption, continual pain, etc. Candida is definitely a 'lesser stage' problem and can be dealt with after the more serious symptoms are resolved.

This is because there is NO elemental product in existence that will not feed Candida - because ALL carbohydrates are broken down into sugars. So even if you ingest a fructose-free elemental product, the maltodextrin (or whatever else the carbohydrate source might be) will still feed the Candida.

Wild oregano oil and high dose probiotics combined should be sufficient to keep Candida in check whilst on an elemental diet - for some it is even enough to resolve the Candida issue.

If it doesn't resolve the Candida issue, then the Candida overgrowth can be fully addressed after completing the elemental diet. My recent teleseminar with Dr. Carolyn Dean MD ND (Candida, Detox & More!) gives you exact instructions for how to accomplish this. Also, please see my blog post for an even more complete answer to this question.

Yes, the maltodextrin in Absorb Plus is from corn. However, when people have an allergy, it is usually the protein component of the food that they are allergic to. Hence an allergy to corn is usually to the protein component of corn. Maltodextrin contains no protein, only carbohydrate.

Thus, many people with a "corn allergy" can tolerate Absorb Plus, since it does not contain any of the protein portion of corn. However, since everyone's body is different, the only way to know for sure is to test it and see.

It is rare, but it does occur, that people get constipated on an elemental diet.

This can be because of the maltodextrin - which absorbs a lot of water. So you need to be following the recommendation to drink a large glass of water between shakes.

You also need to be sure you're adding 1 tablespoon of Udo's oil (or flax) to each shake.

Another trick we have discovered is to put 125 - 250 mg of magnesium citrate in your last Absorb Plus shake before bed, along with 1.5 tablespoons of Udo's oil. This will usually produce a bowel movement, but the shake will buffer the irritation you can sometimes get from the magnesium. It works really well, so please give it a try.

Probiotics are also key to balancing the bacterial flora so bowel movements eventually normalize.