Serracor NK vs Neprinol**

* http://aznow.biz/health-care/justin-marsh-japanese-enzymes-cure-people

AST Enzymes recently learned of false claims, misstatements and misrepresentations by one of our competitors. These claims call into question the business practices of Specialty Enzymes and Biotechnologies and the quality of Serracor-NK.

Specialty Enzymes & Biotechnologies (SEB) is a major international manufacturer of enzymes for more than 20 industries, including the nutraceutical industry. Vic Rathi, president and founder of SEB, formulated the original Neprinol^® for Arthur Andrew Medical (AAM), an enzyme marketing company. The proprietary formula remains the intellectual property of SEB; AAM was not privy to the formula.

SEBkinase^® is a blend of enteric-coated nattokinase and serrapeptase, which was first introduced in commerce by SEB in 2002. Two years later, in 2004, SEB was contracted to formulate and make finished products, not raw material, for AAM and SEBkinase became an integral part of the original formula of Neprinol until 2008. During the duration of this contract:

• SEB received no complaints, verbal or in writing, at any point about the quality and efficacy of Neprinol.
• SEB did not provide any Neprinol product to AAM in 2009, so any complaints or refunds made thereafter were not for its products. A major distributor who worked with AAM at the time says they did not receive any complaints nor requests for refunds, and there was no apology issued to customers.
• A review of the batches of Neprinol sold during that time shows activity levels were in accordance with AAM’s requests. In addition, the weight of the powder inside the capsules was within the accepted range of label claims and GMP Standards.
• Initial production and sale of Serracor-NK was the result of feedback from previous Neprinol customers who contacted SEB as the manufacturer, requesting the original SEBkinase formula.

The quality of SEB products and services are evident in the fact that it has been in business for more than 50 years and continues to experience tremendous growth. In fact, in 2010 SEB expanded its manufacturing facilities, adding a new 25,000 square foot building to meet growing manufacturing demands. Thousands of satisfied customers can attest to the quality and efficacy of our products, and the integrity of our business practices.

Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics is an innovator, creating and manufacturing several of the best-selling enzyme supplements on the market today.

Please feel free to call us with questions.

Serracor-NK SEBkinase Formula Remains Unchanged

Specialty Enzymes did not change the formula for SEBkinase or the original formula for Neprinol, which is now available from AST Enzymes as Serracor-NK. Claims that we allegedly lowered the activity of SEBkinase in the original Neprinol formula are untrue. Our SEBkinase blend is unchanged since its introduction. The SEBkinase in Serracor-NK is the same as the SEBkinase in the original formulation of Neprinol. Nothing has changed but the name.

Enteric Coated Serrapeptase and Nattokinase

All enzymes have a pH range.  At the extremes of this range, whether acid or alkaline, systemic enzymes will denature (become irreversibly inactive). While it is true that most fungal and plant source systemic enzymes exhibit a fairly broad pH range, some bacterial sourced systemic enzymes are less tolerant of low pH. Because we are the actual manufacturer of our enzymes, we test them for both pH and temperature stability.  Based on the results of these kinetic studies, we have repeatedly demonstrated that serrapeptase and nattokinase are much less tolerant of a low pH and will begin to lose activity in acidic conditions consistent with the stomach.  Therefore, for maximum effectiveness, serrapeptase and nattokinase are best when enterically coated.

When we design a systemic enzyme blend for human consumption, we have to ensure that it will tolerate the pH variables of our gastrointestinal system. We have successfully done this with our systemic enzyme products, including Peptizyme SP (enteric coated serrapeptase), NattoSEB (enteric coated nattokinase) and SEBKinase (a blend of Peptizyme and NattoSEB).  As a result of our experience and expertise, our entire line of enteric-coated enzymes are able to reach the small intestine with higher activity for full systemic enzyme therapy.

Make an Informed Choice

There are several systemic enzyme products on the market today. In this case, there are two alternatives: an enzyme product from an expert manufacturer or one from a marketing company. You deserve the highest quality and most effective enzyme products available. We encourage you to make an informed choice.

Enteric Coating Comparison

*AST Enzymes uses MAAC as enteric coating

What is enteric coating, and why is it needed?

Enteric coating is a layer of protective coating for dietary supplements that is meant to allow the supplement to bypass digestion by the stomach and be absorbed in the small intestine. Systemic enzymes are proteins, so their functional structures are denatured (or destroyed) in conditions of extreme pH and temperature. Without enteric coating, enzymes would be rendered useless long before they reach the bloodstream, where their carry out their beneficial effects.

What’s enteric coating made of?

At AST Enzymes, we use Methacrylic Acid Copolymer (MAAC) for our enteric coating. Methacrylic Acid Copolymer (MAAC) is not a phthalate. According to independent studies, MAAC is the most gastro-resistant when compared to other commonly used enteric coating agents such as Cellulose Acetate Phthalate (CAP) and Hydroxypropyl Methycellulose Phthalate (HPMCP). This means that MAAC can most effectively withstand the acidity of the stomach, allowing its contents to be released in the small intestine and absorbed successfully.

Don’t let the name scare you. MAAC is a food-grade compound that has been in use as enteric coating in the pharmaceutical industry for over 50 years with no reported side effects. In fact, the European Food Safety Authority – an organization that conducted studies which led to the ban of 6 types of phthalates in personal care products in Europe in 2004 – has deemed MAAC safe for use as coating agent in food supplements.

Not only is MAAC listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also conducted various studies and found sufficient information to reasonably conclude that the current use pattern of MAAC will not adversely affect public health or the environment.

** Neprinol^® and Acid Armor^® are registered trademarks of Arthur Andrews Medical Inc., which is not affiliated with, nor sponsors or endorses this product or any other product from Specialty Enzymes & Biotechnologies or AST Enzymes.