JUVIA™ for Healthcare Professionals

Welcome to the JUVIA’s healthcare professionals page. This area of the site is intended to provide additional and detailed scientific information about JUVIA, its active ingredient ERME™, and the gut microbiome.

HELPING PATIENTS WITH IBS

JUVIA Digestive Balance Formula is backed by cutting-edge science pioneered by Professor John Hunter, formerly of Addenbrooke’s Hospital, and Dr Rosemary Waring, University of Birmingham, leading investigators in the areas of gut health and metabolic disorders.

JUVIA contains ERME™, a unique natural ingredient derived from 100% sustainable barley. Our scientists discovered that the active digestive enzymes in ERME help break down carbohydrates before they can cause symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps, constipation and diarrhoea, which are associated with IBS. This can mean no more restrictive diets or worrying where the bathroom is and freedom to live your life.

Research has shown that both GPs and people with IBS feel frustrated at the lack of effective treatments.¹

A GROUND-BREAKING NEW FOOD SUPPLEMENT

The research that has led to JUVIA was the first to establish the role that bacteria and fermentation plays in gut health. Published in the Lancet back in 1998 by Professor Hunter, the research led to an understanding that when the small intestine doesn’t digest food completely, especially carbohydrates, it can cause malfermentation in the large intestine. In turn, this can lead to the growth of unhealthy flora. This imbalance can irritate the gut.

To the best of our knowledge, ERME is the first product that attempts to specifically address the causes and the symptoms of certain types of IBS by optimising carbohydrate metabolism and mal-fermentation.

Our latest study was in patients with chronic constipation, which showed statistically significant decreases in constipation (KESS) score, abdominal pain and bloating. Read more in BMJ/Gut

How ERME™ works

Our research suggests ERME works in two ways − it consists of a range of enzymes, including amylases and glucanases, which break down starch and plant materials into glucose and other simple carbohydrates early in the digestive process and provide energy. This means that much less starch is available for mal-fermentation in the lower gut.

The enzymes are surrounded by a matrix comprised mostly of malt polysaccharides, which protects the enzymes as they pass through the stomach. The matrix also re-balances the naturally-existing microbiome, improving the levels of ‘good’ bacteria. Unlike probiotics, alien bacterial species are not introduced.

About the gut microbiome

The human gut is full of billions of bacteria with viruses and fungi, which are collectively known as ‘the microbiome’. In health, these components stay in balance. The bacteria help to regulate the immune system and protect against other bacteria that cause diseases. They also help to digest food, breaking it down (’fermenting’ it) to small molecules that are used for energy and metabolism. If too much carbohydrate is present or if the breakdown is inefficient, then ‘bad’ bacteria thrive, producing toxic chemicals which irritate the gut. This unbalanced microbiome is thought to be linked with a number of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, immune function and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

How can JUVIA help you as a healthcare professional?

Gastrointestinal problems are common in primary care. The British Society of Gastroenterology estimates that GI complaints account for one in ten GP consultations⁵. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is by far the most common gastrointestinal condition seen by GPs.³ Outpatient referral to gastroenterology and colorectal specialties for patients with IBS or IBS-related symptoms are increasing, accounting for approximately 7.5% of total outpatient attendances across all specialties.⁴ Treatments commonly used in primary care to treat IBS cost the NHS over £75 million.³ Research has shown that both GPs and people with IBS feel frustrated at the lack of effective treatments.¹

BACKED BY CUTTING-EDGE SCIENCE

An initial pilot study showed that IBS sufferers’ symptoms were significantly improved after taking the recommended dosage. Hydrogen breath levels (a marker for poor carbohydrate metabolism) after eating bread were significantly lower with ERME vs Control
An open-label pilot study of 15 patients showed that after 4 weeks of ERME, the overall constipation score was significantly reduced as determined by a Knowles-Eckersley-Scott Symptoms questionnaire. Bloating, pain and flatulence were also significantly reduced
ERME has been investigated in a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study examining a number of IBS symptoms, lifestyle factors, biomarkers and using the cutting-edge technique metagenomics (identifying the species in the microbiome by looking at the DNA/RNA). This is important because conventional culture techniques cannot identify most gut bacteria. Results will be available later this year.

References

Törnblom H, Goosey R, Wiseman G, Baker S, Emmanuel A. Understanding symptom burden and attitudes to irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea: Results from patient and healthcare professional surveys. United European Gastroenterol J. 2018 Nov; 6(9): 1417–1427. PMCID: PMC6206540; PMID: 30386615
King TS, Elia M, Hunter JO. Abnormal colonic fermentation in irritable bowel syndrome. The Lancet. Volume 352, Issue 9135, 10 October 1998, Pages 1187-1189
Thompson WG, Heaton KW, Smyth GT, Smyth C. Irritable bowel syndrome in general practice: prevalence, characteristics, and referral. Gut. 2000 Jan;46(1):78-82. doi: 10.1136/gut.46.1.78. PMID: 10601059; PMCID: PMC1727778.
Soubieres A, Wilson P, Poullis A, Wilkins J, Rance M. Burden of irritable bowel syndrome in an increasingly cost-aware National Health Service. Frontline Gastroenterol. 2015 Oct;6(4):246-251. doi: 10.1136/flgastro-2014-100542. Epub 2015 Feb 24. PMID: 28839818; PMCID: PMC5369587.
https://www.bsg.org.uk/news/national-report-for-gastroenterology-will-help-the-nhs-recover-services-and-deal-with-future-surges-of-covid-19/

MELISSA'S STORY

It’s been 20 years of IBS symptoms for Melissa; 20 years of bloating, wind and discomfort. Over the years Melissa has had a number of investigations and tried different diets and remedies, but the pain and embarrassment continued.

“It can be absolutely mortifying. I’ve been caught out before when I’ve been out and needed to find a toilet quickly. When it’s at its worst I just want to hide away” Melissa says.

After years of battling symptoms and trying different approaches to get control without success, Melissa was sceptical about whether JUVIA™ Digestive Balance Formula would work for her. However, Melissa quickly noticed a significant improvement in her symptoms: “Every day before I started JUVIA I had symptoms, but that changed right away after I started the supplement. Less bloating, less pain, less wind – and less embarrassment because of that.”