<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 12:15:17 -0500
Subject: Enzymes and Celiac Disease
From: "Sarah M. Buchanan" <[log in to unmask]>

Nancy,
I apologize for the mix-up that has occurred concerning the manufacturing
process of Carbohydrase and of the other enzymes of the Advanced Enzyme
Formula line.  I was out of the office and unavailable to answer questions
and my impression is that misinformation was given out.

To absolutely clarify the questions concerning gluten, exposure to wheat, or
any other risk these enzymes could pose to those with celiac disease:
The fungus used to isolate these enzymes is non-pathogenic.  It secretes the
enzymes, so there is no difficulty in isolating the enzymes or separating
them from the fungus during filtration. The fungus are grown on rice bran
mats, so there truly is NO CONTACT of ANY kind with wheat at any part of the
isolation process.  This previous statement was the cause of misinformation
in which our salesperson thought that occasionally the fungus is grown on
wheat bran. Even if this were the case, WHICH IT IS NOT--there would be NO
wheat of ANY kind in the product anyway due to the ultrafine filtration that
the enzymes go through. Think of it this way, if the fungus is completely
filtered from the product during the process, there is no way a bran of ANY
kind will make it through the filter either.

These enzymes are gluten free without question.  You may desire to refer to
the previous posting you made regarding the corn issue.  There is an
extremely small amount of corn starch in these enzymes to "cut them",
however my experience, as I told you was that the enzymes digest away the
corn constituents and your testimony is proof of this.  In my opinion,
people with these concerns have very little, if anything, to worry about.
If anyone has any questions, they can call me at 1-800-637-7893.
I am so glad that my recommendations have helped you so tremendously!

Sarah M. Buchanan, MD
Director of Clinical Research
Enzymes, Inc.