Crushing Enzymes?

[Incomudrox]

I was reading around on a CFers question somewhere about how many enzymes to take with tube feeds. While I could not answer the question I was reading some of the responses. Apparently there used to be a powder called Viokase but it isn't made anymore or at least sellable in the US because of the same reasoning you can get Ultrase. That being said, one of the guys said he takes his Zenpep and grinds it up in a coffee grinder and adds it to his feed mix. Has anyone ever done thing? I'm assuming it would worse as enzymes need heat (i think) to start working as well as stomach acid? Someone anyone have any idea on this? I'm looking to try it and probably will anyway.

 

[Incomudrox]

I was reading around on a CFers question somewhere about how many enzymes to take with tube feeds. While I could not answer the question I was reading some of the responses. Apparently there used to be a powder called Viokase but it isn't made anymore or at least sellable in the US because of the same reasoning you can get Ultrase. That being said, one of the guys said he takes his Zenpep and grinds it up in a coffee grinder and adds it to his feed mix. Has anyone ever done thing? I'm assuming it would worse as enzymes need heat (i think) to start working as well as stomach acid? Someone anyone have any idea on this? I'm looking to try it and probably will anyway.

 

[MCGrad2006]

I don't think it is advised to crush the enzymes. I think that even if you do break up the capsule you are not even supposed to "chew" the little pieces.

 

[MCGrad2006]

I don't think it is advised to crush the enzymes. I think that even if you do break up the capsule you are not even supposed to "chew" the little pieces.

 

[Havoc]

Yes, I was on viokase as a baby. According to my parents, it was hell on my mouth. Enzymes have a coating on them that is designed to withstand the acid in the stomach and then be released in the small bowel where digestion and uptake of nutrients occurs. This is why chewing or crushing enzymes is discouraged.

Tube feeding is a different story, however. I suppose it would depend on what type of tube you had (g-tube v. j-tube). With a g-tube I would think that you would want enzymes to function as they would taken by mouth, but grinding might be beneficial with a j-tube.

This is of course speculation on my part as I haven't researched any of this.

 

[Havoc]

Yes, I was on viokase as a baby. According to my parents, it was hell on my mouth. Enzymes have a coating on them that is designed to withstand the acid in the stomach and then be released in the small bowel where digestion and uptake of nutrients occurs. This is why chewing or crushing enzymes is discouraged.

Tube feeding is a different story, however. I suppose it would depend on what type of tube you had (g-tube v. j-tube). With a g-tube I would think that you would want enzymes to function as they would taken by mouth, but grinding might be beneficial with a j-tube.

This is of course speculation on my part as I haven't researched any of this.

 

[beautifulsoul]

Frank-
<br>

<br> From my own personal experience, my CF clinic dietitian advised me to try this- Open the capsules and pour the enzymes into a ziplock baggie and use a rolling pin or hammer to crush them. She did warn me that they will NOT crush into a complete powder but a powdery like substance and that they will still work. Then, just pour it directly into the formula/feed bag. She mentioned that she has other patients that do this and it seems to work well for them.<br>


<br> I've had many stomach issues with my cf ever since I was young so I've tried many things over the years. My current problem is digesting correctly and sometimes constipation. I've tried different types of formula to help with the issues. Anyways, the whole point of crushing the enzymes (for my own benefit) is to break down the contents of the formula itself so it's easier on my stomach. Not as strong. However, this did not work for me because crushing the enzymes with a rolling pin and ziplock bag is too time consuming every night (plus you can't count on that in certain situations) and you would need to use a different baggie either every night or every other night due to it being worn out from rolling over it so many times. I did not try a hammer because I currently have no surface to hammer on. I'm definitely not using my kitchen table. One other major concern with this method is that, since the enzymes don't crush into a complete powder, they got stuck in the tubing, causing my pump machine to beep resulting in complete failure of the idea. It might be the type of feeding bags I use? Not sure if there are other brands or different style of bags available. Depends on what your healthcare company offers. <br>


<br>Even though this didn't work for me, I thought I should still mention it. What doesn't work for one person might work for someone else. Just my two cents.<br>


<br> Edited to add- My enzymes are Creon 1200. Not sure if the type of enzyme being used makes a difference when they are being crushed. <br>

 

[beautifulsoul]

Frank-
<br>

<br> From my own personal experience, my CF clinic dietitian advised me to try this- Open the capsules and pour the enzymes into a ziplock baggie and use a rolling pin or hammer to crush them. She did warn me that they will NOT crush into a complete powder but a powdery like substance and that they will still work. Then, just pour it directly into the formula/feed bag. She mentioned that she has other patients that do this and it seems to work well for them.<br>


<br> I've had many stomach issues with my cf ever since I was young so I've tried many things over the years. My current problem is digesting correctly and sometimes constipation. I've tried different types of formula to help with the issues. Anyways, the whole point of crushing the enzymes (for my own benefit) is to break down the contents of the formula itself so it's easier on my stomach. Not as strong. However, this did not work for me because crushing the enzymes with a rolling pin and ziplock bag is too time consuming every night (plus you can't count on that in certain situations) and you would need to use a different baggie either every night or every other night due to it being worn out from rolling over it so many times. I did not try a hammer because I currently have no surface to hammer on. I'm definitely not using my kitchen table. One other major concern with this method is that, since the enzymes don't crush into a complete powder, they got stuck in the tubing, causing my pump machine to beep resulting in complete failure of the idea. It might be the type of feeding bags I use? Not sure if there are other brands or different style of bags available. Depends on what your healthcare company offers. <br>


<br>Even though this didn't work for me, I thought I should still mention it. What doesn't work for one person might work for someone else. Just my two cents.<br>


<br> Edited to add- My enzymes are Creon 1200. Not sure if the type of enzyme being used makes a difference when they are being crushed. <br>

 

[JustDucky]

I wonder if you could use something like a bullet or ninja to pulverize your enzymes Amber.....I have used them to turn hard candies into fine powder (to add to frostings etc)....I would think that it would work well with the enzymes. The only problem I could forsee is that the powder might get stuck on the sides, but then you could add some water to get all of the enzymes out. Just a thought...

Jenn 40 w/CF

 

[JustDucky]

I wonder if you could use something like a bullet or ninja to pulverize your enzymes Amber.....I have used them to turn hard candies into fine powder (to add to frostings etc)....I would think that it would work well with the enzymes. The only problem I could forsee is that the powder might get stuck on the sides, but then you could add some water to get all of the enzymes out. Just a thought...

Jenn 40 w/CF

 

[Mommafirst]

We've been doing this for my daughter lately. We hook up her extension to her g-tube before she goes to bed, but don't start running the feeds until she is asleep, so she can't just swallow the pills. We purchases a mortar and pestle set (marble about $8) and it crushes them quickly and easiliy into a powdery substance. We feel like old time apothacary pharmacists!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> We mix the powder with applesauce and and use a syringe and flush to get it into her stomach and then run the feed. Because we don't put it in the bag with the formula, we don't have to worry about the tube getting clogged.

I htink the biggest concern with crushing would be if it were an oral ingesting situation.

 

[Mommafirst]

We've been doing this for my daughter lately. We hook up her extension to her g-tube before she goes to bed, but don't start running the feeds until she is asleep, so she can't just swallow the pills. We purchases a mortar and pestle set (marble about $8) and it crushes them quickly and easiliy into a powdery substance. We feel like old time apothacary pharmacists!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> We mix the powder with applesauce and and use a syringe and flush to get it into her stomach and then run the feed. Because we don't put it in the bag with the formula, we don't have to worry about the tube getting clogged.

I htink the biggest concern with crushing would be if it were an oral ingesting situation.

 

[Incomudrox]

Thanks for the info everyone.. I'll probably buy a coffee grinder and give it a whirl to see how it works out. I'd rather not wake up in the middle of the night to take enzymes half-way through.

 

[Incomudrox]

Thanks for the info everyone.. I'll probably buy a coffee grinder and give it a whirl to see how it works out. I'd rather not wake up in the middle of the night to take enzymes half-way through.