Enteric Coating

For some of our complex formulas we utilize a new delivery technology. This delivery system is state of the art and is usually only found with advanced pharmaceutical products.

The key to this delivery system is what is known as an enteric coating. This coating which is made up of pH sensitive polymers attaches to the tablets and remains intact in the acidic environment of the stomach (pH 1 - 3.5).

After passing through the stomach the coating then disintegrates in the small intestine (duodenum) which has an alkaline environment (pH 6.5 - 7.6).

The coating on the tablets is inert

The polymers are inactive, non absorbable and leave the body without altering or adding anything to it. The product that we use for this is the same that is used for sophisticated pharmaceutical drugs and has been thoroughly proven worldwide for both efficacy and safety.

Apart from the protection that this system gives to the ingredients in certain Xtend-Life tablets it also prevents any irritation of the gastric mucosa in the stomach which is common with many supplements and drugs.

Each batch is tested

Each batch of tablets are tested for disintegration using protocols set out by the British Pharmacopeia. These tests are conducted using specialist equipment. The following are typical of the test results:

1. No disintegration of the tablet after 2 hours in a fluid simulating the stomach. 
2. Total disintegration of the enteric coating after 12 minutes in a buffeted pH environment simulating the duodenum. 
3. Total disintegration of the tablet within 60 minutes of entering the duodenum. 

This is how the digestive system processes a tablet/s

After the tablet has been swallowed it is transported by peristaltic contractions of the esophagus into the stomach. The stomach is a pouch-like structure that serves as a food reservoir during early stages of digestion. The stomach churns and gyrates to mix (food or) tablet with digestive secretions such as the enzyme pepsin and hydrochloric acid (stomach acid).

However, the Xtend-Life tablet is not affected by the stomach acid. In general food stays in the stomach for 45 minutes up to generally 2 hours.

It then is transported into the upper small intestine, called the duodenum. The "small" intestine is about 20-23 foot long and consists of 3 segments, the duodenum (22 cm or 10 inches long), the jejunum and the ileum. In the small intestine the tablet releases its ingredients after about 20 -60 minutes in the more alkaline environment and they are absorbed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.

Additional enzymes are added to all Xtend-Life enteric coated tablets to further help the breakdown of certain nutrients. This is not practical for non enteric coated tablets because the enzymes would be damaged by the stomach acid.  Absorption of minerals occurs mainly in the duodenum; absorption of water-soluble vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins occurs in the jejunum; and the ileum absorbs fat-soluble vitamins.

The pancreas secretes pancreatic enzymes into the small intestine, consisting of lipases, proteases and amylases. Lipase helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Amylases break down starch. Proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase) break down protein molecules into single amino acids.

The liver produces bile, important in the absorption of fats, oils, and fat-soluble vitamins. The common bile duct and the pancreatic duct connect with the jejunum to transport these substances into the small intestine. The inactive components of the tablet (the inert excipients and the fragments of the enteric coating) combine with the waste products from food and are transported into the colon or large intestine (which is about 1.5 m or 5 foot long), and then continue to pass out of the body.

What happens to 'normal' tablets, capsules and liquid supplements?

When you swallow a 'normal' good quality tablet, capsule, or take a supplement liquid this is what happens:

1. The active ingredients are released in the stomach. 
2. The stomach acids attack the ingredients and breaks them into smaller particles (yellow in the below illustration…Fig 1).
3. Depending upon the active ingredient the majority of it is destroyed by the acid. (Note: Not all ingredients are damaged by stomach acid which is why some tablets are not enteric coated)
4. Whilst some of the ingredients are in the process of being 'attacked' this can result in a feeling of 'discomfort'. 
5. The remaining ingredients or part thereof, that are not destroyed continue on to the small intestine where they go through the absorption process via the walls of the upper intestine (red in the illustration).
6. Poor quality tablets full of cheap binders may pass through both the stomach and the intestine and pass out of the body with virtually no absorption.

Fig 1

What happens to Xtend-Life Enteric Coated tablets?

None of the active ingredients are released in the stomach as in the above illustration. Instead they are released in the small intestine as indicated in red with only minimal loss (Fig 2).

Fig 2