Gastrointestinal applications

The Body holds a normal pH of between 7.36 and 7.44. If its level is above or below this, the resulting condition is known as acidosis or alkalosis.

Acidosis is an unphysiologically high level of acidification in the body that can have several causes. The most common of these is a poor diet. A diet extremely rich in protein, e.g. a lot of meat, produces large quantities of metabolic salts that can result in excessive acidity¹. But physical stress such as endurance sport, for example, can also cause the body's pH to fall.

Diabetics who become deficient in insulin run the risk of suffering diabetic ketoacidosis. Here, the lack of insulin causes the body to obtain energy from fats and proteins, which can lead to massive over-acidification.

An extremely fatty diet, excessive alcohol consumption and even emotional stress can lead to an exceeding production of gastric acid, and a classic case of heartburn.

In all these cases, the body's natural buffer systems can no longer neutralize the resulting acids. The following complaints are discomfort, weakness or digestive problems. Chronic over-acidification can lead to the increased loss of minerals in the bones, which can raise the likelihood of osteoporosis, especially in old age ¹. Acute diabetic ketoacidosis can even be life-threatening.

Antacids – nutritional supplements or drugs – provide relief, neutralizing metabolic or gastric acids. Heartburn defined as localized acidosis of the stomach, can be neutralized through the oral administration of alkaline minerals. As required endurance athletes take alkaline nutritional supplements to stabilize their body's pH during and after their workout.

Severe systemic acidosis, on the other hand, is treated by administering a bicarbonate infusion, such as sodium bicarbonate, for example. A buffer solution is given intravenously, increasing the pH of the blood plasma. This neutralizes excess acid by means of reaction 2 H⁺ + HCO₃^-→ H₂O + CO₂ to water and carbon dioxide, released by excretion or ejection in the breath.

We offer a large range of minerals that act as buffers, for both oral and systemic antacids. We are able to produce antacids for infusion in especially low-endotoxin grades.

• Calcium Carbonate
• Magnesium Carbonate
• Magnesium Hydroxide
• Magnesium Oxide
• Magnesium Trisilicate
• Sodium Bicarbonate

Laxatives are medicines that facilitate the evacuation of stool and are used to stop constipation. Constipation is defined as a situation in which the bowel cannot be emptied at least three times a week without straining. Various things can cause constipation (obstipation). The most common causes are an unbalanced diet low in fiber, insufficient fluid intake and lack of movement. Emotional stress or a disruption to the daily routine, such as travelling, can also lead to constipation³.

Less common triggers are neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, paraplegia, anatomical changes or – in the worst case – an ileus or intestinal obstruction, possibly caused by a tumor (rectal cancer)³. Constipation can e.g. be triggered by an acute lack of potassium⁴.

Therefore, a doctor should always be consulted in the event of ongoing constipation before a patient potentially chooses to self-medicate and opts for treatment with a laxative. Various laxatives are available to accelerate bowel evacuation.

In addition, the use of laxatives is indicated in preparation for an operation or colonoscopy. For this purpose a range of mineral salts is used as laxatives.

Traditional mineral laxatives include Carlsbad salt (or Glauber's salt; sodium sulfate). Various magnesium salts such as Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom salts) can also be considered as laxatives.

All mineral laxatives work in the same way: the salt taken orally creates an osmotic gradient towards the intestinal lumen, leading to more fluid flowing into the bowel. This increases pressure inside the bowel, which then considerably facilitates evacuation.

We offer a range of magnesium salts and Sodium Sulfate in various pharmaceutical grades for use as laxatives.

• Magnesium Carbonate
• Magnesium Citrate
• Magnesium Hydroxide
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Sodium Sulfate