Entero-Chronic

Entero-Chronic is a new treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and other chronic intestinal disorders that cause continuous inflammation and/or lesions of the intestinal lining.

I have begun using Entero-Chronic in my clinic and feel very positive about the results so far. Entero-Chronic has the definite potential to spare some dogs with IBD prednisone treatment, and given the immunosuppressive properties and assorted side effects of corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory treatments that don't rely on prednisone or other immunosuppressants are always preferable.

What Is Entero-Chronic?

Entero-Chronic is an innovative new treatment for chronic inflammatory intestinal disorders. It comes from Spain and is now readily available throughout Europe; however, I'm not sure about the availability of Entero-Chronic in the rest of the world.

While at least two of Entero-Chronic's components (GAG and MOS) are widely available as dietary supplements, I have not previously seen the main ingredient, Alpha-Glucan Butyrogenic.

A four gram dose of Entero-Chronic contains:

• 2,500 mg Alpha-Glucan Butyrogenic
• 120 mg Mucopolysaccharides (also known as Glycosaminoglycans)
• 300 mg Beta-glucans and Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS)

Alpha-Glucan Butyrogenic is a resistant starch (RS) that is fermented by probiotic bacteria in the large intestine to produce the short-chain fatty acid butyrate. Resistant starch is sometimes referred to as the "third dietary fiber." It passes through the small intestine undigested. Once in the large intestine, it becomes fuel for probiotic bacteria that use RS to produce protective short-chain fatty acids that are critical to intestinal health. The most important of these short-chain fatty acids is butyrate.

Butyrate is the preferred energy source of the cells lining the large intestine known as colonocytes. It promotes epithelium renewal and repair and possesses proven anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Alpha-Glucan Butyrogenic also helps protect enterocytes (intestinal absorptive cells covering the mucous surface of the small and large intestines) against oxidative stress and inflammation.

Mucopolysaccharides (now more commonly known as Glycosaminoglycans or GAGs for short) are polysaccharides that have shown the ability to replenish and reinforce the mucosal lining of the intestines, thereby modulating local inflammation.

Beta-glucans and Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) serve as fuel for intestinal microorganisms, improving the numbers as well as the viability of specific beneficial bacteria, while simultaneously suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Beta-glucans have also been shown to increase resistance to opportunistic bacteria and to modulate immune function.

Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) function as prebiotics, selectively inducing the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria. Unlike other prebiotics, however, MOS have the ability to bind to certain pathogenic bacteria (including many variants of E. coli and Salmonella), thereby preventing these bacteria from adhering to the intestinal wall and becoming pathogenic to the host animal. MOS are used in various animal feeds to promote gastrointestinal health and improve feed efficiency. In livestock feeds, MOS are increasingly used as an alternative to routine supplementation with antibiotics.

How Does Entero-Chronic Work?

Entero-Chronic restores and supports healthy bowel function in a number of ways. First, it modulates intestinal immune function and contains substances that exert a substantial localized anti-inflammatory effect. According to the manufacturer, a 60% reduction in bowel inflammation is to be expected.

Second, Entero-Chronic actually helps to repair and strengthen the bowel epithelium and mucosal barrier. This is in sharp contrast to many anti-inflammatory drugs that are known to damage the stomach and intestinal linings.

And third, Entero-Chronic contains potent prebiotics that not only stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria populations, but suppress and bind to pathogenic microorganisms, preventing their adherence to the intestinal lining where they can damage cells and cause inflammation.

How to Use Entero-Chronic

Entero-Chronic can be used as an alternative or a compliment to conventional therapy for IBD and other chronic gastrointestinal disorders. It is administered orally and since it's flavored, it can simply be sprinkled over the animal's food. Thirty days is the minimum recommended treatment period.

One pack contains four grams of Entero-Chronic, and the daily dose depends on the weight of the animal. Half a pack a day is recommended for dogs up to 5 kilos, one pack for dogs from 6 to 15 kilos, two packs for dogs from 16 to 35 kilos, and three packs for dogs over 36 kilos.

Unwelcome side effects are a common problem with many potent IBD treatments, and the lack of adverse reactions makes Entero-Chronic all the more exciting. While not every case of IBD in dogs can be controlled with diet and supplements alone, I have been very encouraged by my canine patients' responses to Entero-Chronic thus far.

Entero-Chronic has the potential to allow dogs who had exhausted other options and were looking at prednisone treatment to avoid immunosuppressive therapy. And in severe cases of IBD where immunosuppressive medications may be necessary, Entero-Chronic may make it possible to decrease the dose to a level that greatly reduces the potential for side effects.