Fw: Kirkman Family Newsletter - Oct-Nov. Last Chance for $25 Off

[Guest guest]

Special Offer This Month!

$25.00 off

Any Purchase of $100 or More

One offer per customer only

Offer begins: Oct. 25, 2008

Offer valid

through

Nov. 25, 2008.

Use this KEY CODE to redeem:

ST25

HOW TO USE KIRKMAN'S KEY CODE

1. When you are ready to place your order you can choose your

product with a " Buy Now " button.

2. The " Buy Now " button will take you to an order page that lists

the products in your order.

At the top of that page is a message that asks you if you have a KEY

CODE. Enter the KEY CODE for the particular offer you want to apply to your

order.

3. At checkout you will see that the offer has been applied to your

order.

4. You may only use ONE KEY CODE per order.

5. You may only use a KEY CODE once during a promotional period.

6. Offers are limited to retail customers only.

Last Chance for $25 Off Your $100 Purchase

Offer Expires on Nov. 25, 2008

In This Issue . . .

a.. Digestive Function, Enzymes and How to Support Digestive

Health

a.. An Introduction to Digestive Function

b.. Digestive Enzymes

c.. Digestive Disorder Symptoms

b.. Kirkman® Offers Specialized Enzymes and Isogest®

c.. FAQs Regarding Digestion

d.. 3 Simple Steps to Support Proper Digestion

e.. Kirkman® Launches New Website

a.. New Features of Kirkman's Website

f.. We've Got " Gummies "

Kirkman® Introduces Two " Gummie " Supplements

g.. McCarthy Writes About Kirkman® in Her New Book

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Special Offer . . .

Only for Kirkman® Family Members

Take $25 Off

Your Purchase of $100 or More

Use this Key Code to redeem:

ST25

See instructions on how to redeem in left column.

Offer Begins: Oct. 25, 2008

Offer Ends: Nov 25, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Digestive Function, Enzymes and

How to Support Digestive Health

By Larry Newman

Chief of Production and New Product Development

Kirkman Group, Inc.

An Introduction to Digestive Function

The primary function of the digestive tract is to break down the

large particles of food that we eat into small molecules that can cross over the

intestinal lining, enter the bloodstream, and become fuel for the various

metabolic processes in the body. In order to accomplish this function, the

intestinal tract is involved in four primary activities: digestion, absorption,

assimilation, and elimination. Digestion is the breakdown of the food particles

into usable nutrient forms. Absorption is where those usable nutrients cross

the gut wall and pass from the intestine to the bloodstream. Assimilation is

utilization of the products of digestion for energy and the body's metabolic

processes while elimination is the excretion of the body's waste products

through the intestines and kidneys.

Digestion begins in the mouth with salivary secretions, then

continues in the stomach with secretions of hydrochloric acid and pepsin to form

a material called chyme. The pancreas then releases enzymes into the duodenum

of the small intestine as the chyme also passes into the duodenum. Digestion

and absorption then continues and is essentially completed in the small

intestine. The final stage of digestion then is completed in the large

intestine and colon where waste accumulates and is then eliminated.

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive function disorders are prevalent in sensitive and special

needs individuals, and the majority of these are the result of the stomach not

secreting enough hydrochloric acid or the pancreas not releasing enough

pancreatic digesting enzymes. When these situations occur (and they often occur

together), stomach acidifiers and/or supplemental digestive enzymes are often

used to help correct the insufficiencies. The most utilized stomach acidifier

is Betaine Hydrochloride which helps make up for the lack of insufficient

stomach acid secretion, a condition known as achlorhydria.

When we talk about supplementing with digestive enzymes we are

probably talking about pancreatic enzymes. These are the enzymes which have

specific jobs and act only on specific types of food substrates. When digestive

enzyme supplementation is called for or recommended by a health professional, it

is imperative that the proper combination of enzymes is chosen so as to address

the problems at hand. For example, lipase only digests fats, it does not act on

protein or sugar. Sucrase only digests sugars. It has no effect on fat or

protein. Proteases and peptidases act on protein, casein and gluten. Other

enzymes do not.

Digestive Disorder Symptoms

There are many recognizable indicators that digestive disorders due

to pancreatic enzyme insufficiency are present in an individual. Some of these

can be:

a.. Bloating and/or abdominal pain or cramping

b.. Irregular bowel habits or abnormal loose or mushy stools

c.. Constant constipation or diarrhea

d.. Discomfort after eating

e.. Excessive gas

f.. Extreme sensitivity to dairy and grains

g.. Very odorous bowel movements

h.. Undigested food in the stool

i.. Oily, greasy, and/or floating stools

As discussed earlier, a specific enzyme combination must be selected

based on an individual's specific needs. There are many different enzyme

products available including:

a.. Lipase which aids fat digestion

b.. Lactase to ease lactose intolerance

c.. Peptidase/Protease for protein and peptide digestion

d.. DPP-IV (Peptidase) which targets casein and gluten

e.. Multi-spectrum enzymes which digest all food groups

f.. Carbohydrases to aid the digestion of carbohydrates which

includes sugars and starches.

Discuss which combinations will work best for your situation with

your physician or nutritionist. Kirkman® carries a complete line of digestive

enzymes to cover all nutritional requirements and situations.

Enzymes are generally given at the beginning of every meal. The

amount of enzyme supplementation is based on the amount of food consumed at a

given meal. A snack would require a smaller dose than a full dinner. If a

person's normal dose for a full meal is one capsule, a snack might only require

½ capsule.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Kirkman® Offers Specialized Enzymes and Its Proprietary Isogest®

BioCore Dairy®

Aids in digestion of dairy proteins and lactose.

To Buy or Read More

Carb DigestT with Isogest®

Aids in the digestion of carbohydrates.

To Buy or Read More

DPP-IV ForteT

Assists digestion, particularly of dairy products and cereal

grains.

To Buy or Read More

EnZym-Complete/DPP-IVT II with Isogest®

Provides broad spectrum enzyme with isomaltase/palatinase

activity.

To Buy or Read More

Enzym-Complete/DPP-IVT

Provides high-strength digestion aid for a full range of foods.

To Buy or Read More

EnZymAidT Multi-Enzyme Complex

Aids digestion of peptides, casein and gluten.

To Buy or Read More

Maximum Spectrum Enzym-Complete/DPP-IVT Fruit Free w/Isogest®

Provides complete spectrum, highest potency, digestive enzyme with

isomalase/palatinase activity.

To Buy or Read More

Multi-Enzyme FormulaT

Supports digestion of full range of foods.

To Buy or Read More

Peptidase CompleteT

Aids digestion of animal and plant proteins as well as peptides

from milk/casein and grains/gluten.

To Buy or Read More

Phenol AssistT

Helps optimize sulfation chemistry.

To Buy or Read More

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Digestion and Digestion Support

Q-What are Digestive Enzymes?

A-Digestive Enzymes are substances produced in the pancreas that aid

in food digestion.

Q-Are all digestive enzymes the same?

A-No, there are many different types of digestive enzymes, and each

one has a very specific job in the body. They are substrate specific, in that

lipase enzyme only acts on fat, protease only acts on protein, and amylase only

acts on starches and carbohydrates.

Q-Why might an individual need to supplement with additional

digestive enzymes?

A-Sensitive and special needs individuals often lack sufficient

pancreatic enzymes to digest all of their food intake properly, leading to

gastrointestinal and digestion issues.

Q-What might be symptoms of insufficient pancreatic enzymes?

A-Bloating or other discomfort after eating, excessive gas,

consistent constipation or diarrhea, or undigested food in the stool can be

indicators. Floating stools may indicate incomplete fat digestion.

Q-Where do digestive enzymes come from to put in enzyme supplements?

A-They can come from cows, pigs or certain living plant type

organisms such as molds.

Q-Where do Kirkman's enzymes come from?

A-Kirkman only uses plant based enzymes which come from various

species of the Aspergillus organism.

Q-If I am sensitive to mold, could I react to plant based enzymes?

A-The enzymes are purified and should have no traces of mold left in

them, but caution is advised in that situation. Use only a minute amount of the

enzyme initially to check for sensitivity.

Q-How do I know which enzyme product to use?

A-For most individuals, a multi spectrum enzyme which helps digest

all food groups is effective. Examples would be Kirkman's Enzyme Complete

Products or our Maximum Spectrum product. If, however, your physician has

isolated a particular enzyme need such as lipase, lactase, or protease, then an

individual enzyme product could work such as Kirkman's Peptidase Complete or

Bio-Core Dairy.

Q-What if I only have difficulty with carbohydrate metabolism?

A-Kirkman has a specialty enzyme called Carb Digest for this

purpose.

Q-What is unique about Kirkman's enzyme supplements?

A-Kirkman's newest most comprehensive products feature a specialty

enzyme called IsogestT which is not available in any other brand of commercially

available enzymes.

Q-What does IsogestT do?

A-Isogest is Kirkman's specialty enzyme for isomaltase activity. No

other brand of enzymes currently utilize an enzyme for isomaltase activity.

Q-Why is isomaltase activity important?

A-There is an enzyme in the body called sucrase/isomaltase. Sucrase

is available in many enzyme products, but only Kirkman enzymes also have

isomaltase activity. Many complex carbohydrates that we eat, including

potatoes, contain isomaltose or palatinose which require isomaltase to

completely digest those complex starches properly.

Q-How do we know that enzyme activity is often lacking in sensitive

and special needs individuals?

A-A study done at Massachusetts General Hospital in 2004 by R.

Kushak, Ph. D. and T. Buie, MD confirmed that 25-40% of a special needs group

exhibited certain enzyme deficiencies including isomaltase/palatinase.

Q-Has IsogestT been tested?

A-Yes, before marketing enzymes with Isogest®, Kirkman asked 12 DAN!

Physicians to do a clinical evaluation of the products Enzyme Complete

II/IsogestT and Carb Digest. The doctors and parents of the evaluated patients

were polled as to the effects of the new products. Results were outstanding and

side effects virtually non-existent.

Q-Which of Kirkman's enzyme products contain IsogestT?

A-Enzyme Complete II/IsogestT formula, Carb Digest, and the Maximum

Spectrum product all contain IsogestT.

Q-When do I supplement with Digestive Enzymes?

A-At the beginning of each meal or snack is the suggested dosage

time.

Q-Do I always take the same amount of extra enzymes?

A-Not necessarily. Snacks or very small meals usually require only

½ the dosage taken with full meals.

Q-How long will it take me to know digestive enzymes are working?

A-For many individuals results are very fast, as soon as a few days.

Others may take longer, but certainly within three weeks. If after three weeks

no noticeable improvements are evident, supplementation may be discontinued and

a physician should be consulted for further evaluation.

Q-Why do Kirkman's enzyme labels warn not to get enzyme powder on

the skin or in the eyes?

A-Enzymes are very powerful substances. The proteases present in

enzymes can literally begin to digest skin and mucous membranes causing severe

irritations. This is why the warnings are present.

Q-Will there be any side effects from digestive enzyme

supplementation?

A-Generally, there will not be any side effects. Rarely diarrhea or

nausea can occur on initial supplementation. This usually disappears after the

body gets used to the supplements.

Q-I have heard that I can't take enzymes and probiotics together.

Is this true?

A-This is a much debated issue. Kirkman and our consulting experts,

believe that enzymes and probiotics should be separated by a short time frame.

Our recommendation is to take the enzyme right at the beginning of the meal, and

follow with the probiotic about ½ hour later or halfway through the meal. That

way, the enzyme has passed through the stomach before the probiotic arrives.

Q-Can digestive enzymes that contain protease and peptidase be

substituted for the GF/CF diet since they digest casein and gluten?

A-Kirkman and the physicians we work closely with do not recommend

using enzymes in place of the GF/CF diet. There is a limit to how much casein

and gluten can be digested fully by proteases and peptidases and this has never

been measured. It is possible that enzymes can limit the effects of certain

GF/CF diet infractions where very small amounts of casein and/or gluten are

consumed, but the diet itself has proven to be too important to compromise on.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

3 Simple Steps to Support

Proper Digestion

By Mika Bradford

Certified Nutritionist

Kirkman Group, Inc.

Eating food is something that we do each day. What we eat varies on

where we live, our ethnic background and the nutritional needs of each

individual. As the world has evolved so have the foods that we have access to.

Many foods are highly processed having many additives that were not included in

foods from years past. Many individuals now experience unwanted side effects

like gas, bloating, reflux, constipation and diarrhea after eating. These

symptoms can be caused by specific foods being eaten, allergies, intolerances,

and an individual's inability to effectively break down foods.

When you've tried elimination diets and other interventions to

better support digestion it is important to not overlook basic steps you can

take to support digestion that do not cost a penny and are not time consuming.

1.. Cut the foods you're eating into small bite sized pieces. This

sounds so simple but for some individuals, especially children, this can

eliminate large pieces of food being swallowed when rushing to finish a meal.

This happens frequently when children are eating new foods or foods they do not

like.

2.. Mom was right when she said chew your food thoroughly. Chewing

food and allowing it to mix with saliva is the first step in digestion which

takes place in the mouth.

3.. If healthy foods are hard to choke down or maybe the texture

of those veggies and meats don't ever make it past the lips of your little one

consider blending these foods. Many veggies and meats can be pureed and made in

to hearty soups that will warm your taste buds and calm the digestive tract.

Once you have tried these three simple yet effective steps in

supporting digestion and you continue to experience unwanted symptoms, consider

supplementing with a digestive enzyme formula. While eliminating certain food

groups and modifying the size and form of foods being consumed can help it will

not solve the problem if there is a digestive enzyme deficiency. To find the

right digestive enzyme formula that meets your diet needs visit

www.kirkmanlabs.com.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Kirkman® Launches New Website

If you've visited the Kirkman® website lately, you probably had to

do a double-take. Kirkman® has a new website and a new look at

www.kirkmanlabs.com or www.kirkmangroup.com.

It's been more than seven years since we've changed the look of our

website. We hope that you like our redesigned site and that it serves your

family well.

New Features of Kirkman's Website

We've made it faster. We made it easier to navigate. We've also

made the ordering process easier for you. Almost every page in our website has

been rewritten and updated.

In addition, there are several new features that have been added to

improve the utility of the website. These include:

a.. search by item number from any page

b.. search by product name or key word from any page

c.. companion products

d.. search for products that are " Free of " a number of ingredients

that are known as common allergens

e.. Frequently Asked Questions that are categorized by subject or

products group

and more . . .

We would love to know what you think about our new website and if it

serves you well. Please address your comments and suggestions to:

webmaster@....

--------------------------------------------------------------------

We've Got " Gummies! "

Kirkman® Offers Two, New " Gummy " Products

Kirkman® has had many requests and inquiries regarding " gummie "

forms of supplements. As a result, Kirkman® will be a distributor for two, new

" gummy " products from Nordic Naturals®.

Nordic Naturals® NordicT Omega-3 Gummies - Tangerine Flavored

Kirkman® will be a distributor for Nordic Naturals® NordicT Omega-3

Gummies. This product is a great-tasting alternative to difficult to swallow

fish oil capsules or bad tasting liquid fish or cod liver oils.

Each two gummies provides 273 mg of fish oil containing 41 mg of EPA

and 27 mg of DHA with a delicious, natural tangerine flavor.

These gummies are sweetened with organic sugar and organic corn

syrup and are naturally colored with annatto. Kids will love the taste of these

supplements and may actually ask to take their fish oil!

Nordic Naturals® NordicT Berries Multivitamins

Kirkman® will also be a distributor for NordicT Berries, a

delicious, chewable, gummie multivitamin and mineral.

Four gummies daily will supply significant amounts of vitamins A, B,

C, and D, plus the minerals iodine, magnesium, zinc, and calcium. In addition,

choline and inositol are present.

NordicT Berries are sweetened with organic glucose syrup, organic

sucrose, and organic evaporated cane juice. They have a delicious natural

orange, fruity flavor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

McCarthy Writes About Kirkman® in Her New Book

Actress and activist McCarthy has written another compelling

book. This one chronicles the lives of ten families that refused to give their

children up to a diagnosis.

Ms. McCarthy listed Kirkman® first on a list of resources that she

recommends to parents. She also writes about Kirkman's high potency Vitamin

B-6/magnesium supplement, Super Nu-Thera®, that was used by several families in

her book, including her own.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

From Our Family to Yours

Pictured on our masthead is the family of Kirkman® owners

Humphrey and Kulani Mahikoa: daughter, Bleu; son-in-law, Ted; and

grandchildren, Tyler and Tanner.

This message was sent from Kirkman to tkuhn1@.... It was

sent from: Kirkman Group, 6400 SW Rosewood St., Lake Oswego, OR 97035. You can

modify/update your subscription via the link below.

Manage your subscription