GI Motility Matrix

• A prokinetic complex designed to support a healthy migrating motor complex and promote digestive regularity
• Includes a proprietary blend of Zingiber officinalis (ginger root) and Cynara cardunculus (artichoke root) extract that increases gastric emptying and significantly improves symptoms of functional dyspepsia such as epigastric fullness, bloating, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain
• 5-Hydroxytryptophan and vitamin B6, in its active form of pyridoxal-5-phosphate, are included to upregulate the production of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of digestive function
• Acetyl-L-carnitine has been shown to reduce the severity of constipation in people with poor intestinal motility
• Zinc, in its highly bioavailable bisglycinate form, supports vagus nerve function, parasympathetic tone, and epithelial barrier function
  

Many people believe that the health of the gastrointestinal tract is the best indicator of an individual's overall well-being. Indeed, the human digestive tract is a key modulator of the immune system and is responsible not only for absorbing nutrients from food but also for eliminating hormones, food waste, and other metabolic byproducts. If this system slows down, as in cases of functional constipation, it can indirectly have a negative effect on all of these systems. In severe cases, sluggish bowels can contribute to a complicated syndrome known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

SIBO can arise from many triggers, and the recovery process is complex. However, at the heart of its presentation is a decrease in the function of the migrating motor complex (MMC). The MMC is an entity of the enteric nervous system responsible for promoting smooth muscle peristalsis in the digestive tract. Successful recovery from SIBO requires MMC repair, not just stimulant laxatives. Fortunately, various nutrients have shown promise in reactivating this connection between the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.

A therapy with promising clinical trials as a prokinetic agent is a proprietary blend of Zingiber officinalis (ginger root) and Cynara cardunculus (artichoke root), which has two human clinical trials for improving digestive function. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that this combination therapy significantly improved symptoms of functional dyspepsia such as epigastric fullness, bloating, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain after 14 and 28 days. A second trial found that the proprietary ginger and artichoke blend improved gastric emptying after a meal by 24% in healthy individuals, as assessed by endoscopic evaluation. These effects on gastric emptying appear to be mediated by the activity of gingerol on cholinergic and serotonergic receptors, in combination with the antispasmodic and choleretic action of artichoke root.

Considering that ginger facilitates gastric emptying and stimulates the migrating motor complex by modulating serotonin, it stands to reason that other agents designed to increase serotonergic activity may also be useful in improving gastrointestinal motility. In fact, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), the key precursor molecule for endogenous serotonin production, and vitamin B6, an essential cofactor in this same process, have been used to promote the reconstruction of the migrating motor complex.

Zinc has been identified for its ability to support vagus nerve function. The vagus nerve is the most powerful promoter of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for "rest and digest" functions such as peristalsis. Zinc also supports epithelial barrier function, gastric acid production, and helps resolve digestive problems such as diarrhea.

Acetyl-L-carnitine is commonly used to boost cognitive function due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the central nervous system. However, carnitine is beneficial for many organ systems. Low levels of carnitine in the body have actually been correlated with an increased incidence and severity of constipation. Carnitine supplementation has been studied to reduce the severity of constipation in individuals with poor intestinal motility and, therefore, is a reasonable nutrient to consider for those recovering from SIBO.

Cyto-Matrix's GI-Motility Matrix provides a well-balanced blend of herbal extracts and nutrients to promote proper gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility. GI-Motility Matrix includes the patented and researched blend of artichoke extract and ginger extract, with additional 5-HTP, zinc, vitamin B6 in its active form of pyridoxal-5-phosphate, and acetyl-l-carnitine. Together, GI-Motility Matrix is ​​an essential formulation for any SIBO, constipation, dyspepsia, or irritable bowel syndrome recovery protocol.