Actazin Organic Green Kiwifruit Powder
Also known as: Actazin® Organic Green Kiwifruit Powder, Green Kiwifruit Powder, Kiwifruit, Actinidia deliciosa
Overview
Actazin® is a freeze-dried, whole-food powder derived from non-GMO green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) cultivated in New Zealand. It is recognized as a whole-food botanical supplement primarily utilized for digestive health. This ingredient naturally contains a beneficial blend of soluble and insoluble fibers, polyphenols, and actinidin, a unique proteolytic enzyme found in kiwifruit. Its main application is to support regular bowel movements, enhance gut motility, and promote a balanced gut microbiome. Actazin® is often presented as a gentle, food-based alternative to harsher laxatives, making it suitable for individuals experiencing digestive discomfort, including seniors, travelers, and health-conscious adults. Research supporting Actazin® includes randomized controlled trials with crossover designs, indicating a moderate level of evidence quality from human clinical studies.
Benefits
Actazin® offers several evidence-based benefits for digestive health. Its primary effect is a significant increase in stool frequency in healthy adults, with studies showing an increase of more than one bowel movement per week at daily doses of 600 mg and 2400 mg. This occurs without inducing common side effects like diarrhea, bloating, or gas. Secondary benefits include its role as a prebiotic, fostering the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, which contributes to a healthier gut microbiome. Furthermore, the enzyme actinidin aids in protein digestion, potentially reducing post-meal bloating and improving nutrient absorption. While effective in healthy individuals, evidence for its efficacy in populations with functional constipation is limited, with one small subgroup study showing no significant improvements. Benefits are typically observed after 28 days of consistent daily supplementation in crossover RCTs, with statistically significant increases in bowel movements (p < 0.05) demonstrating clinical meaningfulness.
How it works
Actazin®'s mechanism of action is multifaceted, leveraging the natural components of green kiwifruit. The combination of soluble and insoluble fibers possesses a high water retention and swelling capacity (12-13 g water/g insoluble fiber), which effectively increases fecal bulk and stimulates bowel motility. Actinidin, a proteolytic enzyme unique to kiwifruit, enhances the breakdown of dietary proteins, thereby facilitating amino acid absorption and potentially alleviating digestive discomfort. Additionally, the dietary fibers, including kiwifruit pectin, act as prebiotics. They undergo slow fermentation in the colon, nourishing beneficial gut bacteria and promoting a balanced microbiome, which is crucial for overall gut health and immune function. This slow fermentation process also helps to minimize common prebiotic side effects such as excessive gas and bloating.
Side effects
Actazin® is generally considered safe, with no significant adverse effects reported in clinical trials. Unlike some other fiber supplements or laxatives, it typically does not cause common digestive discomforts such as bloating or gas, primarily due to the slow fermentation of its fibers. There are no significant drug interactions or contraindications that have been reported in the scientific literature. It is deemed suitable for a wide range of individuals, including seniors, children, and travelers. However, it's important to note that while safe, data on its efficacy in clinical populations specifically diagnosed with constipation is limited, with some studies showing less pronounced effects in this group compared to healthy individuals.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose of Actazin® for increasing bowel movements has been identified as 600 mg daily. The optimal dose range typically falls between 600 mg and 2400 mg daily, with some studies suggesting that higher doses may yield greater effects. For observable benefits, daily supplementation is recommended for at least 28 days. Actazin® is commonly delivered as a freeze-dried powder, often found in capsules or integrated into various formulations. The activity of the actinidin enzyme and the fermentation of its fibers are influenced by individual gut microbiota and digestive conditions. The slow fermentation characteristic of Actazin® contributes to its good tolerability.
FAQs
Is Actazin® safe for long-term use?
Clinical trials up to 28 days show good safety and tolerability. While longer-term studies are limited, no safety concerns have been reported, suggesting it is likely safe for extended use.
Does it cause diarrhea?
No, Actazin® is designed to increase stool frequency and promote regularity without causing diarrhea or urgency, making it a gentle option for digestive support.
Can it help with constipation?
Evidence supports benefits in healthy individuals for regularity. However, its effect in small samples of functionally constipated individuals has been limited, suggesting more research is needed for this specific condition.
How quickly does it work?
Effects on bowel movements and regularity were typically observed after approximately four weeks of consistent daily use, indicating it requires some time to establish its benefits.
Research Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25931419/ – This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study by Muir et al. (2015) investigated the effects of Actazin® on bowel function in healthy and functionally constipated adults. It found that Actazin® significantly increased stool frequency in healthy adults at doses of 600 mg and 2400 mg daily, without adverse effects. However, no significant benefit was observed in the small subgroup with functional constipation.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5672330/ – Conlon et al. (2017) conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study demonstrating that Actazin® supplementation increased beneficial gut bacteria, specifically Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bifidobacteria. This study supports Actazin®'s prebiotic activity and its positive impact on gut microbiota composition, using robust methodology with placebo controls and adequate washout periods.
- https://actazin.com/science-story/ – This source provides an overview of the scientific basis behind Actazin®, highlighting its natural composition of fibers, polyphenols, and actinidin. It explains how these components contribute to digestive health by supporting bowel regularity, gut motility, and a balanced microbiome, emphasizing the gentle nature of its action.
- https://rhealsuperfoods.com/blogs/news/actazin-kiwi-fruit-the-science-behind-the-benefits-of-gut-feel – This article discusses the science behind Actazin®, focusing on how its unique blend of soluble and insoluble fibers, along with the enzyme actinidin, contributes to digestive health. It explains the mechanisms of increased fecal bulk, enhanced protein digestion, and prebiotic effects that support a healthy gut environment.
- https://actazin.com/actazin-supplyside/ – This source from Actazin's official website provides information on the ingredient's properties and applications, emphasizing its natural origin from New Zealand green kiwifruit. It highlights its role as a whole-food botanical supplement for digestive health and its suitability for various populations.
- https://actazin.com/clinical_report/ – This clinical report from Actazin provides a summary of research findings, reinforcing the efficacy of Actazin® in promoting bowel regularity and supporting gut health. It likely consolidates data from various studies to present a comprehensive view of its benefits and safety profile.
- https://www.nhc.com/kiwi-regularity-by-enzymedica – This product page for a supplement containing kiwifruit extract, likely Actazin®, discusses the benefits of kiwifruit for regularity. It explains how the natural fibers and enzymes in kiwifruit contribute to healthy digestion and bowel function, aligning with the known mechanisms of Actazin®.