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L-Emental - an alternative to Vivonex Plus

10167 Views 64 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  skinny, 
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Hi,I wanted to give the 14 day elemental diet a try, so I looked around for a comparable product. So far it looks like L-Emental made by Hormel labs is a product like Vivonex Plus made by Novartis. I'm going to go with L-Emental since it is cheaper ~$4.40 per packet compared to Vivonex Plus at ~$6.36 per packet. I'm not going to get the flavor packets since they are a ripoff. The elemental formulas taste horrible according to anecdotal reports, but I think I can handle the nasty taste for 2 weeks.
If anyone knows of Canadian pharmacies that have better prices, let me know.Both formulas have 300 calories per packet, so if one takes 5 packets per day, you'll get 1500 calories:L-Emental at 60 per case would last 12 days. Vivonex Plus at 36 per case would last 7.2 days. Here are some basics on the formula:Vivonex Plus http://www.novartisnutrition.com/us/productDetail?id=20 Protein: 18% (Free Amino Acids) Carbohydrate: 76% (Maltodextrin, Modified Corn Starch) Fat: 6% (Soybean Oil)L-Emental http://www.hormelhealthlabs.com/products_s...s=&vpakitemno=& itemno=01600&pdb=HHL[/URL]L-EmentalL-Emental� contains 100% free amino acids. L-Emental� provides absorbable protein without digestion and may benefit those with reduced absorptive capacity. It has a caloric distribution of 15% protein, 82% carbohydrate, 3% fats, and provides 1.0kcal/ml. L-Emental� is lactose free, gluten free, and low residue.Comparison of formulas from Novartis site http://www.novartisnutrition.com/pdfs/us/p..._Chart_2004.pdf Cost of Vivonex Plus:Vivonex Plus - Walgreens http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:YV_w3...onex+plus&hl=en * I don't know if they carry it anymore since I couldn't find it in their site. $229.99 for 36 packets at $6.36 per packet.Vivonex Plus http://www.allegromedical.com/home/moreinf...7&C=522&M=15166 * $229 for 36 packetsCost of L-Emental:L-Emental http://www.4webmed.com/main.cfm?Page=produ...ng%3D1#nutrinfo * Case: 60 $266.40 ( $4.44 ea ) Single Flavor http://www.med-diet.com/l-emental.htm * L-Emental Unflavored Powder 60 - 2.84 oz 12 lbs $276.00Relevant Abstracts:Eradication of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Reduces Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome http://www-east.elsevier.com/ajg/issues/9512/ajg3368fla.htm Normalization of lactulose breath testing correlates with symptom improvement in irritable bowel syndrome: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...2&dopt=Abstract A 14-day elemental diet is highly effective in normalizing the lactulose breath test.Pimentel M, Constantino T, Kong Y, Bajwa M, Rezaei A, Park S. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...t_uids=14992438 Relevant threads:Vivonex effectve in SIBO http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php...t=037097#000000 Bacterial overgrowth Vivonex plus protocol/who's tried this? http://www.ibsgroup.org/cgi-local/ubbcgi/u...t=002130#000000 Symptoms gone (forever I hope!) http://www.ibsgroup.org/cgi-local/ubbcgi/u...t=001777#000002 Vivonex Plus http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php...t=002441#000000 Pimental's Vivonex Plus liquid diet study / neomycin http://www.ibsgroup.org/cgi-local/ubbcgi/u...t=001328#000000 skinny
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F
The post above seems to be reasonable and accurate.
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The post above seems to be reasonable and accurate.
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SpAsMaN*
Flavors packet from Vivonex plus are terrrible as well as Vivonex for the taste.Do you think Peptinex is the same as L-Elemental?Apparently more tolerable for the G.I. tract and less awful for the taste.
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SpAsMaN*
Flavors packet from Vivonex plus are terrrible as well as Vivonex for the taste.Do you think Peptinex is the same as L-Elemental?Apparently more tolerable for the G.I. tract and less awful for the taste.
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Spasman:The Peptinex has:protein source: Whey protein hydrolysate (free amino acids are ideal)Fat source: MCT oil, soybean oil, soy lecithinCarb source: Hydrolyzed cornstarchThe Peptinex would probably taste better since the protein isn't broken down to the simplest forms, but Pimentel says bacteria can survive on protein.There is also a Novartis formula called Tolerex: http://www.novartisnutrition.com/us/productDetail?id=84 Caloric Distribution: Protein: 8% (Free Amino Acids) Carbohydrate: 91% (Maltodextrin, Modified Corn Starch) Fat: 1% (Safflower Oil)Caloric Density: 1.0 cal/mLNonprotein Calorie: Nitrogen Ratio: 282:1Water Content: 864 mL/1000 mL100% RDI*: 1800 mLOsmolality: 550 mOsm/kg waterLactose free, gluten free, low residueThis looks like it has too much carbs, so the Vivonex Plus would be a better quality formula. Maltodextrin and Corn Starch is very inexpensive.Tolerex http://www.allegromedical.com/home/moreinf...7&C=522&M=15166 $299 at 60 packetsskinny
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Spasman:The Peptinex has:protein source: Whey protein hydrolysate (free amino acids are ideal)Fat source: MCT oil, soybean oil, soy lecithinCarb source: Hydrolyzed cornstarchThe Peptinex would probably taste better since the protein isn't broken down to the simplest forms, but Pimentel says bacteria can survive on protein.There is also a Novartis formula called Tolerex: http://www.novartisnutrition.com/us/productDetail?id=84 Caloric Distribution: Protein: 8% (Free Amino Acids) Carbohydrate: 91% (Maltodextrin, Modified Corn Starch) Fat: 1% (Safflower Oil)Caloric Density: 1.0 cal/mLNonprotein Calorie: Nitrogen Ratio: 282:1Water Content: 864 mL/1000 mL100% RDI*: 1800 mLOsmolality: 550 mOsm/kg waterLactose free, gluten free, low residueThis looks like it has too much carbs, so the Vivonex Plus would be a better quality formula. Maltodextrin and Corn Starch is very inexpensive.Tolerex http://www.allegromedical.com/home/moreinf...7&C=522&M=15166 $299 at 60 packetsskinny
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SpAsMaN*
Skinny,what Pimentel would recommand for an alternative to Vivonex plus?I suspect V.Plus to cause G.I. disturbance and trapped C.I doubt the flavor packet would be so strong to be the culprit.One try,lot of tummy troubles...Eating reals foods help the peristaltic by the volume itself.
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SpAsMaN*
Skinny,what Pimentel would recommand for an alternative to Vivonex plus?I suspect V.Plus to cause G.I. disturbance and trapped C.I doubt the flavor packet would be so strong to be the culprit.One try,lot of tummy troubles...Eating reals foods help the peristaltic by the volume itself.
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S
SkinnyHow do you compare L-Emental & Vivonex Plus to the ABSORB Plus product that runs their ad on this board?From what I can tell the Absorb is for putting on weight. Someone said the Vivonex is bitter, so I doubt I could handle that for 2 weeks. I mean if that is all you could consumer pretty soon the thought of it would gag you.Have you tried it before?
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SkinnyHow do you compare L-Emental & Vivonex Plus to the ABSORB Plus product that runs their ad on this board?From what I can tell the Absorb is for putting on weight. Someone said the Vivonex is bitter, so I doubt I could handle that for 2 weeks. I mean if that is all you could consumer pretty soon the thought of it would gag you.Have you tried it before?
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Kathleen M.
I assume the Absorb is not designed to be the only food you take. But a supplement to add to the normal diet to promote weight gain.The various things mentioned here are nutritionally complete so you need no other food while on them.K.
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Kathleen M.
I assume the Absorb is not designed to be the only food you take. But a supplement to add to the normal diet to promote weight gain.The various things mentioned here are nutritionally complete so you need no other food while on them.K.
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Spasman: I don't know what Pimentel recommends other than Vivonex. There will be no way getting around the taste unless you can use some flavoring to mask the taste. No pain, no gain.
Joycein: I haven't tried the Vivonex Plus, but I'm pretty sure I can handle bad taste. I can handle stuff like wheatgrass juice, psyllium and water (although it almost makes me gag now). K looks like she's right on the Absorb.skinny
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Spasman: I don't know what Pimentel recommends other than Vivonex. There will be no way getting around the taste unless you can use some flavoring to mask the taste. No pain, no gain.
Joycein: I haven't tried the Vivonex Plus, but I'm pretty sure I can handle bad taste. I can handle stuff like wheatgrass juice, psyllium and water (although it almost makes me gag now). K looks like she's right on the Absorb.skinny
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SpAsMaN*
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Skinny,i was like you before trying Vivonex plus(and the shame flavor).I was thinking that i can handle the taste but no way,it's worst that you can imagine and the flavor they give is SO SYNTHETIC!!!
Give me your adress and i WILL send you my Vivonex plus sample in my closet.I agree to send you free but send me a photo of your face while drinking it.
That would be good here on the BB.
More new Gremlins!!!!!!!
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SpAsMaN*
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Skinny,i was like you before trying Vivonex plus(and the shame flavor).I was thinking that i can handle the taste but no way,it's worst that you can imagine and the flavor they give is SO SYNTHETIC!!!
Give me your adress and i WILL send you my Vivonex plus sample in my closet.I agree to send you free but send me a photo of your face while drinking it.
That would be good here on the BB.
More new Gremlins!!!!!!!
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S
3
That's ok Spas, thanks for the offer, but I'm just going to go for it.
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skinny
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That's ok Spas, thanks for the offer, but I'm just going to go for it.
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skinny
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skinny love your Graemlines
Mkae those your self?hope you can hack the vivonex. Hope some one of us finds an answer pretty soon.
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