PEDIAVANCE^® ELECTROLYTE

Carbohydrates

Pedialyte^® is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories

Carbohydrates are commonly referred to as sugars or starches; however, they are classified scientifically as monosaccharides, disaccharides, or polysaccharides. The carbohydrates used in PediaVance^® Electrolyte are monosaccharides, which is a one molecule sugar. Examples are glucose (also sometimes called dextrose), fructose (sometimes called fruit sugar), and galactose. Glucose is the major fuel needed by the body for energy. It does not need to be broken down like more complex sugars. This is why intravenous fluids (IVs) used in medical situations contain glucose (dextrose). Dextrose can be injected directly into the bloodstream without the need for further digestion by the body and is a ready source of energy for the body’s cells.

Glucose is also used in oral electrolyte maintenance solutions, such as PediaVance^® Electrolyte. A combination of sodium with glucose in the small intestine of the body promotes the absorption of water into the bloodstream, thus helping to keep the body hydrated. This physiological system in the body is referred to as the glucose-sodium cotransport system. So in diarrhea management, glucose is very important!

The balance of carbohydrates in a solution is also important in preventing or treating dehydration. Too much carbohydrate can cause the diarrhea to worsen by moving water from the body into the intestinal tract. PediaVance^® Electrolyte is specifically designed to meet all of the requirements needed to maintain hydration in infants, children and adults. An appropriate combination in the proper amounts of organic dextrose and organic white grape juice is used to meet carbohydrate requirements.

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Organic Dextrose

PediaVance^® organic dextrose is used by the body as a ready source of glucose that is derived from organic tapioca. Organic dextrose is a simple sugar that is quickly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream to provide a quick supply of energy. PediaVance^® Electrolyte uses organic dextrose in combination with sodium to promote water absorption into the bloodstream to help keep the body hydrated.

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Organic White Grape Juice

The organic white grape juice provides a secondary source of carbohydrate in the form of fructose, sometimes called fruit sugar. Fructose is readily broken down by the body into glucose. Organic white grape juice also provides some natural flavoring to the solution. White grape juice has been recommended as the first fruit juice to introduce to an infant or toddler.¹ Furthermore, white grape juice has been found to be well tolerated in children recovering from diarrhea because it holds the right combination of carbohydrates without the presence of sorbitol.² Research reveals that white grape juice is an appropriate juice for infants and toddlers because it does not contain sorbitol and it has an appropriate balance of fructose and glucose, making it easier to digest than apple and pear juice.³ Sorbitol is a non-digestible carbohydrate found in pear and apple juice which helps to move water into the gastrointestinal tract. This is one reason why apple and pear juice are often recommended for the treatment of constipation. Sorbitol helps with stool elimination. However, sorbitol is not beneficial to the child suffering from diarrhea or vomiting.

1. Nobigrot, T. et al, “Carbohydrate absorption from one serving of fruit juice in young children: age and carbohydrate effects,” Journal of the American College of Nutrition (2) 16: 152-148, April, 1997.
2. Ribeiro, R. et al, “Incomplete carbohydrate absorption from fruit juice consumption after acute diarrhea,” Journal of Pediatrics (2) 139: 325-327, August, 2001.
3. Moukarzel, A. A. et al, “Irritable bowel syndrome and nonspecific diarrhea in infancy and childhood relationship with juice malabsorption,” Clinical Pediatrics, (2) 41: 145-150, April, 2002.

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Electrolytes

Pedialyte^® is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories

Sodium, potassium and chloride are called electrolytes. Electrolytes are mineral substances that become chemical ions in a solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. The balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for the normal functioning of body cells and organs. Electrolytes are needed to prevent dehydration that may be caused by diarrhea or vomiting from illnesses such as the flu, rotavirus, Norwalk virus or food poisoning. Giving pure water is not the best way to restore body fluid levels because it dilutes the minerals inside the body’s cells and interferes with their chemical and electrical functions.

The sources of electrolytes in PediaVance^® Oral Electrolyte Solution are sodium chloride (to meet sodium and chloride needs), potassium citrate (to meet potassium needs), and sodium citrate (to also help meet sodium needs). Sodium chloride is salt. Sodium citrate and potassium citrate are rapidly absorbed when given orally and help to make the urine less acidic preventing metabolic acidosis. The use of potassium citrate as a good source of potassium in oral rehydration solutions has been well documented.¹

Potassium: This is an electrolyte and works with sodium to regulate the body’s waste balance, transmit nerve impulses, and regulate muscle contraction including the heart muscles. It is essential for metabolism and the release of insulin.
PediaVance^® Electrolyte: 4.7 mEq Potassium per 8 fluid ounces

Sodium: The primary role of sodium in the body is to maintain fluid balance. Sodium works with potassium and chloride to conduct electrical currents in the body and keep tissue fluids in balance. Sodium in combination with glucose aids the absorption of water from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream and from the bloodstream into body cells. This helps to retain fluids in the body and prevent dehydration.
PediaVance^® Electrolyte: 10.6 mEq Sodium per 8 fluid ounces

Chloride: This electrolyte helps to maintain fluid balance in the body and also is a component of the stomach juices (hydrochloric acid) needed for digestion of foods.
PediaVance^® Electrolyte: 8.3 mEq Chloride per 8 fluid ounces

1. Islam, M.R., “Can potassium citrate replace sodium bicarbonate and potassium chloride of oral rehydration solutions,” Archives of Diseases in Childhood, 60: 852-855, 1985.

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Osmolality

The movement of water and electrolytes and glucose across the intestinal tract and into the bloodstream is known as osmosis. Solutions with an osmolality lower than blood serum make effective oral electrolyte solutions. Blood serum has an osmolality of 310 mOsm/liter. PediaVance^® Oral Electrolyte Solution has an osmolality of 270 and is most appropriate for rehydration. Liquids such as apple juice, pear juice, carbonated sodas, and sports drinks are not recommended as rehydration solutions for infants and children because their osmolality is too high and this may worsen the diarrhea. Also, these drinks do not contain the appropriate balance of electrolytes and carbohydrates needed by infants and children to prevent or treat dehydration.

PediaVance^® Electrolyte: 270 mOsm/kg H2O per 8 fluid ounces

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Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. PediaVance^® Electrolyte contains a small amount of ascorbic acid to help the body heal. The ascorbic acid also contributes to the pleasant tart taste of PediaVance^®.

Vitamin C has received a lot of attention because of its major role in the body as an antioxidant, a substance that prevents damage to cells from free radicals and pollutants, and as a protector against infections, particularly the common cold. Vitamin C plays a role in nerve transmission, tissue repair, the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids, and the enhancement of iron absorption. Vitamin C is used by the body to make collagen, the connective tissue in skin, ligaments and bones.

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Malic Acid

Malic acid is an organic acid sometimes referred to as a fruit acid because it is naturally found in fruits. PediaVance^® Electrolyte contains malic acid to help flavor the product. Nature’s One^® does not use apple ingredients in its apple flavored electrolyte solution because of concerns with the sorbitol content of apples. For more information about sorbitol, go to “Organic White Grape Juice.”

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Sweeteners, Color, & Flavor

PediaVance^® Electrolyte is the only electrolyte solution that does not contain artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors:

Sweeteners & Flavor
The carbohydrates used in PediaVance^® serve a dual purpose. First, the carbohydrates provide the sweetness needed to cover the off flavors of the minerals (electrolytes) used in all electrolyte solutions. Also, the carbohydrates work together with the sodium to move water out of the intestinal tract and into the body, thus promoting hydration. PediaVance^® contains organic white grape juice and organic dextrose as its source of carbohydrate and sweetener. Other natural ingredients that aid in the flavoring of PediaVance^® include ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) to add a pleasant tart taste and malic acid, which is found in fruit and known as “fruit acid”.

The leading brand Pedialyte^® uses sucralose as its carbohydrate, which is an artificial sweetener sold under the Splenda^® brand name. The various store branded electrolyte solutions use the artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium, which is sold under the brand name Sunett^®.

Grape Color
PediaVance^® grape flavored electrolyte solution is colored with organic and natural elderberry juice. No artificial coloring agents are used in this product.

Apple Color
PediaVance^® apple flavored electrolyte solution is colored with natural caramel. The natural caramel coloring comes from heating brown sugar. Dairy, gluten or barley malt is not used in the caramel coloring. No artificial coloring agents are used in this product.

Pedialyte^® is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories
*Splenda is a registered trademark of McNeil Nutritionals, LLC for the sweetener sucralose
**Sunett is a registered trademark of Nutrinova for the sweetener acesulfame K.

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Ingredient List

Apple PediaVance^® Ingredients: Filtered Water, Organic Dextrose, Organic White Grape Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavors, Malic Acid, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Colored with Caramel.

Grape PediaVance^® Ingredients: Filtered Water, Organic Dextrose, Organic White Grape Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavors, Malic Acid, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Colored with Elderberry.

PediaVance^® is made without GMO ingredients. This product does not contain corn, preservatives or alcohol.

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