HuMOLYTE™
Electrolytes for hydration
2’-Fucosyllactose (HMO) to promote gut health and support a healthy microbiome*
HuMOLYTE™ is an electrolyte mix with a prebiotic, 2’-Fucosyllactose or 2’-FL, that is formulated by a physician-scientist team for preventing dehydration in patients with diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
HuMOLYTE™ is formulated as an oral hydration solution for patients undergoing chemotherapy, those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, infectious diarrhea, chronic alcoholism and laxative use in liver failure.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Humolyte
- What is a medical food?
Medical foods are foods that are specially formulated and intended for the dietary management of a disease or a health condition that has distinctive nutritional needs that cannot be met by normal diet alone. Medical food must be consumed under the supervision of a licensed medical professional.
- Why is HuMOLYTE™ a medical food?
Because HuMOLYTE™ was formulated for the management of dehydration and electrolyte loss that results from diarrhea in patients with gut injury.
- How many HuMOLYTE™ stick packs can I have in a day?
The typical suggested use for an individual is to start with 1-2 stick packs in a day, about 8-12 hours apart. Additional doses may be needed based on laboratory tests. We recommend these individuals be frequently monitored with laboratories by their medical providers.
- Is there a maximum limit to how many stick packs or servings I can have in a day?
It depends on the need and tolerance of the individual. Typically, we do not recommend exceeding 4 servings in a day unless an individual is actively monitored by a physician using laboratories. However, clinical studies have determined that up to 20 grams of 2’-FL consumed by humans is very safe without any major side effects.
- What laboratory tests do I need to check electrolytes?
Laboratory tests should be conducted by a licensed medical professional. Electrolytes can be checked using a chemistry panel for sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium. These are recommended for patients who have deficiencies who may benefit from HuMOLYTE™.
- Should HuMOLYTE™ always be consumed with laboratory monitoring?
No. HuMOLYTE™ does not always require laboratory monitoring to be consumed. However, for deficiencies that are prolonged and severe, laboratory monitoring is highly recommended by a licensed medical professional.
- Can healthy individuals consume HuMOLYTE™ safely?
Yes, because it contains electrolytes and 2’-FL, both ingredients are safe for consumption by healthy individuals.
- Is the 2’-FL isolated from human milk?
No, the 2’-FL is not isolated from human milk although it was originally discovered as a complex sugar circulating in mother’s milk.
- Is HuMOLYTE™ free of lactose?
Yes, although traces of lactose can be present in the 2’-FL. Many individuals with lactose intolerance have safely consumed 2’-FL.
- Is HuMOLYTE™ ok for gluten sensitive individuals?
Yes, HuMOLYTE™ is certified gluten free.
- Why does the packaging say “Contains:Milk”?
Per FDA rules, all Medical Foods must disclose allergen information. Traces of lactose are not uncommon in 2’-FL, although 2’-FL is not directly obtained from human milk, rather it is synthesized commercially.
- Is 2’-FL safe?
Yes, 2’-FL has been used for a long time in Infant nutrition in baby-formulas and is recognized as a GRAS (generally recognized as safe) agent by the FDA.
- What is GRAS and how does FDA classify it?
GRAS is an acronym for Generally Recognized as Safe. FDA recognizes a food or a food additive to be GRAS based on scientific data. More information is available on FDA’s website.
- If I am on chemotherapy, when should I start using HuMOLYTE™?
We recommend starting HuMOLYTE™ at least a day before starting chemotherapy. This allows electrolytes to build up and the 2’-FL to be present before the gut is subjected to chemotherapy. However, not all chemotherapy causes equivalent amount of gut cell injury, so results may vary.
- If I am on chemotherapy, how long should I continue taking HuMOLYTE™?
We recommend continuing HuMOLYTE™ 1-2 stick packs a day until the duration of chemotherapy and it can safely be continued long term if electrolyte deficiencies persist. We recommend a discussion with your medical provider regarding long term use.
- I completed chemotherapy many weeks ago and continue to have electrolyte deficiencies. Can I use HuMOLYTE™?
Yes, absolutely.
- How is HuMOLYTE™ sweetened?
HuMOLYTE is sweetened by stevia leaf extract, a well-known natural sweetener.
- Does HuMOLYTE™ have preservatives?
No, we have worked hard to keep preservatives out of all of our formulas.
- What studies have been done on 2’-FL and other HMOs?
Please refer to the Science section to learn more about specific clinical studies on HMOs.
- What electrolytes does HuMOLYTE™ replace?
Magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride. These are electrolytes typically lost with dehydration from diarrheal illnesses.
- Can 2’-FL cause GI side effects?
Occasionally, some individuals can experience some flatulence (or gas) when 2’-FL is first consumed. In the clinical trial (Elison et al, 2016) where adults consumed from 5-20 grams of 2’-FL per day, the side effects were dose dependent and consisted of flatulence predominantly. The Science section has references for specific studies.
- Are there safety studies done on 2’-FL?
Yes, there are numerous studies conducted on safety of HMOs as well as their role in immunity, gut barrier membrane preservation and preservation of microbiome health. More information is available on our Science section under references listed.
- Can I mix it with any beverage, hot or cold?
Yes. However, HuMOLYTE™ is naturally flavored to yield a fresh fruity beverage when mixed with cold water. Hence, it is recommended to be mixed with cold water prior to consumption.
- Where is HuMOLYTE™ manufactured?
HuMOLYTE is manufactured in a GMP compliant, FDA registered facility in the USA.
- What benefit can patients with liver disease/cirrhosis obtain from HuMOLYTE™?
Patients with liver cirrhosis are often placed on laxatives to induce diarrhea. This lowers the toxins from the GI tract reaching the blood stream. However, it also causes significant electrolyte losses from the gut and alters the gut microbiome. HuMOLYTE™ can replace the lost electrolytes as well as help support the gut microbiome that is altered with long term laxative use.
- How can patients who underwent bariatric surgery benefit from HuMOLYTE™?
Patients who undergo bariatric surgery can have a dramatically altered gut microbiome due to changes in weight, diet and GI motility after the surgery. These individuals also have significant electrolyte deficiency due to diarrhea and dehydration. HuMOLYTE™ can replace electrolytes lost from the gut and help support a healthy microbiome.
- Can HuMOLYTE™ help with symptoms of infectious diarrhea?
Yes, HMOs have shown to be beneficial in reducing symptoms of infectious diarrhea from campylobacter jejuni and rotavirus. Prebiotics such as 2’-FL can help restore the balance between good and bad bacteria in the large intestine which is disrupted in infections such as clostridium difficile.
- How can HuMOLYTE™ help with symptoms of Clostridium difficile diarrhea?
HuMOLYTE™ can help by replacing electrolytes and water during the diarrheal state. It may also allow the gut health to improve by restoring the balance between good and bad bacteria. By allowing the good bacteria to flourish, the symptoms from pathogenic bacteria such as C. difficile may be lessened.
- How does HuMOLYTE™ differ from Endurance Mix formula?
HuMOLYTE™ formulation has 2’-FL (HMO) added to the electrolytes where as MAGNAK Endurance Mix is mainly the electrolyte formula. Healthy adults who need electrolytes during heavy workouts can consume MAGNAK® Endurance mix as they are assumed not to have leaky guts that cause diarrhea and electrolyte losses through their GI tract.
- How can chronic alcoholics benefit from HuMOLYTE™?
Alcoholism alters the gut microbiome by direct toxic effect on the gut and research suggests that this can lead to psychological changes that correlate with addictive behavior making relapse more likely. Alcoholism also leads to deficiencies of electrolytes particularly of magnesium. HuMOLYTE™ can correct these deficiencies, help individuals recover from dehydration and improve the symbiosis of the gut microbiome.



Jane Stepper –
I ordered this from amazon a few weeks ago. Honestly has helped me a lot- my gut feels much better, no constipation now. Get less tired now as well.
Cheryl H. –
I love this mix. it helps with dehydration during the chemotherapy cycles.
Pathways Recovery Center, Sacramento –
We have been using this intermittently at our rehab unit and have seen significant difference in the well being of our patients. Hydration is important along with nutrition and healthy living in all substance abuse detox clinics and this product seems to be a very good addition.