The term DMN can cause confusion due to its application in two completely separate fields. In the world of health supplements, DMN stands for Daily Microbiome Nutrition, a product by the company 38TERA. In enterprise software and business process management, DMN stands for Decision Model and Notation, a standard from the Object Management Group (OMG). The "ingredients" in each case are, therefore, vastly different. This article will first explore the plant-based components of the prebiotic supplement before detailing the logical elements that form the DMN business standard.
DMN as a Dietary Supplement: 38TERA Daily Microbiome Nutrition
Developed by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, 38TERA DMN is a prebiotic fiber powder formulated to support digestive health by nourishing beneficial gut bacteria. The ingredients in this blend are sourced from specific plants and are certified low FODMAP, catering to individuals with sensitive stomachs. The supplement's formulation is divided into a prebiotic fiber blend and a polyphenol blend, with other natural ingredients for flavor and consistency.
The 38TERA DMN Prebiotic Blend
The core of the 38TERA supplement is a combination of prebiotic fibers designed to feed a diverse range of gut microbes.
- Solnul® Resistant Potato Starch (3500mg): A specific type of resistant starch that acts as a prebiotic. Studies have shown this ingredient can increase levels of beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium and improve bowel movements in healthy people.
- Actazin® Green Kiwifruit Powder (600mg): Sourced from New Zealand, this powder contains prebiotic fibers and the digestive enzyme actinidin. It has been shown to improve stool regularity and digestive comfort.
- Inavea™ Baobab Acacia (500mg): A blend of soluble dietary fibers from the baobab fruit and acacia gum. It provides prebiotic activity, promoting the growth of good bacteria.
Polyphenol Blend and Other Components
In addition to the prebiotic fibers, the supplement contains a blend of antioxidant-rich powders and other natural ingredients.
- Lingonberry Powder (250mg): Provides a high content of polyphenols and antioxidants, with potential benefits for gut health and metabolism.
- Red Beetroot Powder (190mg): Contains bioactive compounds and research indicates a potential to positively alter the gut microbiota.
- Mango Powder (155mg): Supplies polyphenols and additional fiber, which can have prebiotic and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Natural Flavors: Natural strawberry and black currant flavors are added for taste.
- Natural Sweetener: Monk fruit powder is included to provide sweetness without added sugars.
- Binding and Stabilizing Agents: Anhydrous silica and powdered rice hull are used to ensure the powder is smooth and easily mixable.
DMN as a Business Standard: Decision Model and Notation
Unlike the physical components of a supplement, the "ingredients" in Decision Model and Notation are the logical elements that structure and automate business decisions. DMN is a standard from the OMG for modeling the logic that underpins operational decisions, providing a bridge between business process models and the rules that define specific choices.
The Core Elements of a DMN Model
At its heart, a DMN model is built on a Decision Requirements Graph (DRG), which visually represents the dependencies between key elements. The primary components, or "ingredients," of this model are:
- Decisions: The central nodes of the model, where an outcome is determined based on incoming information and logic. A decision can depend on input data, business knowledge models, or the results of other decisions.
- Input Data: The raw information or data required to make a decision. This can be business-level concepts, system inputs, or other data points relevant to the decision logic.
- Business Knowledge Models (BKMs): Reusable and self-contained pieces of decision logic. BKMs are often invoked by decisions that need to apply the same logical procedure under different circumstances.
- Knowledge Sources: These elements represent external real-world factors that influence decision logic, such as regulations, documents, or policies. They are informational references rather than executable rules.
- Decision Services: A top-level component that packages a set of decisions into a reusable service with well-defined inputs and outputs. It allows the decision logic to be easily invoked by external applications or processes.
Friendly Enough Expression Language (FEEL)
FEEL is the expression language defined by the DMN standard to specify the decision logic. It is intentionally designed to be more business-friendly and readable by subject matter experts than standard programming languages. FEEL expressions are used within decision tables and other boxed expressions to define how an output is derived from inputs. Its capabilities include supporting various data types, such as numbers, strings, dates, and lists, and defining clear, unambiguous rules.
Comparison of DMN: Supplement vs. Standard
| Feature | 38TERA DMN (Daily Microbiome Nutrition) | DMN (Decision Model and Notation) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To improve digestive health by nourishing gut bacteria with prebiotics and polyphenols. | To model, define, and automate business decision logic and business rules. |
| Core Components | A blend of prebiotic fibers (resistant starch, kiwifruit, baobab, acacia) and polyphenols. | Decisions, input data, business knowledge models, knowledge sources, and the FEEL language. |
| Output | Improved digestive comfort, regularity, and a balanced gut flora. | A standardized, executable decision model that can be deployed to a rules engine. |
| Target User | Consumers seeking a gut health supplement, particularly those with a low FODMAP diet. | Business analysts, process owners, and software developers working on business automation. |
| Format | A powdered nutritional supplement to be mixed with liquid or food. | A standardized graphical and textual modeling language, often created with software tools. |
Conclusion
The phrase "ingredients in DMN" leads to two entirely different sets of components depending on the context. If referring to the dietary supplement, the ingredients are a specific blend of plant-based prebiotics and polyphenols, such as resistant potato starch, green kiwifruit powder, baobab, and acacia. However, if the reference is to the Decision Model and Notation standard, the "ingredients" are the logical and visual components of a decision model, including decision tables, input data, business knowledge models, and the Friendly Enough Expression Language (FEEL). An understanding of the context is essential to determine whether the subject is a gut-health formulation or a business automation framework. For further information on the business standard, the Object Management Group website provides comprehensive documentation on the topic: OMG DMN Specification.
