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Digestive
Enzymes
What They Are and How They Work
Many of our customers have asked us about digestive enzymes
and their importance. We decided to answer some commonly
asked questions about digestive enzymes, their role in
the human body and why they are so important for good
health.
What
Are Digestive Enzymes?
Enzymes are an organic catalyst produced by living cells
but capable of acting independently of the cells producing
them. They are complex colloidal substances which are
capable of inducing chemical changes in other substances
without themselves being changed in the process. Many
enzymes have been isolated in pure crystalline form and
all have proved to be protein in nature. There are also
Metabolic enzymes which help convert foods to fuel and
waste to manageable substances for removal. These Metabolic
enzymes will not be discussed in this article.
Some
digestive enzymes are decomposing in nature, breaking
down proteins, carbohydrates and fats that we eat. Some
enzymes are also important in reaction of assimilation
helping us to absorb nutrients and energy from foods.
All digestive enzymes require minerals to activate them.
Some need trace minerals and other enzymes need macro
minerals. Macro minerals are those minerals that your
body uses most like calcium and magnesium.
Digestive
enzymes are found particularly in digestive juices, acting
upon food substances causing them to break down into simpler
compounds. Many enzymes are produced in the body and many
are contained in live whole foods (foods that are still
living; such as a fresh apple or fresh garden salad.)
Enzymes are capable of accelerating greatly the speed
of chemical reaction (digestion).
Many
enzymes come from living foods. These living foods have
enzymes which help break down food during digestion. Enzymes
are temperature sensitive and most are destroyed if the
cooking temperature exceeds 118° F. Needless to say
most cooked foods are void of active enzymes as are most
processed foods on the market today. It is a good thing
that there are many digestive enzyme supplements on the
market today. Many Americans live a fast paced fast food
lifestyle and routinely do not get enough active digestive
enzymes.
The
rate of Gastro Intestinal disorders is on the rise in
the United States and some experts say that over 50% of
people will develop problems in their lifetime. This is
an alarming number of people who will be affected by digestive
problems that may be easy to prevent using digestive enzymes
on a daily basis. Since most of us eat foods that contain
little to no active digestive enzymes it is easy to see
where G.I. disorders start and how they may compound over
time. Simply taking digestive enzymes with every meal
could and may keep you from ever developing a G.I. disorder
or disease. Digestive enzymes are also helpful in keeping
disease at bay.
Some
Common Diseases Linked to Poor Digestion
Leaky
Gut Syndrome
Colitis
Crohn’s
Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Chronic Bloating/Gas
Lupus
Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Chronic
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Cancer
A Closer Look at Digestive Enzymes
· Protease- proteolytic enzymes
which are responsible for breaking down and for the utilization
of proteins. Important for muscle and tissue repair as
well as immune function.
· Amylase-digests starch and carbohydrates.
Acts in concert with proteases to stimulate immune system
function. Act in association with lipase to digest fragments
of viruses and reduce inflammation and infections.
· Lipase-digests fats, therby
aiding in weight control, maintaining and enhancing cardiovascular
health, and helping to maintain proper liver and gall
bladder function.
· Maltase-digests maltose, malt
and grain sugars. May help relive environmental sensitivities
and allergies.
· Invertase-digests sugars. Beneficial
in helping prevent gastrointestinal problems and discomfort.
· Alpha-Galactosidase-aids in
the digestion of difficult to digests foods such as beans,
legumes and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli
and cauliflower.
· Lactase-digests the milk sugar
lactose. Extremely useful for individuals suffering from
lactose intolerance. May be beneficial for those suffering
from irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders
in which a high percentage are adversely affected by dairy
products.
· Cellulase-digests fiber cellulose
into smaller units, which include d-glucose. Helps remedy
digestive problems such as malabsorption. Cellulase is
a very important enyme because the human body cannot produce
it on its own.
· Xylanase-breaks down the sugar
xylose
· Pectinase-breaks down carbohydrates
called hemi-celluloses, which are found in plant foods.
· Hemicellulase-breaks down carbohydrates,
specifically phytates (phytic acid), present in many difficult
to digest grains and beans. Especially useful for those
suffering from serious bowel disorders which results in
an inability to handle phytates from soy and gluten from
wheat, oats, rye, and barley. Phytase may increase mineral
absorption and the bioavailability of iron, zinc, calcium
and magnesium.
· Beta-Glucanase-breaks down polysaccharides
and fibers known as beta glucans.
· Arabinosidase-digests the sugar
arabinose.
· Bromelain-an enzyme from the
stem of pineapples, breaks down protein and fight inflammation
and reduces swelling. May speed the recovery of injuries
and swelling resulting from athletics, child birth and
surgery.
· Papain-similar to the chymotrypsin,
a protein digesting enzyme produced by the body. Used
to treat chronic diarrhea and celiac disease. Treats gastrointestinal
discomfort due to intestinal parasites.
These
enzymes and other whole foods not only effectively aid
digestion in general, but also help to remove accumulated,
sticky waste adhered to the lining of the intestines and
colon-what some health experts term “mucoid plaque”-
that originates a whole array of digestion contingent
diseases.
If
you are at all skeptical about the effectiveness of digestive
enzymes, we challenge you to take two to four capsules
of one of the below listed digestive enzymes with each
meal for about three to four days; then stop taking them
altogether for one to two days. You will immediately notice
the contrast as your body goes back to what you will now
realize was your earlier sub-par state of poor digestion.
Digestive Enzymes Available Through Spirit of Healing
Omega Zyme Powder
Omega
Zyme Caplets
Similase
90 count
Similase 180 count
Digestine
In
Conclusion
Final words on digestive enzymes are that no one should
be without these important substance. Digestive enzymes
are important for keeping us healthy and helping to prevent
gastrointestinal disorders and chronic bad digestion.
Increasing the amount of whole foods can help increase
digestive enzymes but most of us don’t eat a diet
of 50% or more whole foods so we should use a good digestive
enzyme supplement with each meal. Digestive enzymes are
a catalyst to many life functions, and no one should be
without these important enzymes. We hope this information
has helped you understand the functions of digestive enzymes
and their importance. Have a great and healthy day.
________________________________________________________________________
REFERENCES: Jordan S. Rubin, N.M.D, C.N.C.
Patient Heal Thyself by Freedom Press 2003 / James F.
Balch M.D., Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C Prescription for Healing
2nd edition Avery Publishing Group 1997
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