Digestive Enzymes

Enzymes are protein molecules found in all living cells. They break down proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fiber making it possible to benefit from the nutrients found in those foods while removing the toxins. Enzymes turn the food we eat into energy and unlock this energy for use in the body. Their presence and strength can be determined by improved blood and immune system functions.

There are three types of enzymes. Our bodies naturally produce two types, digestive and metabolic enzymes as they are needed, while food enzymes can only be consumed orally.

  • Metabolic Enzymes speed up the chemical reaction within the cells for detoxification and energy production. They enable us to see, hear, feel, move and think. Every organ, every tissue, and all 100 trillion cells in our body depend upon the reaction of metabolic enzymes and their energy factor. Metabolic enzymes are produced by every living cell. However, the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and other organs play a vital role in their production.
  • Digestive Enzymes are secreted along the digestive tract to break food down into nutrients and waste. This allows nutrients to be absorbed into the blood stream and the waste to be discarded. Human digestive enzymes include ptyalin, pepsin, trypsin, lipase, protease, and amylase. The body does not make cellulase, an enzyme necessary for proper digestion of fiber, so it must be introduced through the raw foods we eat.
  • Food Enzymes are introduced to the body through the raw foods we eat and through consumption of supplemental enzyme fortifiers. Raw foods naturally contain enzymes, providing a source of digestive enzymes when ingested. However, raw food manifests only enough enzymes to digest that particular food, not enough to have any support systemically. The cooking and processing of food destroys all of its enzymes. Since most of the foods we eat are cooked or processed in some way and since the raw foods we do eat contain only enough enzymes to process that particular food, our bodies must produce the majority of the digestive enzymes we require. For these reasons it is recommended that we supplement our diet with enzymes.

To help with digestion, many find a good combination of digestive enzymes help them to digest and assimilate the nutrients more efficiently. Also, as a person ages, they produce fewer of these enzymes, and the less desirable bacteria that may already be in your gut thrive on undigested food. We all have problems with certain foods, and this may help you decide what type of enzymes to look for.

Digestion is much more complete with a good, multi-enzyme , particularly for fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Try to find an enzyme formula that contains Betain Hydrochloride, since this is where the digestion starts, with the stomach acids to break the food down. Many people are low in stomach acid and have problems with gas, bloating and constipation.A good multi-enzyme formula, containing as many of the bellow, will help you to utilize your food and your supplements more thoroughly. If you cannot find one that contains Betain Hydrochloride, it is suggested that this be taken as a tablet along with every meal.

Known enzymes and their function:

  • Protease, breaks down proteins.
  • Amylase and glucoamylase break down glucose molecules and polysaccharides.
  • Malt diastase breaks down starches
  • Invertase, digests sugars
  • Lipase, breaks down both saturated and unsaturated fats and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
  • Beta-fructofuranosidase helps digest complex starches.
  • Cellulase and hemicellulase break down fiber
  • Acid-protease convert proteins into amino acids
  • Bromelain-from the stems of pineapple, helps digest protein.

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