Enzyme Supplements
Promote Healthy Digestion
Remember all those times
Mom told you to chew your food? She was on to
something. Beneficial enzymes released by your salivary glands
jumpstart the digestive process, which in turn facilitates
the breakdown of food and the subsequent transfer of nutrients,
water and electrolytes from the digestive tract to the bloodstream.
 The chemical processes
of digestion begin with reducing food’s
larger constituents to smaller and smaller molecules. Within
this procedure, enzymes catalyze the chemical reactions, making
it possible for food to be digested and absorbed.Each type of
food we eat contains different combinations of carbohydrates,
fats and proteins, as well as vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
The end result of the digestive process is that those nutrients
are broken down into forms usable by the body’s cells.
For example, when proteins from meat or vegetarian
foods are digested, they are broken down into amino acids, which
are subsequently used to build the proteins incorporated into
organs and body tissues.
Further, while unhealthy eating habits can lead
to a buildup of harmful toxins in the body (which can subsequently
lead to weight gain and poor health), adding a daily enzyme supplement
to your diet may help relieve the body of some of its toxic burden.
Essentially, as the supplementary enzymes assist with the digestive
process, the body is able to devote more time to producing the
enzymes necessary to eliminate toxins.
When choosing a digestive
enzyme supplement, look for a formula that combines several different
enzymes such as lipase (to help digest fats), amylase (for carbohydrates),
and protease (for proteins), as this combination more closely
mimics natural enzyme activity. If you have a particular digestive
problem, however, individual enzymes can provide targeted support.
For example, those who are lactose intolerant may benefit from
supplementing with lactase, the enzyme that helps break down
milk sugar.
Proteolytic enzymes, which help break down protein,
are now available from the kiwi fruit (kiwi protease), pineapple
(bromelain) and papaya (papain). Research shows that these enzymes
help the body break down protein, casein, and gluten. Digestive
enzymes are also effective in the fight against inflammation.
Plant-based enzymes are gaining
popularity as people discover their potential to help promote
healthy digestion. The main advantage of these supplements
is their versatility: although each person’s
digestive system varies in its acidity and alkalinity, plant
enzymes are equally effective in both types of environments.
But
the bottom line is simple: Supplementing
with digestive enzymes relieves the body of some of the burden
of creating these chemicals, giving it the opportunity to invest
more energy in making other types of enzymes, such as those used
for detoxification. Doing so can also release energy to repair
damaged tissue and slow the aging process, offering our bodies
a valuable defense against the many stresses of our modern lifestyle. |
