New supplements offer ways to take advantage of these essential nutrients

Like most Americans, you’ve probably experienced the symptoms before but tried not to speak of them. Heartburn. Bloating. Gas. Diarrhea. While these are common—and sometimes embarrassing—effects of poor digestion, they are by no means the only ailments that can occur. Unhealthy digestive systems can also be responsible for a whole host of subtle yet troubling problems not commonly associated with digestive issues, such as fatigue, skin rashes, headaches, poor concentration and irritability (Westen, 2000).

As the foundation for health and vitality, the digestive system feeds the brain, the liver, the heart and every other organ, gland and tissue—right down to the cellular level. By keeping nutrient intake and waste elimination running smoothly, the digestive system increases physical vitality and the ability to fight illness, delays aging, improves moods and enhances general well-being (Anderson, 2001). When your system is compromised, however, even the healthiest diet cannot be effectively utilyzed by your body.

“Everyone assumes that digestion just normally happens, but it doesn’t,” says Howard Loomis, D.C., an authority in enzyme therapy and author of Enzymes: The Key to Health (Grolee Publishing, 1999). The importance of enzymes, while known by many people in the scientific community, is still a relative secret for the average consumer; essentially, the more you use these molecular powerhouses, the more you improve your own health.

Can’t Live Without Them
“Enzymes are critical for life,” says Anthony J. Cichoke, D.C., author of The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy (Avery 1999). Enzymes are essential protein-based substances that function as catalysts for both the digestive system and for many chemical reactions in the body. There are two types of enzymes: metabolic and digestive. The body produces hundreds of thousands of metabolic enzymes to help you perform basic activities like walking and talking. Digestive enzymes, such as protease, amylase and lipase, break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats into usable nutrients.

Despite the vital role enzymes play in keeping us healthy, many Americans do not get enough of them in their diets. Depleting the body’s enzyme capacity contributes to many of life’s pains and strains, as well as indigestion and weak immune function (Cichoke, 2000).

Enzymes come both from the foods we eat and from what the body naturally produces, primarily in the pancreas. Some of the best food sources for enzymes are fresh fruits, vegetables and sprouted grains. Just as your body needs enzymes to function, plants also need enzymes for growth, reproduction and health. Any live, fresh fruit, vegetable or grain is a potential enzyme source, but only if the enzymes have not been destroyed by heat, radiation or any of the other processes to which we subject our modern-day foods. Processing food in any way, whether by boiling, baking, microwaving or steaming, kills enzymes (Westen, 2000).

Eating a diet of mostly cooked or processed foods devoid of enzymes can lead to enzyme deficiencies that initially cause digestive problems and later spirals into greater ailments. Unfortunately, a typical American diet is filled with high-fat, high-sodium meals grabbed on the go that lead to indigestion, heartburn, constipation and diarrhea (Mure, 1989). Although approximately 40% of Americans believe they have food allergies, in reality, it’s said that only about 1% to 3% actually do have this problem (Cichoke, 2000). What many may believe is an allergy can actually be food intolerance that occurs because the body lacks the enzymes necessary to digest that specific food. In addition, the quantity and quality of our body’s enzymes decreases as you get older. Fortunately, supplemental enzymes can help these issues and may prove to be the key to peak health (Cichoke 2000).

Solving the Enzyme Enigma
Digestive-tract specialists and enzyme-therapy practitioners believe most people would benefit greatly from taking enzyme supplements (Cichoke, 2000). The three classes of macronutrients in food—proteins, carbohydrates and fats—each have a corresponding class of digestive enzymes that convert these food materials into chemical substances used for the growth, maintenance and repair of the body (Dolby, 1998).

Protease for Proteins
Every animal, including humans, must have an adequate source of protein in order to grow or maintain itself. Protease is the enzyme that helps digest proteins.

• Breaks the peptide bonds in proteins to liberate the amino acids needed by the body.
• Helps manage acidity in the blood, as an alkaline excess can cause anxiety and insomnia.
• Digests unwanted toxins and debris in the blood to enhance immune system functions.
• Assists in carrying protein-bound calcium in the blood to support bones and joints.

Carbohydrates Need Amylase
Carbohydrates in food are important and immediate sources of energy for the body, stored in the body as glycogen for future use. If eaten in excessive amounts, however, the body changes carbs and stores them as fat.

• Digests carbohydrates to eventually be converted into glucose, which the body then uses as energy.
• Involved in anti-inflammatory reactions that occur in organs in contact with the outside world, such as the lungs or the skin, to help prevent eczema and asthma.

Lipase Dissolves Fat
While too much fat can cause severe health conditions, including heart disease and cancer, some fat is required. All cell membranes and other structures are made up of lipids (fats), so an adequate supply of Essential Fatty Acids in the diet is important to ensure viable cells. As important as it is to limit your fat intake to between 20-30% of your daily diet, it is equally important to ensure that you are properly digesting the fats you eat.

• Helps digest fat and fat-soluble vitamins for weight and blood-sugar control.
• Enhances cell permeability so nutrients can get in and waste can get out.
• Affects deposits of adipose and cholesterol, useful for people with a high fat intake.

Additional Critical Enzymes

• Cellulase: Helps digest fiber, particularly important because the body is unable to produce it.
• Lactase: Helps digest dairy products, breaks down milk sugar (lactose) to ease intestinal problems associated with lactose intolerance.
• Bromelain: Extracted from the stem of pineapples, accelerates the healing process within the body.
• Papain: Derived from papayas, helps ease gluten intolerance (gluten is protein found in wheat, rye, barley).

Proponents of enzyme supplementation point to the ability of enzymes to “purify” the blood, strengthen the immune system, enhance mental capacity, cleanse the colon and maintain proper pH balance in urine (McNulty, 2001). By “rebuilding” the digestive system, through healthier eating and enzyme supplements, you can make dramatic changes to your overall health, for both the short and long-term.

 

References
Anderson, R. (2001). A Key to Vibrant Health: Digestion. Healthy & Natural Journal. February. Retrieved online January 19, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HKL/is_1_8/ai_76445417/pg_2.

Cichoke, A.J. (2000a). Enzymes: Are You Getting Enough? Better Nutrition. March. Retrieved online January 17, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_3_62/ai_61361480/.

Cichoke, A. J. (2000). Enzymes to the Rescue. Better Nutrition. September. Retrieved online January 16, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HKL/is_1_8/ai_76445417.

Cichoke, A.J. (1999). The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group.

Dolby, V. (1998). Enzymes: Unlocking the Power of Food. Better Nutrition. March. Retrieved online January 18, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_n3_v60/ai_20398599.

EnzymeEssentials.com (2004). Amylase: Digestive enzyme to digest carbohydrates. April 23. Retrieved online January 20, 2006 from http://www.enzymeessentials.com/HTML/amylase.html.

EnzymeEssentials.com. Protease. Retrieved online January 16, 2006 from http://www.enzymeessentials.com/HTML/protease.html.

EnzymeEssentials.com. The Importance of Lipase. Retrieved online January 16, 2006 from http://www.enzymeessentials.com/HTML/lipase.html.

Freund, J.N. (1999). Lactase: Gene Makes Milk Lactose-Free. Nutrition Research Letter. February. Retrieved online January 13, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0887/is_2_18/ai_54007704.

Kapes, B. (2001). Bromelain. Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Retrieved online January 19, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0002/ai_2603000230.

Loomis, H. (1999). Enzymes: The Key to Health. Madison, WI: Grote Publishing.

McNulty, M. (2001). Enzyme Therapy. Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Retrieved online January 16, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0003/ai_2603000343.

Mure, C. (1989). Ease Indigestion the Natural Way: Natural Digestive Aids. Better Nutrition. August. Retrieved online January 19, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0860/is_n8_v51/ai_7746049.

Sharp, K. (2001). Digestive Enzymes. Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Retrieved online January 18, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0003/ai_2603000328.

Westen, R. (2000). The Missing Piece of the Equation: Enzymes in Well-Being and Proper Function of Digestive Organs. Vegetarian Times. October. Retrieved online January 19, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_2000_Oct/ai_67044598.

York, B. (2003). Do You Need Enzyme Supplements? Think Healthy News. Shape. October. Retrieved online January 16, 2006 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0846/is_2_23/ai_108112376.