Description

With the added benefit of betaine Hydrochloride for optimized digestion. Digestive enzymes are proteins tailored to break down foods into nutrients that your body can then readily digest. The human body produces 22 different digestive enzymes. Many more are found in fruits, vegetables, meats, grains, and other foods. Disease and age can cause abnormal mucus secretions that block the ducts and tubules of the pancreas and prohibit the excretion of certain digestive enzymes into the intestines where the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. The destruction of the pancreas while gradual to some extent is probably 90% complete if you have been diagnosed as pancreatic insufficient. Later in life, usually in adulthood, the islets of Langerhans may be affected which can cause glucose intolerance and diabetes. Enteric pancreatic enzymes are taken to release protease, amylase, and, importantly, lipase into the digestive tract to make up for the non-functioning pancreas. These enzymes help digest, in particular, carbohydrates and fat. Pancreatic enzymes are the foundation of good nutritional status and weight gain and contribute significantly to overall health.

Digestive enzymes are complex proteins involved in digestion that stimulate chemical changes in other substances. They work optimally at specific temperature and pH. Digestive enzymes include pancreatic enzymes, plant-derived enzymes, and fungal-derived enzymes. There are three classes of digestive enzymes: proteolytic enzymes needed to digest protein, lipases needed to digest fat, and amylases needed to digest carbohydrates. In several conditions that cause malabsorption, such as pancreatic insufficiency and cystic fibrosis, doctors sometimes prescribe digestive enzymes to improve absorption of food. Doctors often tell people to try using pancreatic enzymes with meals when they have symptoms of indigestion that cannot be attributed to a specific cause. In a double-blind study, microencapsulated pancreatic enzymes were shown to reduce gas, bloating, and fullness after a high-fat meal. According to one theory, allergies are triggered by partially undigested protein. Proteolytic enzymes may reduce allergy symptoms by further breaking down undigested protein to sizes that are too small to cause allergic reactions. Limited scientific evidence supports this theory.

Action

Proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and bromelain are partially absorbed by the body. Once absorbed, they have anti-inflammatory activity and may even demonstrate antitumour effects. In one preliminary study of a handful of pancreatic cancer patients, the combination of proteolytic enzymes and other cancer treatments appeared to extend survival. Proteolytic enzymes may also improve immune system function, for example, in people with shingles (herpes zoster), though this area of research has not been adequately explored.

Only small amounts of the animal-based proteolytic enzymes, trypsin and chymotrypsin, are found in the diet; however, the pancreas can synthesize these enzymes. The plant-based proteolytic enzyme bromelain comes from the stems of pineapples and is useful in many conditions. Papain comes from unripe papayas. All of these enzymes are available as supplements.

Suggested Use

Take 1 or 2 capsules daily with meals or after meals as an aid for digestion. In the case of gastric upsets caused by overeating, take 1 additional capsule during the meal or as directed by your health professional.