Enzymes for Digestion

We've all heard the saying, "You are what you eat".

In reality, though, did you know that "You are what you absorb"?

It was Dr. Edward Howell who called enzymes the "sparks of life". That's because these protein molecules are involved in nearly every biochemical activity in the body. They accelerate and trigger hundreds of thousands of reactions in the body. Without enzymes, these reactions would simply take place far too slowly to sustain life.

Digestive enzymes are the most popular type people take as a supplement. They break down food particles into their basic parts so the body can use them effectively. Some people think that since our bodies make enzymes, and food contains enzymes, it's unnecessary to take them supplementally. But there are a few problems with that.

First, while the body does make enzymes, the amount it makes can decrease as we age. This means that we can become susceptible to gas, bloating, heartburn, and actual malnutrition. It's critical that we absorb all the nutrients we possibly can.

The second reason for supplemental enzymes is because of the way we typically eat our food. If all of our food was organic, and we ate it raw, we may not need extra enzyme support. The problem is that enzymes are extremely sensitive to heat. Even cooking food as low as 118 degrees will destroy most enzymes in food.

Another reason to take enzymes is that the digestion process itself takes a tremendous amount of energy. If we're sick with an infection or a chronic illness, the body's resources are better spent dealing with the illness instead of trying to also digest food. Supplemental enzymes can help with that.

The best enzyme supplements contain a wide variety to help digest different types of food. It needs Protease to help digest protein, Amylase for carbohydrates, and Lipase for digesting fats. People who are lactose intolerant will benefit from having an enzyme called Lactase to help with dairy products like yogurt. And for the times when we cheat on the Phase 1 Diet and splurge with some grains or sugars, it would be ideal to have enzymes like Sucrase and Maltase to help with those foods.

Would you like help choosing a good, comprehensive digestive enzyme for your family? Give me a call or visit the Digestive Enzymes page.

I'm Guy Evans, and now you know!