Some foods can cause gas and bloating.

What Are Digestive Enzymes?

Digestion is the chemical processes of reducing food from it's larger constituents to smaller and smaller molecules. Digestive enzymes speed up the chemical reactions, making it possible for food to be digested and absorbed. Each type of food we eat (protein, fats, and carbohydrates) need a different digestive enzyme to break it down.

Why Are Plant Based Digestive Enzymes Are Best?

Plant based digestive enzymes work no matter what your stomach pH is. Stomach pH is determined by how much hydrochloric acid your stomach produces. Animal based digestive enzymes only work if your stomach pH drops very low so if you experience hypochlorhydria, may never benefit from animal based digestive enzymes. Hypochlorhydria is a lack of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juices. If you take a acid blocker (like Prilosec, cimetidine (Tagamet), etc) you have a lack of hydrochloric acid in your gastric juices. Also, as we age, we naturally produce less hydrochloric acid. Look for a comprehensive, plant based, digestive enzyme.

What Should I Look For In A Comprehensive, Plant Based Digestive Enzyme Supplement?

1. Lactase: Helps digest the lactose, or milk sugar, found in dairy products.* If you are lactose intolerant (problems consuming milk products), this should relieve your symptoms.
   
2. Alpha-Galactosidase: Helps digest the complex sugars found in beans and other legumes, and in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.* This enzyme is not produced by the body. Clinical studies indicate that ingesting alpha-galactosidase with a meal of beans or other gas-producing foods should allow most people to consume a typical serving of these foods with greater ease and comfort.*
3. Protease: Helps to break down protein foods.* NOTE: Individuals with extreme cases of gastritis or ulcers should begin their enzyme supplementation with very little (or no) protease. Then slowly introduce protease in approximately 4-6 weeks. This is due to the fact that protease may temporarily have a burning sensation on individuals with these situations.
4. Amylase: Helps to digest the starchy carbohydrates in foods such as breads, pasta, and potatoes.*
5. Lipase: Helps to digest the fats in foods.*

Why Should I Supplement With Plant Based Digestive Enzymes?

Raw food has intact enzymes that assist in the digestion of that food group. However, cooking destroys those enzymes. Also natural enzyme production diminishes with age. So it stands to reason that either aging, eating little raw foods or low hydrochloric acid production leads to a failure to completely digest foods and incomplete assimilation of nutrients.

Who Should Supplement With Plant Based Digestive Enzymes?

• Anyone who experienced gas or bloating after meals.
  
• Those who are lactose intolerant. Inherited lactose deficiency is found in many ethnic groups (up to 10% of American Caucasians, and in 60–90% of Americans of African, Jewish, Mexican, Asian, or American Indian descent).
  
• Older persons experiencing difficulty after eating fatty foods. Research suggests that older adults may experience age-related changes in gastrointestinal activity, including declines in lipase activity leading to difficulty breaking down dietary fats.
  
• Anyone eating a typical Western diet. It has been shown that heavy, fat-laden meals can take longer to digest. Because of this, a typical American diet leads to a certain amount of protein escaping digestion.
  
• Anyone trying to eat a healthier diet. The human body doesn’t produce the enzymes needed to break apart some of the complex sugars in foods such as whole grains, beans, peas, cabbage, broccoli, and a number of other vegetable and fruits. These foods are the cornerstone of a healthy diet.
  
• Anyone taking acid blocking medication.
  

Achieve Digestive Health With This Comprehensive, Plant Based Enzyme Digestive Aid*

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.