Reference Guide for DIGESTIVE NUTRIENTS

This Guide contains an Overview and information on   AMYLASE   BETAIN HCL    BROMELAIN   CELLULASE   LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS  LACTOBACILLUS BIFIDUS   LIPASE   PANCRELIPASE  PAPAIN   PEPSIN   PROTEASE 

Reference Guide for: Vitamins   Minerals  Amino Acids   Herbs   Special Nutrients   Anti-Oxidants   Dietary Fibers   Nutritional Greens   DIGESTIVE NUTRIENTS   also see   Nutritional Glossary 

This information is designed to help adults make informed decisions about their health and is intended to be used for general nutritional information and educational purposes only.  It is not intended to prescribe, treat, cure, diagnose or prevent any particular medical problem or disease, or to promote any particular product. Women who are pregnant or nursing should always consult with their doctors before taking any supplements. You should always consult your health care professional for individual guidance for specific health concerns. Persons with medical conditions should seek professional medical care. 

DIGESTIVE NUTRIENTS Overview

Enzymes are found in all living plants and animal matter. They are essential for maintaining proper function of the body, digesting food, and aiding in the repair or construction of new muscle tissue, nerve cells, bone, skin, and glandular tissue. In addition, enzymes aid in elimination of toxins in the colon, kidneys, lungs and skin. Enzymes accelerate nearly every chemical reaction in the body. Many of these chemical reactions happen in the mouth, stomach, and intestines, where enzymes go to work on your morning breakfast and continue to assail every food you put in your mouth all day long. Other enzymes speed up nerve impulses that make your heart pump, your head turn, and your hand pull away from a hot stove. In the stomach and intestines, a variety of these enzymes go to work on carbohydrates, fats and proteins, breaking them into smaller pieces that can be absorbed through the lining of the small intestine. If food is allowed to pass undigested through the small intestine into the large intestine, bacteria will prey upon it causing bloating and other intestinal problems.  See References.

AMYLASE

A digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates (polysaccharides) into smaller units (disaccharides) and eventually converting them into even smaller units (monosaccharides) such as glucose. It also digests dead white blood cells (pus). If your body is low on amylase, you are a candidate for abscesses (inflamed areas with pus). Is involved in anti-inflammatory reactions such as those caused by the release of histamine; helps clear up outbreaks of psoriasis, eczema, and hives.  More on AMYLASESee References. 

BETAIN HCL

An enzyme derived from beets, which helps the breakdown of fats and protein. Helps bring relief from bloating, belching, burning, and flatulence, immediately after meals; aids the absorption of nutrients through the intestinal wall and into the blood; protects the gastrointestinal tract from harmful bacteria.  More on BETAIN HCL.  See References

Formulas that contain BETAIN HCL:  Alert Heart Maximus One Two Three Four Five Six Seven.

BROMELAIN

A digestive enzyme derived from pineapple that works on breaking down protein; increases the effectiveness of antibiotics; helpful for people with food allergies, especially wheat and other grains; is an effective treatment for severe bruising and hematomas; enhances the absorption of nutrients from food and supplements; reduces the pain and swelling due to arthritis or injury; has a protective effect on the stomach lining; prevents high levels of fibrinogen, which can cause blood clots; reduces inflammation; has been used to treat hemorrhoids, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and menstrual pain.  More on BROMELAIN.  See References

Formulas that contain BROMELAIN:  Heart  Maximus 

CELLULASE

A digestive enzyme that breaks down cellulose (a plant fiber) to soluble sugar so it can be digested. Plant fiber is found in foods like bran muffins, broccoli, vegetable soup, whole grain breads, and oatmeal.  More on CELLULASE.  See References

LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS

A type of "Friendly Bacteria" that helps maintain healthy bacteria in the lower (small) intestines. Antibiotics, birth control pills, Aspirin, a poor diet, sugar, yeast, and stress, can destroy beneficial (friendly) intestinal flora causing an overgrowth of the fungus Candida Albicans. This fungus grows in the intestines, vagina, lungs, mouth, on the fingers, or under your finger and toenails. Acidophilus keeps the intestines clean and can eliminate bad breath caused by intestinal putrefaction, constipation, foul-smelling flatulence, and aids in the treatment of acne and other skin problems. It produces the enzyme lactase required for the digestion of lactose (milk sugar) and aids in the digestion of other nutrients by producing natural antibodies.  It has been used to help prevent canker sores, the common cold, colon cancer, diverticular disease, eczema, high cholesterol, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, Crohn's disease, milk allergies, ulcers, and vaginal infection.  More on LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS.  See References

Formulas that contain LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS:   Maximus 

LACTOBACILLUS BIFIDUS

A type of "Friendly Bacteria" that helps maintain healthy bacteria in the large intestine; increases the acidity of the region it inhabits and makes the area inhospitable to dangerous bacteria; prevents harmful bacteria from converting compounds known as nitrates (ingested in food or water) into nitrites, which are known to cause cancer. Things that destroy "friendly" bacteria are, over the-counter drugs, birth control pills, chlorine and fluoride in tap water, environmental pollutants, mental & physical stress, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, tobacco, alcohol, and getting older.  More on LACTOBACILLUS BIFIDUS.  See References

Formulas that contain LACTOBACILLUS BIFIDUS:   Maximus 

LIPASE

Is an enzyme that hydrolyzes lipids (breaks down fats). Fats require special digestive action before absorption because the end products must be carried in a water medium (blood & lymph) in which fats are not soluble. Lipase is the primary digestant used to split fats into fatty acids and glycerol. Helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides; aids weight loss; may reduce the size 'of gallstones; increases cell permeability so that nutrients can enter and wastes can exit. A common symptom of lipase deficiency is muscle spasms, which occur across the upper shoulders, neck or rectum.  More on LIPASE.  See References 

PANCRELIPASE

Is a combination of three enzymes; lipase, protease, and amylase, which are important in the digestion of fats, protein and sugars.  More on PANCRELIPASE.  See References

PAPAIN

An enzyme extracted from the papaya fruit that aids the digestion of protein by breaking them down into smaller peptones. Has been used to prevent cornea scar deformation; has a mild soothing effect on the stomach; used to treat jellyfish and insect bites; used to accelerate wound healing; used as an indigestion medicine; reduces swelling, fever and adhesions after surgery; helps to treat ulcers.  More on PAPAIN.  See References

PEPSIN

A vital digestive enzyme found in the gastric juice that breaks up proteins of ingested food, splitting them into usable amino acids; breaks up debris and toxins in the blood; helps increase blood flow; has a powerful immune strengthening effect.  More on PEPSIN.  See References

PROTEASE

Is a pancreatic enzyme that aids digestion by breaking down protein molecules into single amino acids.   More on PROTEASE.  See References.

Reference Guide for: Vitamins   Minerals  Amino Acids   Herbs   Special Nutrients   Anti-Oxidants  
 
Dietary Fibers   Nutritional Greens   DIGESTIVE NUTRIENTS   also see   Nutritional Glossary 

Also see:
Phytochemicals: Nutrients Of The Future

Antioxidants: An Antidote to Aging?
Better Eating for Better Aging
Nutrition Is Key To Successful Aging: Kidd
Latest Concepts in Nutrition
Life Long Weight Management for Health and Happiness
10 Tips to Healthy Eating
New Perspectives on Diet and Cancer
Upbeat on Fiber for Longer Life and Better Health
A Refresher On Water for Long Life and Health 
Daily Recommendations: Vitamins, Minerals & Trace Elements
Suggested Readings and Guide References