Digestive Enzymes
This formula has been designed for people requiring supplemental digestive enzymes to aid in the
breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Enzymes are found in all living plant and animal
matter; they are essential to maintain all the body functions working properly. Each enzyme has a
specific function in the body that no other enzyme can carry out. Digestive enzymes are specifically
involved in the process of digestion. They are considered proteolytic enzymes since they only work on
proteins, breaking them down into smaller peptones by hydrolysis. They break down food particles
for storage in the liver or muscles, and this stored energy is used later by the body.
Description
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 antiinflammatory activity and may even demonstrate antitumor 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
Adults 18+: Take 1–3 capsules daily with food or as directed by your health care practitioner.
Take with or immediately before a meal/food. Swallow whole; do not crush or chew. Use the
smallest effective dose which controls symptoms.
EACH VEGETABLE CAPSULE CONTAINS:
Pancreatic enzymes (Sus scrofa pancreas) . . . . . . . 11.4 mg
(1140 USP protease, 1140 USP amylase, 91.2 USP lipase)
Betaine hydrochloride. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105.3 mg
Ox bile (Bos taurus liver) extract [10:1] . . . . . . . . . 64.8 mg
Papain (Carica papaya fruit) isolate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 mg
(2,400,000 FCC PU)
Pepsin isolate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.4 mg (324 FCC pepsin)
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