WHAT ARE ENZYMES?
Enzymes are biologically active proteins found in all
living cells. Metabolic enzymes catalyze and
regulate every biochemical reaction that occurs
within the human body, making them essential
for cellular function and overall health. Digestive
enzymes turn the food we eat into energy which
may be utilized by the body for various biological
processes. Our bodies naturally produce both digestive and metabolic enzymes, as they are needed.
WHY TAKE DIGESTIVE ENZYME
SUPPLEMENTS?
Nearly one in three people in the U.S. experience
some kind of digestive problem.1,2
Though many suffer, few have to. The typical benefits of enzyme supplementation include reduced
digestive distress, increased energy and improved
regularity.*
Soothe Digestive Distress:
When undigested foods travel through the intestines they can irritate and potentially damage the
sensitive intestinal wall. Over time, this irritation
may reduce our digestive capacity and negatively
influence the vital absorption process.
Increase Energy:
According to Yuri Elkaim author of Eating for Energy,
in most cases, up to 80% of our body’s vital energy
is spent on digestion.3
By aiding the breakdown and absorption of foods,
you can free up enormous amounts of energy,
increasing physical vitality and enhancing energy
levels.*
Promote Regularity:
Promoting proper digestion may encourage a
healthy intestinal environment, and help relieve
occasional constipation and irregularity.*
“Common GI Problems: Volume 1.” The American College of Gastroenterology. The American College of Gastroenterology, n.d. Web. 30 Jul.
2010 <http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/cgp/cgpvol1.asp>.
1
U.S. Census Bureau (2010). Data Finders: Population Clocks. Retrieved
October 28, 2010. www.census.gov ,<http://www.census.gov/>
2
Elkaim, Yuri. “Health Benefits of Fasting.” Eating for Energy Blog. Yuri
Elkaim, 22 Oct 2009. Web. 2 Aug 2010. <http://eatingforenergy.ca/
blog/177/health-benefits-of-fasting/>.
3
WHAT TYPES OF ENZYME SUPPLEMENTS ARE
AVAILABLE?
Plant Based Enzymes are the most popular choice of
supplemental enzymes. They are grown in a
laboratory setting and extracted from certain types
of fungal, bacterial or microbial sources.
Plant Enzymes consist of bromelain and papain.
Bromelain is a proteolyic (breaks down protein) and
milk-clotting enzyme derived from the pineapple
stem. A concentrate of this enzyme can be used as
an anti-inflammatory agent, a meat tenderizer and
in the chill-proofing of beer. Like pepsin and
papain, bromelain has an optimal temperature
higher than normal body temperature. There is
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
“Unlike certain vitamins, minerals
and herbs, there is no upper limit
(or threshold) to the amount of
supplemental enzymes that can
be consumed.”
always greater heat at the site of inflammation than
any other part of the body. Papain is an enzyme
derived from the latex of papaya. This enzyme
becomes active in an environment of 6.0 – 8.0 pH.
Like bromelain, it supports the body’s recovery from
over exertion or minor injury.
Glandular/Animal: Chymotrypsin, pancreatin,
pepsin and trypsin are enzymes from the pancreas,
stomach and small intestine derived from animal
glands and organs. These enzymes require an
alkaline pH level of 8.0 to become active. They
provide support for glands and can assist
circulation.
WHAT SIDE EFFECTS SHOULD I EXPECT FROM
THE USE OF SUPPLEMENTAL ENZYMES?
Enzymes typically have positive effects such as
increased energy and relief from digestive
complaints.* Few negative effects are reported.
A very small percentage of people have reported
upset stomach and soft stool (more frequent and
softer bowel movements) when first beginning to
take a high-potency digestive enzyme supplement.
As with any adverse effect, discontinue use and
consult a health care practitioner.
HOW QUICKLY WILL I FEEL RESULTS WITH THE
USE OF ENZYME SUPPLEMENTS?
Some individuals insist that the effects of digestive
enzymes can be felt more quickly than other
nutritional products. The typical experience allows
for the consumer to make an educated decision on
the continuing use of a particular product within
just a few days to a few weeks because of the speed
of results with enzymes.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO TAKE TOO MANY
ENZYMES?
Supplemental enzymes perform very specific
activities (amylase breaks down carbohydrates,
lipase breaks down fats, protease breaks down
protein). Unlike certain vitamins, minerals and
herbs, there is no upper limit (or threshold) to
the amount of supplemental enzymes that can be
consumed. The reason for this is that the body has
an estimated 100 trillion cells. Any one of those
cells could be using thousands of different enzymes
every second. This allows for huge quantities to be
used by the body without overdosing.
DO SUPPLEMENTAL ENZYMES STOP THE BODY
FROM PRODUCING ITS OWN ENZYMES? WHAT
ABOUT BECOMING DEPENDENT ON ENZYMES?
Supplemental enzymes support normal body organ
function without replacing its effective working
ability. We like to compare it to a raw food diet that
is rich in enzymes. No one suggests eating raw food
would inhibit the body’s natural production of
digestive enzymes. The fact is the body will
continue to manufacture the enzymes needed to
benefit from food; supplemental digestive enzymes
simply aid the digestive process.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
“Enzymedica has formulated
products specifically for children,
adults, and even pets.”
ARE ENZYME SUPPLEMENTS SAFE TO
CONSUME WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
(CONTRAINDICATED)?
We believe our supplemental enzymes, as they are
naturally occurring in nature, are among the
safest nutritional supplements available. With a lack
of conclusive scientific evidence, we recommend
consulting a physician before combining or
replacing prescription drugs with supplemental
enzyme products.
ARE THESE PRODUCTS SAFE FOR EVERYONE?
Enzymedica has formulated products specifically
for children, adults, and even pets. In addition,
Enzymedica’s Digest can be taken by both children
and adults. Because of its unique herbal blend, Acid
Soothe may not be appropriate for the special
nutritional considerations of new and expecting
mothers. Until more research is completed, we do
not recommend Acid Soothe for pregnant or lactating mothers or children under three years of age.
WHY ARE PLANT-BASED ENZYMES
CONSIDERED THE IDEAL ENZYME SOURCE?
Approximately 80% of the enzyme supplements
sold in health food stores today are plant-based.
The other 20% is made up of glandular/animalbased (such as pancreatin, trypsin and
chymotrypsin), and plant (bromelain and papain).
It is important to understand that the assays used
to measure activities of each of these ingredients
are different. Do not try to compare the active units
(the measurement used to determine how much
protein, fat or carbohydrates an enzyme can break
down in a matter of minutes) of a plant or glandular enzyme with a plant based enzyme. Specific
assays are designed to test for different sources of
enzymes.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN READING
LABELS?
Avoid fillers such as magnesium stearate, apple
pectin and rice starch. Looking at the label of a high
quality enzyme product, you will find measurement units you may not be familiar with. With most
supplements, we are used to comparing products
based on weight. However, with enzymes we are
interested in the activity and potency
available. It is important to recognize that there is
no direct relationship between weight and enzyme
activity.
Typical units of measurement include testing
methods established by the Food Chemical Codex
(FCC). The FCC is published by the National Academy Press and is the accepted standard of the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration. The system for
determining enzyme potency used by the American
food industry is derived from the FCC. This is the
only National Standard for evaluation of
plant-based enzymes. This system establishes activity levels and potency for enzymes. Where FCC
testing methods do not apply, validated industry
based assays are used for laboratory analysis.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR EVALUATION OF
PLANT & PLANT-BASED ENZYMES
formulated to perform in a wide pH range including
acidic and alkaline environments.
When comparing enzyme products make sure
enzyme activities are measured using units such as
these:
WHY DO NONE OF YOUR PRODUCTS CONTAIN
HCl (HYDROCHLORIC ACID)?
1. Alpha-Galactosidase - GALU (Galactosidase
Units)
Enzymedica developed a Thera-blend™ process for
four main types of enzymes—protease, amylase,
lipase and cellulase. Thera-blending allows these
enzymes to work across the board in the pH range
of 2-12. Whether the person is acidic or alkaline,
every range of the human body with or without HCl,
Thera-blend™ enzymes are active.
2. Amylase - DU (Dextrinizing Units)
3. Bromelain - GDU (Gelatin Digesting Units) or
FCCPU
4. Catalase - Baker Units (Named after the Author)
5. Cellulase - CU (Cellulase Unit)
6. Glucoamylase - AGU (Amyloglucosidase Units)
7. Hemicellulase - HCU (Hemicellulase Units)
8. Invertase - INVU (Invertase Activity Unit) or SU
(Sumner Units)
9. Lactase - ALU (Acid Lactase Unit)
10. Lipase - FCCFIP (Federation Internationale
Pharmceutique)
WHICH ENZYMEDICA PRODUCTS ARE BEST
FOR HEARTBURN OR ACID REFLUX?
A combination of a digestive enzyme before the
meal (typically Digest™) and Acid Soothe™
(in capsules or chewable) after the meal to soothe
symptoms associated with acid reflux (heartburn).*
Acid Soothe may also be taken as needed.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
11. Maltase - DP (Degrees of Diastatic Power)
12. Nattokinase - FU (Fibrinolytic Units)
13. Pectinase - Endo-PGU (Endo-Polygalacturonase
units)
14. Phytase - FTU (Phytase Units)
15. Protease - HUT (Hemoglobin Unit on a
L-Tyrosine basis)
16. Xylanase - XU (Xylanase Units)
ARE ENZYMEDICA’S PRODUCTS ORGANIC
(OR CERTIFIED ORGANIC)?
Enzymedica takes great pride in producing safe
and effective high quality supplemental enzyme
products. Our enzymes come from organic sources
that have not come into contact with any pesticides
or preservatives however, they are not considered
“certified organic.”
ARE SUPPLEMENTAL ENZYMES DESTROYED
BY STOMACH ACID?
Plant based enzymes tolerate stomach acid well. Enzymedica’s Thera-blend™ plant based enzymes were
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2011.10.05