Posts Tagged ‘Enzymes’
Whats all the Fuss about Enzymes?
Monday, December 22nd, 2008
Q : I’ve heard digestives enzymes are great to take over the party season. But what do they do and where can you get them?
A : Digestive Enzymes assist the body in the chemical breakdown of food. The human body makes approximately 22 different enzymes. Different enzymes with different functions are produced in particular areas of the digestive tract from the mouth, to the stomach to the small intestine.
When our body does not produce enough enzymes ‘incomplete digestion’ can occur. This can contribute to many ailments including flatulence, bloating, belching, food allergies, nausea, bad breath, bowel problems and stomach disorders.
Our bodies make the digestive enzymes and substances:
The Mouth is the first stage of the digestive process. It is where the enzyme amylase is produced and breaks starch (carbohydrates) into smaller sugars.
The stomach digests protein and aids mineral absorption. Gastric acid (hydrochloric acid) along with pepsin break protein down into amino acids. A deficiency can lead to malabsorption and symptoms such as bloating, belching, flatulence, nausea, a sense of fullness immediately after meals, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, food allergies, anaemia (Folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron will not be absorbed if there is too little acid), undigested food in stool, chronic intestinal infections, abnormal flora and weak, peeling and cracked fingernails.
The small intestine receives secretions from the pancreas, liver and gallbladder. This is important for the absorption of minerals, vitamins, protein and carbohydrates.
Rushing your meals or over-indulgence during the Festive season can place a considerable load on our digestive systems, so supplementing with digestive enzymes can help reduce this burden !
However, you must NEVER take digestive enzymes that contain hydrochloric acid and pepsin if you suffer from stomach ulcers, helicobacter pylori stomach infection or suffer from too much stomach acid.
It is rather difficult to determine one’s stomach acid levels without invasive procedures but a golden rule is STOP if you feel heartburn or gastric reflux after taking digestive enzymes. Another substitute is to take plant based enzymes (although weaker) Bromelain and Papain extract naturally assist the body’s digestive processes.
Check your local healthstore out for your Festive supply of enzymes, click here to see ICIM Medics supply or for further information on digestion contact the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on 045 844 819
