digestive enzymes Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Improve Your Gut Health With These 9 Simple Strategies

The AHA! Team — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 18:26:46 +0000

Dena Schmidt via NaturalHealth365 – News about the importance of gut health and probiotics linked to overall health has been circulating quite a bit lately. In fact, even conventionally trained doctors are waking up to the importance of maintaining a healthy gut. Of course, it’s understandable because digestive health is the key to every aspect of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Ultimately, if we ignore our digestion, we’ll eventually pay the unwanted price of poor health. Thankfully, there are several positive steps we can take to support a healthy gut microbiome. In doing so, we will absorb nutrients better, help keep the immune system strong, and enjoy a much better mental/emotional outlook on life. Transform your gut health with 9 essential steps for optimal wellness 1. Digestive enzymes Digestive enzymes assist in breaking down food, reducing inflammation, and regulating immune responses that could otherwise damage tissues. Taking high-quality enzyme supplements with meals can help to address deficits, support digestive health, and optimize nutrition. If you can’t afford this option, at the very least, everyone would benefit from chewing food more to help with digestion. If you’re unsure about your supplement options – consult a trusted holistic healthcare provider or health coach with experience in nutritional counseling. 2. Eat more raw fruits and vegetables Assuming your digestive system can tolerate this, you should be eating more organic fruits and vegetables. By the way, when you these kind of foods (more), you will help to create an ideal balance of digestive enzymes in the gut. While all fruits and veggies contain enzymes, those with the most beneficial effects include spinach, apples, pineapples, carrots, avocados, grapefruits, and tomatoes. If you’re not used to eating this way – start off with smaller amounts and work your way up in volume. 3. Probiotics for better gut health Naturally occurring gut bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, play crucial roles in maintaining our health. These beneficial bacteria enhance the functioning of the intestinal barrier, making it more effective at preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream. They help suppress a range of pathogens, including viruses, yeasts, and molds, thereby reducing the risk of infections and illnesses. Friendly gut bacteria also significantly strengthen the immune system. By interacting with the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), they help modulate immune responses and promote a balanced immune system, which is essential for defending against diseases while preventing excessive inflammatory reactions. 4. Add fiber to your diet – daily Fiber is essential for healthy digestion and proper intestinal function. In addition to promoting regular bowel movements, fiber supports a healthy gut microbiome and enhances your body’s detoxification pathways. Including a variety of fiber-rich foods in your daily diet can help maintain digestive health, balance gut bacteria, and assist in the removal of toxins from your body. Aim to incorporate both soluble and insoluble fiber sources, such as organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, to ensure comprehensive support for your digestive system. 5. Get physical – but don’t overdo it Regular, moderate exercise improves circulation and helps to move toxins out of the body. It also assists with regular bowel movements and oxygenating the blood and cells. No doubt, walking is the best form of aerobic exercise and offers all the benefits of lower blood pressure, greater heart health, and a wonderful sense of reduced stress in your life – at the end of every walk. (20 – 60 minutes/day is best, and if you’re new to exercise, increase your efforts slowly each week) 6. Drink clean, pure water every day Drinking plenty of fresh, clean (purified) water throughout the day will keep every cell in your body healthy and strong. Staying well-hydrated helps rid the body of toxins and improves cellular performance. Note: if you or someone you love is feeling constipated – this is a major health tip: drink more water! Generally speaking, drinking half your body weight in ounces of water is a good place to start. For example, if your body weight is 120 pounds – drink about 60 ounces/day. (At first, this will seem impossible – but, eventually, it’s easy) 7. Eat fermented foods Fermented foods allow you to naturally incorporate key enzymes and probiotics into your diet. Just a small quantity per day can go a long way toward improving your health. Some examples of healthy fermented foods include pickled vegetables, raw sauerkraut, miso soup, tempeh, yogurt, kefir, and kombucha. 8. Chew your food 25 times per mouthful or more This simple step allows you to assist your digestive system in doing its job and improving gut health along the way. The less work your digestive system has to do in terms of breaking food down, the more efficient it can be. There are also the added mental and emotional benefits of chewing your food. In fact, here’s a challenge for you: If you chew your food 50-100 times (for every mouthful of food), you will notice a greater sense of calm than ever before. 9. Be warned: Antibiotics can destroy your gut health Antibiotics have been connected with permanent changes in the microflora of people through generations of families, promoting the transmission of deadly organisms and difficulty in recolonization by beneficial bacteria. Do not overuse antibiotics; if possible, don’t use them at all. Instead, favor natural ways to treat infection and boost the immune system. For instance, garlic, oregano oil, and vitamin C can help neutralize toxins, unfriendly bacteria, and viruses. Bottom line: Gut health status is strongly linked to immune system strength, the ability to absorb (or not) nutrients from the food we eat, and many other essential bodily functions, such as cellular repair and detoxification. These nine steps outlined in this special report will give you a great place to start if you’re looking to improve the quality of your life. Enjoy! Sources for this article include: NIH.gov NYTimes.com LifeExtension.com ChrisKresser.com To read the original article click here.

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Is Flatulence Good for You? (Does It Depend on the Smell?)

The AHA! Team — Mon, 13 May 2024 08:00:18 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Most of us have been there: experiencing excessive farting that feels out of our control and causes a whole heck of a lot of embarrassment. While the average person farts nearly every day, some people deal with a bloated stomach and excessive flatulence more often than others. One of the most aggravating things about having gas is that it can seem impossible to minimize and to narrow down the exact culprit, considering dozens of different things can potentially be to blame. As you’ve probably experienced firsthand many times, some farts can be pretty foul-smelling and noisy, while others easily slip below the radar. Wondering how much farting is too much? A mostly healthy person might pass gas 14–18 times per day, sometimes not even realizing it because the farts are mostly silent and odorless. A mostly healthy person might pass gas 14–18 times per day Rather than how often you fart, however, you might want to take a look at the smelliness of your flatulence and to examine other digestive symptoms present in order to determine if it’s really become a problem. Is there likely anything to be worried about when it comes to your gas? Yes and no. Some flatulence is normal, especially when eating a whole foods, high-fiber diet — but excessive gas coupled with other symptoms can be a sign that something inside is going wrong, especially when it comes to digestion of certain foods. Too much farting can be a warning sign that normal intestinal gas dynamics have become compromised. This might result in subtle dysfunctions in intestinal motility, bacteria growth or changes in the microbiome composition taking place. Keep reading to learn more about flatulence and when you should and should not be concerned about your farts. What Is Flatulence? What is a fart exactly? A fart, also called gas, “passing wind” or flatulence, is caused by the internal buildup of gases that are formed during the process of digestion and respiration. The causes of farts, and how they develop within the digestive tract vary considerably depending on the person and circumstance. The main type of gas that gets trapped inside the body and leads to flatulence is nitrogen, which researchers estimate accounts for about 20 percent to 90 percent of all the gas that causes farts. Followed by nitrogen, carbon dioxide also contributes to the gaseous volume of farts (about 10 percent to 30 percent) along with oxygen (up to 10 percent), methane (around 10 percent) and hydrogen (about 10 percent to 50 percent). Methane and hydrogen are actually both flammable gases — which explains why you might have seen some cartoon characters light their farts with a flame when you were a kid. The combination of gases described above usually causes a smell because some contain sulfur, the same smelly compound found in foods like eggs or cruciferous vegetables. Why is there such a range in the percentages of gases within a fart and the level of smelliness, depending on the specific person? This has to do with how much air is swallowed by someone in a typical day, the types of foods within someone’s diet, and also the internal chemical reactions taking place within the microbiome or intestines during digestion. The severity of smells associated with flatulence mostly has to do with the percentage of different gases present in the body at any given time. Surprisingly, most of the gas within a fart is odorless, and only a very small percent (around 1 percent) causes the signature foul smell of farts. The reason for stinkiness in general comes down to how much sulfurous gasses form within the intestines. Within a fart, several sulfur-related compounds develop that contribute to the intensity of the fart’s smell. These include: Hydrogen sulphide: This is the component of a fart that usually smells like rotten eggs. Not only does it smell unpleasant, but it’s also flammable and can be toxic when consumed in large amounts. The human body makes some of its own hydrogen sulphide, but interestingly, it’s also produced within the environment in things like swamps, sewage systems and certain types of explosive volcanic rock. Methanethiol: This is found naturally within the human body, mostly within the blood and brain. Ever open up your refrigerator and get a strong whiff of leftover veggies? Methanethiol has a strong smell similar to cruciferous veggies, including broccoli or cabbage. This same compound also contributes to other types of body odors, including bad breath. Dimethyl sulphide: Here’s another chemical compound that contributes to the smelliness of veggies. This is responsible for the smell produced when you cook things like Brussels sprouts. It’s present in foods along with methanethiol and created from the formation of certain bacteria. Causes You’re probably wondering what causes your gas accumulation, right? Excessive gas and gas pains can be attributed to all sorts of health problems, normal variations in hormonal levels that affect digestion (such as your menstrual cycle) or specific foods. While the triggers are somewhat different from person to person, the way that gas forms in the body is mostly the same. Within the body, gas travels down the same pathway in your digestive system as poop does. Eventually, accumulated gas makes its way to through your intestines and out of your colon, just like feces. Along the way, certain things can stop or interfere with the normal release of built-up gas, causing gas pains, bloating and indigestion. This unpleasant feeling is a sign that you’re having a hard time ridding your body of excess gas — possibly because certain foods in your diet are irritating your gut or digestive organs, causing side effects like bacteria growth or fermentation along the way. Bloating and gas usually go hand in hand because when a certain amount of gas is retained within the gut, people develop abdominal distension (a puffy belly) and various gassy symptoms. Just like farting, abdominal distension is related to the volume of gas within the gut and depends both on intestinal motor activity (gas is better tolerated when the gut and digestive muscles are relaxed) and the inner distribution of gas. Some of the reasons gas gets trapped inside the body abnormally include: Swallowing air (aerophagia): This involves inadvertently swallowing air that accumulates in the stomach and is then released by belching or farting. This process is triggered by changes in the muscles that control the intake of air, followed by repetitive and ineffective attempts of belching that causes air to be introduced into the stomach. One reason you might be swallowing air and farting as a consequence? You could be eating too fast and therefore not chewing your food properly. Gaseous odor accumulation: Smelly farts are usually the cause of gas produced by colonic bacteria during fermentation of unabsorbed food residues arriving into the colon. Changes in the microflora: Gas also depends on the composition of the colonic flora — in other words the type of bacteria living within the digestive system. We know that each person is different in terms of microbiome composition, which means inter-individual variations exist that might contribute to, or protect us from, excessive gas production and evacuation. Constipation: Impaired anal evacuation produces gas retention. Constipation also prolongs the fermentation process of foods in the digestive system, increasing internal gas production. Here’s the million-dollar question: Why do some farts make a noticeable sound, while others are “silent but deadly”? This has to do with the alignment of muscles within your colon or rectum. Certain muscles help control how quickly gas is released, either tightly keeping gases inside or allowing them to be released more quickly, which can cause a sound. Know someone who can “fart on demand”? That’s likely because that person’s sphincter muscles, the ones that control the gateway of gas and waste out of the body, are easily relaxed, which lets them release internal gases whenever they want to. Of course, diet has an effect on flatulence as well, and underlying conditions can contribute to gas and farting. Are Farts Bad for You (or Beneficial)? Farting is considered a normal reaction within the human body and something we all deal with at one time or another. Because it’s the act of releasing internal gas from the body, just like a burp or even breathing, it’s usually harmless and in fact needed for normal metabolic functions. Most of the time your farts are just inconvenient but not something to necessarily get riled up about. In fact, they might even be protective in some instances! That’s right — your farts might be a clue that your “gut bugs” are well-fed and working hard and that your diet is a mostly healthy one. Diets high in fiber-rich foods after all tend to cause gas, but they also feed good bacteria that make up your immune system and help protect you from various diseases, like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Aside from being a sign that you’re eating plenty of fiber, gases within your farts might even be beneficial. Farts contain hydrogen sulphide, a gas produced by certain natural bodily processes and needed as part of cellular functions. While I wouldn’t necessarily go smelling yours, or anyone else’s, farts just yet, it’s possible that inhaling hydrogen sulphide (yes, from your very own farts!) in small doses might help protect cells’ mitochondria and stop cellular damage at some level. On the other hand, excessive farting can be a sign that digestive processes are going amuck and that an underlying issue might be blame. Some underlying reasons for excessive gas accumulation can include: food sensitives or intolerances (see the list of common culprits below) fermentation of bacteria within the gut from eating FODMAP foods leaky gut syndrome or digestive disorders, including Crohn’s, celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome constipation SIBO (small intestinal bacteria overgrowth)/excessive bacteria in the small intestine. Normally food intermingles with digestive juices in the intestines and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream while waste is sent to the colon, but with SIBO, malabsorption occurs, particularly of fat-soluble vitamins and iron, leading to abnormal bacteria growth and gas. How do you know if your gas is something to actually be worried about? Check if you experience other warning signs at the same time as being very gassy. When you’re up against a lot of flatulence, look for other abnormal symptoms including: weakness or fatigue skin rashes, acne or hives signs of allergies, like watery eyes and itchy throat constipation or diarrhea blood in your stool or urine pain around your lymph nodes, including in your groin, throat or armpits changes in your body temperature, weight, sleep and menstrual cycle Natural Remedies If you find yourself repeatedly dealing with bad gas, the first thing to do is address your diet. You might be having trouble breaking down certain foods or experiencing an accumulation of sulfur, bacteria or yeast. The tendency for foods to cause excessive gas varies from person to person considerably, so it usually takes some trial and error to figure out what your biggest triggers are. That being said, there are some “common culprits” in the world of farting that are likely involved in your struggle. Some of the Worst Foods for Gas Beans: Perhaps more than any other food, beans are notorious for causing gas. That’s because they contain a type of carbohydrate called polysaccharides, which easily ferment once they enter the gut. The bacteria living in your gut thrive off of these carbohydrates, which causes fermentation and an increase in gas. Luckily you don’t have to avoid beans and legumes all together — soaking them overnight prior to cooking helps make them more digestible (the same applies to nuts, which are similar in terms of their carb content), which is good news considering they can provide plenty of nutrients and fiber. Dairy: Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem worldwide, although many people might be unaware that they cannot properly digest foods containing milk, cheese, yogurt or traces of...

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Do Digestive Enzymes Prevent Nutrient Deficiencies & Boost Gut Health?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 07:00:22 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – The phrase “you are what you eat” is halfway accurate. The real truth is: You are what you digest. Therefore, are digestive enzymes key to better digestion, gut health and nutrient absorption? Surprising as it may seem, up until relatively recently, little was known about how your digestive system actually works. Today, there’s a growing incidence of illnesses that, when traced back to the source, appear to be linked to nutrient malabsorption due to a lack of digestive enzymes. Why are enzymes for digestion important in avoiding illness? The role of digestive enzymes (DE) is primarily to act as catalysts in speeding up specific, life-preserving chemical reactions in the body. Essentially, they help break down larger molecules into more easily absorbed particles that the body can actually use to survive and thrive. What Are Digestive Enzymes? Digestive enzymes are definedas “enzymes that are used in the digestive system.” All enzymes are catalysts that enable molecules to be changed from one form into another. These enzymes help us digest foods by breaking down large macromolecules into smaller molecules that our guts are capable of absorbing, thus supporting gut health and making sure the nutrients are delivered to the body. Types: What are the main digestive enzymes? They are split into three main classes: proteolytic enzymes that are needed to metabolize proteins lipases needed to digest fats amylases needed to break down carbohydrates There are various types of DE found in humans, some of which include: Amylase — Found in saliva and pancreatic juice, works to turn large starch molecules into maltose. Needed to metabolize carbohydrates, starches and sugars, which are prevalent in basically all plant foods (potatoes, fruits, vegetables, grains, etc.). Pepsin — Which enzyme breaks down protein? Found in the gastric juice within your stomach, pepsin helps turn protein into smaller units called polypeptides. Lipase — Made by your pancreas and secreted into your small intestine. After mixing with bile, this turns fats and triglycerides into fatty acids. Needed to properly absorb foods like dairy products, nuts, oils, eggs and meat. Trypsin and chymotrypsin — These endopeptidases further break down polypeptides into even smaller pieces. Cellulase — Helps with digestion of high-fiber foods like broccoli, asparagus and beans, which can cause excessive gas. Exopeptidases, carboxypeptidase and aminopeptidase — Help release individual amino acids. Lactase — Turns sugar lactose into glucose and galactose. Sucrase — Cleaves the sugar sucrose into glucose and fructose. Maltase — Reduces the sugar maltose into smaller glucose molecules. Other enzymes that help with absorption of sugar/carbs include invertase, glucoamylase and alpha-galactosidase. How Do Digestive Enzymes Work? Digestion is a complex process that first begins when you chew food, which releases enzymes in your saliva. Most of the work happens thanks to gastrointestinal fluids that contain DEs, which act on certain nutrients (fats, carbs or proteins). We make specific DEs to help with absorption of different types of foods. In other words, we produce carbohydrate-specific, protein-specific and fat-specific enzymes. DEs aren’t just beneficial — they’re essential. They turn complex foods into absorbable compounds, including amino acids, fatty acids, cholesterol, simple sugars and nucleic acids (which help make DNA). They are synthesized and secreted in different parts of your digestive tract, including your mouth, stomach and pancreas. Below is an overview of the six-step digestive process, starting with chewing, that triggers DE secretion in your digestive tract: Salivary amylase released in the mouth is the first DE to assist in digestion of molecules, and that process continues after food enters the stomach. The parietal cells of the stomach are then triggered into releasing acids, pepsin and other enzymes, including gastric amylase, and the process of degrading the partially digested food into chyme (a semifluid mass of partly digested food) begins. Stomach acid also has the effect of neutralizing the salivary amylase, allowing gastric amylase to take over. After an hour or so, the chyme is propelled into the duodenum, where acidity triggers the release of the hormone secretin. That, in turn, notifies the pancreas to release hormones, bicarbonate, bile and numerous pancreatic enzymes, of which the most relevant are lipase, trypsin, amylase and nuclease. The bicarbonate changes the acidity of the chyme from acid to alkaline, which has the effect of not only allowing the enzymes to degrade food, but also killing bacteria that are not capable of surviving in the acid environment. At this point, for people without DE insufficiency (lack of digestive enzymes), most of the work is done. For others, supplementation is needed and helps this process along. This can even be true for pets, since there are several benefits of digestive enzymes for dogs, digestive enzymes for cats and for other animals too. Who Needs Them? (Signs of Deficiency) The answer to the increasingly asked question — “Who should take digestive enzymes?” — may ultimately turn out to be many more people than you might expect. People who experience symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain and fatigue due to undigested foods may benefit from a DE supplement. Other signs that you might lack DEs include: Acid reflux Dyspepsia (pain or an uncomfortable feeling in the upper middle part of your stomach area) Cravings for certain foods Thyroid problems Heartburn, indigestion or burping Hair that is thinning or falling out Dry or lackluster skin Trouble concentrating or brain fog Morning fatigue Trouble sleeping well Arthritis or joint pain Muscle weakness or feeling too tired to exercise Mood swings, depression or irritability Headaches or migraines Worsened PMS People with the following health conditions can likely experience some relief from taking a DE supplement: 1. Digestive Diseases If you have any type of digestive disease — such as acid reflux, gas, bloating, leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, malabsorption, diarrhea or constipation — then DEs may be able to help. They can help take stress off of the digestive organs and decrease symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating that are associated with gastrointestinal disease. 2. Age-Related Enzyme Insufficiency As we age, the acidity of our stomach acid becomes more alkaline, and this can prevent enough pancreatic secretions from being released. Concurrent illnesses aside, as we age there’s increasing suspicion that digestive problems may result from either low stomach acid or DE insufficiency, which are thought to be common causes of acid reflux. 3. Hypochlorhydria Hypochlorhydria (having too little stomach acid) makes it hard for minerals, vitamins and nutrients to be “cleaved” or released from food while in the GI tract, and if this action fails, then nutritional insufficiency is usually the result. 4. Liver Disease and Other Enzyme-Related Illnesses Anyone with liver disease should be suspected as having a concurrent enzyme insufficiency. One of the more common conditions is known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic disorder that affects roughly one in 1,500 people worldwide. Symptoms that may be experienced include unintentional weight loss, recurring respiratory infections, fatigue and rapid heartbeats. There illnesses (that may at first diagnosis appear unrelated to low DE production) include: Crohn’s disease Iron deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency Vitamin D deficiency Other symptomatic indicators of enzymatic insufficiency are: Stool changes — If the stool is pale and floats in the toilet bowl or if it’s greasy or fatty. Gastrointestinal complaints — Stomach distention and diarrhea, especially around an hour after eating. Flatulence and indigestion are also indicative. 5. Pancreatic Insufficiency Pancreatic insufficiency is the inability of the pancreas to secrete the enzymes needed for digestion. This is a common problem among people with pancreatic cancer. Prescription pancreatic enzyme products (also called called replacement therapy) may be used in patients with pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and after surgery on the gut to help promote healing. Best Natural Sources (Foods) Many raw plants, such as raw fruits and vegetables, contain enzymes that aid in their digestion. Raw fruits and vegetables grown in nutrient-rich soils are the best natural sources of DEs, so make sure to buy more of these when you shop for groceries: Pineapple Papaya Kiwi Kefir and yogurt Bananas Mango Miso, soy sauce and tempeh (fermented soy products) Sauerkraut and kimchi Avocado Bee pollen Apple cider vinegar Raw honey Digestive enzyme supplements are derived mostly from three sources: Fruit-sourced — usually pineapple– or papaya-based. Bromelain is an enzyme derived from pineapple that breaks down a broad spectrum of proteins, has anti-inflammatory properties and can withstand a broad pH (acidic/alkaline) range. Papain is another enzyme that’s derived from raw papaya and works well to support the breakdown of small and large proteins. Animal-sourced — including pancreatin sourced from ox or hog. Plant-sourced — derived from probiotics, yeast and fungi. Supplements Because proteins, sugars, starches and fats all require specific types of enzymes, it’s best to take a supplement that covers all the bases. Many experts feel that the best digestive enzymes in supplement form are those that contain a full-spectrum blend intended for general digestive improvement. Look for a supplement that includes a variety of enzymes, including some of the following (price may vary depending on the supplement you purchase): Alpha-galactosidase (this is the enzyme found in Beano®, derived from Aspergillus niger, which is said to help with carbohydrate digestion) Amylase (produced by the salivary glands) Cellulase Glucoamylase Invertase Lactase Lipase Malt diastase Protease (or acid proteases) Peptidase Beta-glucanase Pectinase Phytase Here are some tips for purchasing DEs based on your symptoms and current health: If you have gallbladder issues and are looking for a gallbladder natural treatment, purchase one with more lipase and bile salts. Where you see betaine HCL listed as a product ingredient, make sure pepsin is also included. Others contain lactase, which until recently was only available as an individual product. This enzyme is designed to assist those with specific issues relating to sugar absorption from dairy products. Consider a supplement that contains protease, which helps with protein digestion, if you have an autoimmune or inflammatory condition. Choose a blend with herbs, such as peppermint and ginger, that also support digestion. Also, because some people need more pancreatic enzymes than others, you need to bear in mind the level of each is dependent on your needs. Most products contain some level of pancreatin, which is a combination of all three pancreatic enzymes. Are vegan DE supplements available? Some products contain only plant-based enzymes, which are aimed at vegetarians and vegans. These usually at least contain bromelain derived from the pineapple, and many include papain enzyme from the papaya. Products designed specifically for vegans usually contain pancreatin derived from Aspergillus niger. This is a fungus-based, fermented product rather than an enzyme sourced from ox or hog bile, which is the usual source. In addition, some have complementary herbs and spices. Amla (gooseberry) extract — which isn’t an enzyme, but an herbal remedy from Ayurveda medicine taken for general well-being — is often included. It’s believed to work in synergy with the other compounds. When should you take digestive enzymes? For optimal results, take DEs about 10 minutes before each meal or with your first bite. Protease supplements can be taken in between meals in addition to DEs with meals. Start by taking enzymes with about two meals per day, and adjust your dosage as needed as the days move on. Can you take probiotics and digestive enzymes at the same time? Yes. Take enzymes before a meal and probiotics after or between. It’s also beneficial to get probiotics from fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi or sauerkraut. Probiotics can help restore balance to the gut microbiome and further aid in digestion, while also curbing symptoms like gas and bloating. Benefits Why are digestive enzymes good for you? Mostly because they help us digest foods. The main reasons why many people should take digestive enzymes are to: Help treat leaky gut and other conditions like celiac disease by taking stress off the gastrointestinal tract. Support a healthy balance of bacteria and microbes in the gut. Assist the body in absorbing difficult-to-digest protein and sugars like gluten, casein and lactose (milk sugar). Greatly improve symptoms of acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome. Enhance nutrition absorption and preventing deficiencies. Counteract enzyme inhibitors naturally in foods like peanuts, wheat germ, egg whites, nuts, seeds, beans and potatoes. You might be wondering, do...

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Digestive Enzymes Offer POWERFUL Benefits to Improve Digestive Health

AHA Publisher — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 07:00:21 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – If you frequently experience bloating and flatulence (gas), and the physical and … ahem… social discomfort that can ensue, you may be wondering if digestive enzymes could help. You’re definitely not alone. The use of over-the-counter digestive enzymes is growing by leaps and bounds, with some experts predicting that the global market for these supplements will balloon to a shocking $1 billion industry by the year 2025. While digestive enzymes – proteins that help break down and absorb nutrients from food – are created naturally in the body, sometimes the supply is outstripped by the body’s demands. The result is digestive discomfort. (This is often the case when certain foods, such as beans, legumes, and dairy products, are consumed, and the body lacks the proper enzymes to digest them). For a closer look at the “nuts and bolts” of supplementary digestive enzymes – and a reviewfrom the Mayo Clinic – keep reading. Here Is What You Need to Know About How Digestive Enzymes Perform Their Incredible Functions There are three primary types of digestive enzymes – proteases, lipases, and amylases. Proteases, or proteolytic enzymes, break down protein into small peptides and amino acids. At the same time, lipases work with liver bile to break down fats into fatty acids (plus a molecule called glycerol). As you can imagine, lipases are particularly necessary for your body to access essential fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin D, E, A, and K. Finally, the amylase family of enzymes breaks down carbohydrates – such as starch – into simple sugars. Although the lion’s share of digestive enzymes is produced in the pancreas, the mouth, salivary glands, stomach, and small intestine get in on the act too. Once the enzymes have done their work and the food is broken down, the nutrients are absorbed through the small intestine wall and then distributed throughout the bloodstream. There are also a host of specialized digestive enzymes such as cellulase, which breaks down fiber, and lactase, which breaks down milk into milk sugars. Similarly, maltase, a type of amylase, breaks down maltose – or malt sugar – into simple sugars, while alpha-galactosidase can help break down sugars in vegetables. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Formulations Both Have Their Place Sometimes, shortages in digestive enzymes result from specific and serious problems, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts, and pancreatic cancer. These deficiencies can cause malnutrition, shortage of essential vitamins, and severe gastrointestinal issues – and should be managed by a physician, who will often advise prescription digestive enzymes. But, for routine bloating and flatulence that follow the ingestion of certain foods, over-the-counter supplements may be the way to go. For example, researchers and natural health experts have gone “all in” on the incredible disease-fighting and health-preserving effects of cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale. Their cancer-fighting isothiocyanates and their healthy cargo of fiber, carotenoids, and polyphenols make them a true boon to health. But, they can be notoriously hard to digest. You could choose to simply avoid these superfoods, but another solution may be available. The answer could be as simple as taking alpha-galactosidase supplements, commonly sold under the brand name Beano. These enzymes excel at breaking down cruciferous vegetables and legumes. Another common problem is a deficiency in lactase, which is designed to break down lactose or milk sugar. This enzyme may offer relief to lactose-intolerant individuals who would otherwise suffer from cramping, nausea, and diarrhea after ingesting cows’ milk. These Useful Proteins Can Join Forces With Probiotics and Proper Nutrition for Better Digestive Health Not only do proponents of digestive enzymes say that these supplements can relieve digestive discomfort – but they also believe they may help probiotic and prebiotic interventions be more effective. Does this mean that probiotics and digestive enzymes are the same? Not exactly. Probiotics are live organisms that promote the health of beneficial bacteria in the gut, while digestive enzymes actively help the body digest proteins, fats, and carbs. However, the benefits and functions of digestive enzymes and probiotics can overlap, as the appropriate probiotics can replenish gut bacteria to help break down fiber and restore normal digestive function. In addition, it turns out that certain dietary choices are naturally high in digestive enzymes. These include raw papayas and pineapple, which contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and proteolytic digestive enzymes known as papain and bromelain. And, avocados have the advantage of not only contributing healthy monounsaturated fats to the diet but also contain lipases, which help turn fats into fatty acids – and are particularly useful after a high-fat meal. (So much for the outdated belief that avocados, themselves, are a “fattening” food. They are anything but!) Other enzyme-rich foods include bananas (which contain amylases and glucosidases), raw honey (which contains amylases and proteases), ripe mangoes, and unpasteurized sauerkraut – which has the added advantage of being probiotic. As always, it’s best to seek out non-GMO, organic fare. A Wealth of Digestive Enzymes Exist, Many Tailored to Specific Uses Over-the-counter enzyme supplements are made from animal pancreases or assorted molds, yeast, bacteria, fungi, and fruit. They are available in a wide variety of combinations and formulations. Some even contain prebiotic ingredients – such as inulin – and probiotics specifically added to enrich gut bacteria in the microbiome. (Tip: for maximum benefit, look for strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. plantarum, and L. salivarius). In addition, some digestive enzyme products contain time-honored carminatives (gas relievers) such as fennel, ginger, turmeric, and peppermint. Natural health experts advise seeking out digestive enzymes free of wheat, gluten, egg, peanuts, magnesium stearate, hydrogenated fats, artificial sweeteners, and dyes. Tip: when possible, opt for products that have been certified by the Natural Products Association or USP Quality Supplements. For best results, digestive enzymes should be taken before meals. Of course, check with your knowledgeable integrative doctor before supplementing, as digestive enzymes can interact with certain medications. In a review published in Proceedings of the Mayo Clinic, the authors noted that the use of enzyme supplements seems to be increasing. Not only that, but “emerging clinical data seem to support many of (digestive enzymes’) purported benefits.” While more study is needed, it seems clear that digestive enzymes are emerging at the forefront of the field of improved digestive health. Editor’s note: I highly recommend the digestive enzymes from LuvByNature. I use them every day and really enjoy the taste of the chewable tablets. Click here to learn more. Sources for this article include: VeryWellHealth.com Healthline.com Healthline.com Healthline.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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5 Surprisingly Simple Tricks to Eradicate Acid Reflux

AHA Publisher — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 07:00:44 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Are you one of the millions of people suffering from acid reflux? Statistics show that around 50% of Americans will suffer the symptoms of this unfortunate condition! That means the likelihood of you or your family being affected is really high. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 5 all-natural remedies for acid reflux. But first… What Is Acid Reflux? Acid reflux is a result of stomach acid that has made it’s way up into the esophagus. This part of the body is not designed to have contact with the powerful acid of the stomach and prolonged exposure can lead to damage of the tissue of the esophagus. Interestingly, acid reflux is not always caused by too much stomach acid, but can also result from the body not producing enough stomach acid and/or digestive enzymes. Poor dietary choices, over eating, quickly eating, or eating in a stressed state can all contribute to acid reflux. These activities can cause an excess of acid production which may then lead to acid finding its way into the esophagus. Symptoms Of Acid Reflux Acid reflux can cause a myriad of symptoms including heartburn, bloating, nausea, and indigestion. Symptoms can be triggered by eating fried foods, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, spicy food, onions, garlic, citrus, soda, and tomatoes. The chances are that you or a loved one will be dealing with acid reflux at some point in your life. Many people use antacids or other medications to help alleviate the symptoms but these treatments can often have unwanted side effects and don’t always actually treat the underlying cause of the condition. So before you pay for expensive and often counterproductive medications first try these 5 easy and natural acid reflux remedies: Chew Your Food By eating mindfully and chewing each bite of food at least 30 times, not only is the act of masticating mechanically breaking down the food, but this also allows the enzymes of the saliva to begin to digest your food before swallowing. Plus, this gives the stomach adequate time to gauge the proper amount of acid that needs to be produced. Be sure to eat in a relaxed state without too much distraction. When we are relaxed, the nervous system to comes in to parasympathetic dominance which is considered the “rest and digest” state. This will allow your body to utilize adequate resources for the digestion and assimilation of your meal. Apple Cider Vinegar Mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 6-8 oz of filtered or spring water. Drink this mixture 10-30 minutes before your meal to help create an environment in the stomach conducive to healthy digestion and balanced stomach acid production. The vinegar will help curb overproduction of acid or will stimulate acid in the case of underproduction. Ginger Ginger root can be used as a delicious appetizer to help prepare your stomach for digestion by stimulating the production of stomach acid, enzymes, and bile. Take a small slice of ginger root and marinate it in a bit of lime juice. Top it off with a dash of mineral rich celtic, himalayan, or aztec sea salt. The salt contains chloride which will help stimulate production of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid). Allow the ginger to marinate in this mixture for 1-2 hours. Consume the marinated ginger 10 to 30 minutes before your meal for best results. Probiotics The balance of bacteria in our digestive tract is critical to the efficiency of our digestion. By adding a small amount of fermented food such a sauerkraut, kimchi, grass-fed yogurt or kefir, raw grass-fed cheese, or kombucha, you introduce a high number of beneficial bacteria, yeasts, and enzymes that help regulate digestion and balance stomach acid production. Additionally, you can supplement probiotics in a capsule or powder form. Digestive Enzymes When the pancreas is not producing adequate digestive enzymes or if the pancreatic ducts are congested and the enzymes can not make their way to the stomach then the food you eat is not broken down entirely and can irritate the stomach causing acid reflux. Raw living foods have naturally occurring enzymes that are wiped out by the cooking of food. To get around this issue you can use a high quality digestive enzyme supplement before meals can help supplement the digestive process allowing your food to digest easier and prevent the overproduction of stomach acid. It is important to only use digestive enzymes intermittently because the goal is to boost your body’s own innate ability to produce enzymes so you are not overly reliant on a supplement. Digest Like The Best! These 5 simple tricks can support your body’s balanced production of stomach acid and dramatically reduce the likelihood of experiencing acid reflux. These all natural and effective remedies produce results without turning to Dr. Don Colbert has formulated a highly efficacious supplement called Fermented Green Supremefood. This collection of fermented grasses and vegetables comes packed with beneficial probiotics, enzymes, and fiber which all help to regulate digestion and alleviate acid reflux. References http://articles.mercola.com/home-remedies-heartburn-acid-reflux-ulcer.aspx http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/home-remedies-for-acid-reflux/ https://draxe.com/acid-reflux-symptoms/ http://lifespa.com/cool-your-digestion/# To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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