Digestive Enzymes

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Permalink Reply by Raw by Default on December 11, 2007 at 5:28pm

I used enzymes from Houston Neutraceuticals for a while. Some were supposed to help in the digestion of things like wheat gluten (to which I am sensitive), but those ones made little difference. I had a little bit of luck with taking enzymes for cooked potatoes and tomatoes, which would cause gastrointestinal problems for me, but it was annoying to have to pop a handful of pills every time I wanted to eat something. Even then, sometimes the handful of enzymes wasn't enough!

In my opinion, getting the enzymes from the raw food is better than cooking the food, killing the enzymes, and then adding them back in artificially. In my case, I can even eat the raw versions of foods that I needed enzymes for when they were cooked. This tells me that, while taking enzymes before eating cooked foods may be helpful, the quality and efficacy of the bottled enzymes isn't as good as what nature gives us in raw foods.

Hope this helped!

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Davidson on December 11, 2007 at 5:34pm

Thank you...

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Permalink Reply by Makaranda...=) on December 11, 2007 at 6:42pm

I think enzymes are good to take particularily at first because a lot of people can't digest all of the greens at first. I had a dream about a pineapple last night so I took that as I needed the enzymes in it. Bromelain is also good for inflammation like arthritis. If you are trying not to eat fruit because you are wanting to be low glycemic or wanting to eliminate candida then the supplements are better than the fruit.

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Permalink Reply by Ian on December 11, 2007 at 7:19pm

Yes, this is true ... greens are tough to digest because cellulose needs an enzyme called cellulase to break it down, something the human body does not produce. One recommendation by Victoria Boutenko in Green For Life is to make "green smoothies" by mixing the likes of spinach/kale/chard etc. with fruit such as berries/mango/banana for ease of adoption of taste.

By placing the greens through the blender, this breaks down the cellulose, thus making the enzyme cellulase unnecessary for absorption.

My personal favorite recipe:

2 cups water
2 handfuls of spinach
1 capful vanilla extract
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 mango
1 banana

blend until smooth :-)

Ian

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Davidson on December 11, 2007 at 10:59pm

Great info! If you do not mind I am goign to post this recipe in a group I just started....

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Permalink Reply by Ian on December 12, 2007 at 4:59pm

I don't mind. I should have mentioned that blue agave is also used, but it is only optional.

:-)

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Davidson on December 12, 2007 at 6:30pm

Thanks! I bought the ingredients today, so what to do with the Agave? I actually have some. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Ian on December 12, 2007 at 10:27pm

I only use a very little bit, maybe just a tad more than the vanilla extract. The rest of the flavors take care of themselves.

I modeled this recipe after a concoction at Tropical Smoothie called the "Healthy Man" (don't know if they carry this anymore). I use greens instead of protein powder and agave instead of turbinado. The rest is quite the feast!

Let me know how it turns out.

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Permalink Reply by RawDaddy on December 11, 2007 at 6:42pm

I use these as well. They seem to work well. I have used the Beauty Enzymes from Sun Nutrition, and those worked well. I'm not an expert, and would greatly appreciate some advice on enzyme technology.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Davidson on December 11, 2007 at 7:05pm

Found this article on Enzymes----a lady friend of mine, who is also a Breast Cancer Survivor, swears by this Brenda Watson woman!!!! She watches her on television from time to time.....


FREE INFORMATION


Enzyme Supplements Promote Healthy Digestion
by: Brenda Watson


Remember all those times mom told you to chew your food? She was on to something. Beneficial enzymes released by your salivary glands jumpstart the digestive process, which in turn facilitates the breakdown of food and the subsequent transfer of nutrients, water and electrolytes from the digestive tract to the bloodstream.

The chemical processes of digestion begin with reducing food’s larger constituents to smaller and smaller molecules. Within this procedure, enzymes catalyze the chemical reactions, making it possible for food to be digested and absorbed. Each type of food we eat contains different combinations of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, as well as vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. The end result of the digestive process is that those nutrients are broken down into forms usable by the body’s cells. For example, when proteins from meat or vegetarian foods are digested, they are broken down into amino acids, which are subsequently used to build the proteins incorporated into organs and body tissues.

Further, because unhealthy eating habits can lead to a buildup of harmful toxins in the body (which can subsequently lead to weight gain and poor health), adding a daily enzyme supplement to your diet may also help rid the body of toxic chemicals. Many experts believe that taking supplementary enzymes to aid digestion enables the body to devote more time to producing the enzymes that help eliminate toxins.

When choosing a digestive enzyme supplement, look for a formula that combines several different enzymes such as lipase (to help digest fats), amylase (for carbohydrates), and protease (for proteins), as this combination more closely mimics natural enzyme activity. If you have a particular digestive problem, however, individual enzymes can provide targeted support. For example, those who are lactose intolerant may benefit from supplementing with lactase, the enzyme that helps break down milk sugar.

Proteolytic enzymes, which help break down protein, are now available from the kiwi fruit (kiwi protease), pineapple (bromelain) and papaya (papain). Research shows that these enzymes help the body break down protein, casein, and gluten. Digestive enzymes are also effective in the fight against inflammation.

Plant-based enzymes are gaining popularity as people discover their potential to help promote healthy digestion. The main advantage of these supplements is their versatility: although each person’s digestive system varies in its acidity and alkalinity, plant enzymes are equally effective in both types of environments.

But the bottom line is simple: Supplementing with digestive enzymes relieves the body of some of the burden of creating these chemicals, giving it the opportunity to invest more energy in making other types of enzymes, such as those used for detoxification. Doing so can also release energy to repair damaged tissue and slow the aging process, offering our bodies a valuable defense against the many stresses of our modern lifestyle.

About The Author
Brenda Watson is a New York Times Bestselling author, a Naturopathic Doctor and President of Renew Life Formulas. She has been helping people achieve optimal digestive health for over twenty five years. http://www.fiber35diet.com

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Permalink Reply by Ian on December 11, 2007 at 7:13pm

Enzymedica is the only brand I personally use if I would eat cooked food, which is not that often.

The best time to take enzymes is 30 minutes prior to a cooked meal to aid with pre-digestion. Raw, whole foods is admittedly a better source of enzymes, but not everyone can achieve a 100% raw foodist status, and this would be the next best option. Digest Gold is the most potent multi-enzyme on the market, and would probably suit any and all dietary needs, if need be.

For those who indulge in dairy products, Lactase taken 30 minutes before the meal will aid pre-digestion, and those who have heavy protein meals, whether by animal or plant products, Protease taken 30 minues before a meal will aid with pre-digestion as well. I took supplements for 4 years before going 100% raw, and it was those times that I did not have those supplements present that I truly suffered.

For example, I gave up meat because on Thanksgiving in 2004 I gorged myself upon a vintage Turkey-day meal - and I just happen to run out of enzymes a week prior. Any other time I took protease and ate meat, I was fine. This particular day, however, I was in bed sick the 3 days following my feast. At that point I said "no more" ... probably the best decision I ever made, even moreso than going 100% raw.

Food that does not get pre-digested in the upper portion of the stomach (ie- cardiac portion) passes through the system undigested and begins the toxic cycle of the bloodstream. This is why it's important to have the right enzymes in the right place at the proper time (30 minutes prior to a meal). For those who believe 75-100% raw food is too radical, I usually recommend eating a raw meal prior to a cooked one so live enzymes are at least present in the body before cooked food enters. This has one aiming for balance, at the very least, and I believe if 50% of one's consumption is food in its raw state, this is approaching a healthier path than 95% of Americans today.

Great questions, though.

Ian

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Permalink Reply by chris patarazzi on February 10, 2009 at 4:43pm

I've been looking over enzymes for a while. I've used Karyn's(in Chicago), because it's easier to get. Her's are from Howell's formula. I've been steered toward Vitalzym. They're expensive, but if they're top then why not...I've also looked into Bisci's, from Matt Monarch. The issue is that most of these require you to take 4-5 at a time, except Enzymedica, which says to take 1 at a meal. Now does this mean they are that much more potent, or that the others are "suggesting" to take more to sell more of their product?

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