MAIN TYPES OF DIGESTIVE ENZYMES

There are three main types of digestive enzymes you should know about.

1- Pancreatic enzymes.

Pancreatic enzymes are secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine.

It's important to understand that the trigger for the release of these enzymes is a change in pH in the small intestine. This means that correcting issues in stomach acidity is also important to correct pancreatic enzyme deficiencies (check out the Betaine HCL section).

The main pancreatic enzymes are:

• Amylase: carbohydrate digestion
• Protease: protein digestion
• Lipase: fat digestion

* Some people worry that taking digestive enzymes will lead to the pancreas not producing enzymes anymore, and create a dependence. This has never been shown in research. In fact, taking supplemental enzymes may even give the pancreas a 'rest' and help it become more efficient and effective once enzyme supplementation stops.

2- Brush-border enzymes

The brush-border enzymes are produced in the cells of the small intestinal lining. When the gut becomes injured for any reason (especially common with SIBO), these cells can become damaged and their enzyme function is lost.

Example of brush border enzymes are glucoamylase, maltase, sucrase and lactase. That's one of the reason why so many people with gut issues end up being lactose intolerant.

3- Enzymes secreted by your gut bacteria

Your gut bacteria also produce some enzymes to help you digest your food better. If you have dysbiosis, it's likely that you're lacking these enzymes.

HOW CAN DIGESTIVE ENZYMES HELP YOU

1- HELP ABSORB MORE NUTRIENTS

They help break down the food you eat into individual nutrients so your body can actually absorb and use the ‘goodness’ in the food you eat, such as amino acids (from proteins), vitamins, minerals etc.

Without digestive enzymes, you could be eating the healthiest food on the planet and still be unhealthy, since you're not getting all the goodies from those foods.

2-LESS IRRITATION AND INFLAMMATION IN THE GUT

Undigested food particles are irritating to the gut lining and can cause inflammation, leading to a vicious cycle: poor digestion leads to inflammation which leads to poor digestion (as well as bad bacteria overgrowth, leading to more inflammation, leaky gut, etc.).

3- HELP RE-BALANCE GUT BACTERIA

Better digestion means less food for the bad bugs to ferment. The reduction in inflammation also create a more positive environment for the good bacteria to flourish.

4- CAN HELP REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF SALICYLATE SENSITIVITY

Phenolic compounds such as salicylates have a negative effect on your body’s own amylase activities. They prevent amylase from successfully digesting carbohydrates. Thus taking an amylase enzyme alone or an enzyme that has a high level of amylase can significantly help with salicylate sensitivity. Amylase or protease can also help reduce symptoms, such as breathlessness.

5- REDUCTION OF PAIN AND INFLAMMATION

When consumed between meals, on an empty stomach, enzymes have a very different effect on the body, but still very beneficial.

Enzymes have an affinity for denatured, dead, or damaged tissue. This makes certain enzymes very effective for cleaning out damaged tissues and infections in the body, hence reducing pain and inflammation. It may also help with auto-immune issues.

6- BIOFILM BUSTING

Again, when consumed between meals, on an empty stomach, enzymes can help destroy biofilms, which are protective coatings that can form over bacteria and fungus and make them resistant to treatment.

TO RECAP:

Taking digestive enzymes, when taken with a meal, can help you absorb more nutrients, heal the gut lining and re-balance your gut bacteria. What's more, when taken on an empty stomach, they can help reduce pain and inflammation, and destroy biofilms.

That's what we call a win-win-win!!

For all of these reasons, taking a good quality digestive enzyme can be a game-changer and we highly recommend giving it a go.

WHEN DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO STOP TAKING ENZYMES: We recommend trying to gradually reduce your dosage and noting any changes in how you feel. If you feel worse when reducing/stopping, then you're not ready to stop. You can try to stop in another month or two. However, if you notice that you feel exactly the same when stopping, hooray, you've improved and you can stop.

RECOMMENDED DIGESTIVE ENZYMES

Holozyme by Healthy Gut

Buy here in Australia and here in the USA.

HOW DO YOU TAKE IT?

To help with food digestion, take at the beginning, during or immediately after a meal.

Start with 1 capsule with each meals. If you don't notice any difference, increase to 2 or even 3 capsules with each meal.

Tip: If you don't feel benefits when taking enzymes with your meal, try taking them between meals to see if you feel any of the above benefits.