Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Seven Step Guide to Enzymes

Enzymes: Your Seven Step Guide

This guide outlines the steps and processes to take in reading product labels, matching enzymes to food types, and what to look for in a digestive enzyme product.

Enzymes work very well to supplement a diet and thus make the diet more effective than it would be otherwise. Many diets are based on certain foods not being well-digested to begin with so enzymes are a natural solution. Enzymes work very well on food and natural food chemicals. The breakdown of artificially produced chemicals or added chemicals is somewhat limited at this time. These non-good ingredients usually do not provide nutrition anyway, may aggravate a sensitive system, and may hamper health in the long run. Enzymes are not able to convert non-nutritious compounds into healthful nutrients. Providing nutritious raw materials is necessary. Too, enzymes may enhance the absorption and utilization of any supplements or medications take, making them more effective.

In the case of Bio88+ (Plus), all the above is true. Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

* Why are you considering enzymes?
* What types of enzymes are in the product?
* Look closely at the amount of activity of the enzymes
* Compare pricing – Calculating cost comparisons
* What other stuff is in the product besides enzymes?
* Research the product and manufacturer
* Understanding enzyme names and activity

Part 1. Why are you considering enzymes?

Select an enzyme product based on the results you want to achieve. Think about the food groups you want the enzymes to break down, and then pick a product that contains the proper enzymes. Products are usually a mixture of enzymes, not just one type. You may need to choose more than one product to cover all the foods you need to break down. Sometimes you may have another goal besides food breakdown. Examples are using a high protease enzyme product to take between meals for inflammation, gut healing, and blood cleansing, or one with a high level of cellulase to help with yeast overgrowth.

Skip right through all the advertising and marketing fluff. Note what end results you want to see and use that to make your decision. You can get some helpful information from a company but be sure to compare this information with other sources as well.

Part 2. What types of enzymes are in the product?

Source of enzymes
All digestive enzymes come from two living sources: plants or animals. The plant group includes both those enzymes derived from plant sources (pineapple, papaya, kiwi) and microbial (fungal) sources. In general, plant enzymes are preferable when possible. They offer several advantages over enzymes from animal sources. Plant and microbial enzymes are much more effective in the pH and temperature ranges of the body.

Our pancreas, when working properly, secretes a number of enzymes to digest food as it enters the small intestine. But as we age, or in some disease states, this enzyme secretion may not be adequate to completely digest the food we eat. This can result in pain, cramping, excessive gas, certain food intolerances, and inflammation. Pancreatic enzymes are available by prescription (Creon, Viokase) or over the counter. However, pancreatic enzymes are not stable to the acid conditions found in the stomach, so a good portion of them may be destroyed unless the preparation is treated in such a way, like being enterically coated, so that the enzymes will not be released until they arrive in the small intestine.

Plant and microbial enzymes, however, are stable in acidic conditions. They help digest the cooked and raw foods in the higher pH of the upper part of the stomach, the acidic lower part of the stomach as well as in the alkaline intestines. Digestion in the upper stomach actually mimics the natural process of eating raw foods, which contain some amount of the enzymes needed to break down the food itself. The additional ‘pre-digestion’ provided by plant and microbial enzymes leaves the pancreas to provide the ‘finishing touches’ to the digestive process in a less stressful manner. The intestinal tract will be better able to absorb and assimilate the nutrients and vitamins in the meal.

Is an all in one enzyme product better or a speciality product with only a few different types of enzymes? Actually, the “all-in-one” product is probably better if? If it meets the quality and scope of Bio88+ (Plus). Read on and learn about this product here and on its web site, as well as all the other competing products available. But your need may be of a narrower scope and so you would not need the quality nor expense of such an all-in-one product!

There are advantages and disadvantages to each strategy and which is ‘best’ will depend on the individual situation and particular product. Here are some considerations.

‘Everything’ product – A comprehensive product alleviates the need to think about which enzymes go with which foods, so it may be easier to give just one thing. You can take it for overall digestion whenever you eat. However there are dozens of products claiming to be ‘the ultimate’ or ‘most comprehensive’ enzyme product, using very different amounts of different enzymes. Consider any blanket statements like this to be marketing jargon.

Product Toleration – Some people cannot tolerate certain enzymes for a variety of reasons. Having separate formulations allows many more people to enjoy the benefits of enzymes because they can eliminate the enzymes they do not tolerate. Having everything in one capsule makes it an ‘all or nothing’ deal. If someone reacts negatively to a formulation, and all the enzymes are lumped together, there is no way for the person to fine-tune it, or figure out what is the problem.

Specialized need – If you take a complete product while attempting to get the benefits of just one or two types of enzymes, you may have to take much more product which makes this much more expensive. Targeting specific needs may be more efficient and cheaper. Calculate the cost per capsule and per dose for what you need. There is also the basic issue of volume or bulk in enzymes. There is only so much room in a capsule so the all-in-one product may require you to take more capsules just to get adequate amounts of the basic types of enzymes. A person with celiac may want a product that is low in proteases overall. You may want particular enzymes just for yeast control. If you are on a diet that contains high fat, you would probably be better off with a special product with a much higher level of lipase enzymes than most products contain (Lypo from Enzymedica is an example). Some people cannot tolerate the fruit-derived enzymes, whereas others specifically want bromelain or papain to help with inflammation. A few have reported taking a a strong protease product to quelch a migraine or cold. Wobenzyme N is all proteases and very popular for immune system support.

Proteases separately – Giving proteases separately has proven to be very beneficial for many people. Since the proteases are doing many other types of healing work in the body, this provides advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include fighting pathogens, eliminating waste and toxins, immune support, etc. We have noticed that sometimes if there is a negative initial reaction to enzymes, this can be minimized by giving proteases separately and going slower with them, where as this does not seem to be a factor with other enzymes. Many parents have found that being able to dose a strong protease product separately from the other enzymes has made enzyme therapy successful for them. They can use a broad spectrum product lower in proteases first for a couple of weeks to promote gut healing gently and then introduce the stronger proteases. For those with yeast, die-off may be slower and more tolerable. Someone with a severely injured gut can give the proteases slower until the gut is sufficiently healed without having to give up the benefits of other enzymes. This strategy may actually speed up gut healing as well.

Number of enzymes – You will notice that many very good enzyme products do not have every enzyme known to man in them. Having one of everything is not really necessary with enzymes. It may be helpful for some people depending on their physiology and diet, but many people just need ample supplies of the basic ones. Too many different types of proteases may start to cancel each other out. Also, certain combinations of enzymes have synergistic benefits that are not seen if given separately or not in the appropriate combination. This is the ‘art’ and science of making targeted products.

Part 3. Look closely at the amount of activity of the enzymes

Your best bet for an all-around digestive enzyme product is Bio88+ (Plus), with the highest rate of CFU’s available at time of manufacture of any competing product.

Enzyme strength is measured in terms of activity. Enzymes may be present, but unless they are functional, they will not do any good. While most food, supplement, and drug comparisons use weight (such as milligrams), the most important measurement with enzymes is the activity and potency of the enzyme. A product label should list enzyme strength in standard activity units rather than by weight. To measure activity of digestive enzymes, tests or assays determine the quantity of digestion that occurs under specific conditions. This activity depends on concentration, quantity, pH, temperature, and substrate.

When you review the labeling on a digestive enzyme package, look for Food Chemical Codex (FCC) units. This labeling certifies that the enzymes went through thorough testing for activity and potency. The American food industry accepts these units as set forth by the National Academy of Sciences. Some companies promoting enzymes list measurements based on dosage, weights such as milligrams (mg), or a other things. Weight, dosage, and any other units do not give any information on enzyme activity – 220 mg per capsule does not tell anything about enzyme activity. You may have 220 mg of nothing, or 10 percent activity or 90 percent activity. FCC labeling is the only national standard for the evaluation of activity and potency of enzymes in the United States. If the product you are interested in only gives weight in milligrams or in units you do not understand, you can call the company and ask about the specific ingredients and activities.

The higher the activity number, the quicker the food is digested. A lower number will still be digesting food, but it will take longer. Since enzymes do not get used up in the process, we do not ‘run out’ of enzymes before all the food is digested, BUT the stomach and intestines are absorbing food, completely broken down or not, at the same time. Since we are ‘on the clock,’ with possible unbroken-down peptides (or other food components) being absorbed, we want the food to be digested by the enzymes before it gets absorbed in a partially broken-down state.

FCC labeling example: If Product # 1 has 15,000 HUT of protease and Product # 2 has 45,000 HUT of protease. Product #2 can break down three times more protein than product # 1 in a given period of time. This is how to compare digestive enzyme activity and formulations.

Part 4. Compare pricing – Calculating cost comparisons

Once you have picked a product that contains the enzymes you need to meet your goals, and you see that the label lists certified activity units, you have several ways to further compare products. What is the cost per capsule?

To find out what the cost per capsule is, first find out how many capsules are in the bottle from the label. Capsules are better because the process of making tablets is hard on enzyme integrity or activity. Write this number down as Number of Capsules per Bottle. Next, add the price for the bottle, any extra discounts, taxes, and/or shipping charges to find the Total Cost per Bottle. Now divide the Total Cost per Number of Capsules. This gives you the Cost per Capsule.

What is the activity per capsule?

Sometimes it is helpful to compare products by activity per capsule. The product label may already list the activity per capsule. You always want to buy a product that lists the ingredients by acceptable units for activity, not by weight (such as in milligrams – mg). Weight tells you nothing. You can have 100 mg in an enzyme capsule but if it has zero activity, it is worthless to you. 100 mg may contain 5 units of activity or 500,000 units of activity. You can only compare values for activity if the units are identical. FCCLU is not the same as LU.

If the units are not identical, you need to find the conversion factor to get them into similar units. If the units are not identical and there is no conversion factor, you cannot make a side-by-side comparison and will need to look at other factors.

The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) helped by establishing a standard for the pancreatic enzymes (animal-derived) by which you can compare other enzyme supplements, such as plant_ and microbial-derived. This standard is called ‘X’ and contains an equivalent of:

25 USP units of amylase,
2 USP units of lipase, and
25 USP units of proteolytic enzymes
If a supplement contains 5X pancreatic enzymes, it would provide five times the amount of each of the enzymes in this standard, or 125 USP amylase, 10 USP lipase, and 123 USP protease. There is no direct conversion between USP units and FCC units, because they are produced from different sources, using different methods.

How many capsules will you need to take?

Compare the activity per capsule along with how many capsules you will need to take. Some products say one capsule per mea, other say 4 or more. That can make quite a difference when buying.

Not many products are sold as straight enzyme powder because constantly exposing the powder to air can drop the activity level. So the first doses may have a much higher activity than the powder nearer the bottom of the container by the time you actually get around to using it. Generally, one capsule's worth of enzymes equals about one-eighth teaspoon.

ALWAYS check how many capsules count as ‘one serving’ or ‘one dose.’ Just looking at the list of ingredients and the amount of activity on a label and automatically thinking it is for one capsule is very easy to do. Marketing departments know this too. It may look like you are getting a lot of enzyme activity per serving, however the serving size may be more than one capsule. This is a common practice for many dietary supplements, not just digestive enzymes. Also, note how many capsules per bottle. Usually for enzymes, capsules come in increments of 60, 90, or 120.

Cost comparisons may look something like this:

Bio88+ (Plus)
200,000 CFUs at time of manufacture
88 Vegetarian-based certified organic food products used to produce the enzymes
15 Proprietary Pro-Biotics included
45 days supply, twice daily, for $40 – a honey-like semi-liquid (no honey used)
------
40 cents per serving (contains no animal-based enzymes)

From Company A:
24.4 Prozyme Protein
21.1 Prozyme All-purpose (contains some protease)
——
45.5 cents total using 2 capsules for all food groups

From Company B:
24.4 Digestase Alpha_protein
19.1 Digestase Beta_carbs
——
43.5 cents total using 2 capsules, but have no enzymes for fats and sugars

From Company C:
30.0 Foodase Proteins and Sugars
27.8 Foodase Fats
25.0 Foodase Starches
——
82.8 cents total using 3 capsules for all food groups

You can go with one complete product, such as Bio88+ (Plus) or you can mix and match enzyme products, so you do not have to buy everything from one company. Check to see that all the products you are considering use a very high standard of manufacturing methods and quality control. All products should use quality ingredients, including sulfite-free papain or a manufacturing method that does not require sulfite. This will not necessarily be listed on the label, so double-check from others or the manufacturer. You may want to note if products come packaged in gelatin capsules (animal based) or veggie capsules (vegetable based), if this is a concern for you.

You will also need to factor in individual responses. Any individual may have a better reaction to one formulation, but not another for some unidentifiable reason. Nothing in a real laboratory, or what other people with similar symptoms say, can always predict how any individual will respond.

Part 5. What other stuff is in the product besides enzymes?

You will also need to check for any additives, fillers, binders, or other ingredients that are in the product besides enzymes. You will have to decide if you need these extras at all, or want to pay for them, or if they may cause an adverse reaction. Possible items are:

* probiotics - usually probiotics in an enzyme supplements may be a nice-to-have but are not sufficient to replace a 'good' or 'strong' probiotic (see Bio88+ (Plus) for probiotics list)
* vitamins
* minerals that may help deliver or transport enzymes (calcium ascorbate, magnesium citrate, zinc or manganese gluconate )
* amino acids
* other stuff _ herbs (such as aloe vera powder, ginger root), whole foods, gelatin, additives, preservatives, colorings, dairy, soy, yeast, gluten, sugar, salt, corn, wheat, or hydrogenated oils
* potential allergens or food intolerances
* ionic minerals – these minerals may help the digestive enzymes become two to three times more active and effective

Part 6. Research the product and manufacturer

This is always a good idea. Call the company or manufacturer and get answers directly. Keep in mind that a company will usually want to paint their products in the best light possible. Usually on health issues, they will not deceive you or lie, although this is not guaranteed and does happen. Most probably, they may not be forthcoming in giving you all the information you need if that information may dissuade you from purchasing their products. Bluntly ask them to explain why you should buy their product over a competitor’s product. This is not being pushy; it is being practical. People who are proud of their work are very happy to talk about it. If their products do not list FCC units, ask for the corresponding values. Have them explain it to your satisfaction. Be cautious about extra things in the formulation that you do not necessarily want to pay for.

Then go to one of the best sources available for information: Ask others if they have any experience with the products. Ask about side-effects and interactions. Find other individuals that have symptoms or a condition similar to your situation. Although parents and other adults have their preferences, they are usually very honest about that. Asking several individuals will give you a much better idea of general satisfaction with the product. In the end, you are paying for it and your family will be using it. Many issues surround the quality of enzymes. Ask about handling, storing, and packaging of enzymes because these all affect enzyme activity. We are interested in the activity of the enzyme as we ingest it, not as it leaves the factory.

Part 7. Understanding enzyme names and activity

Enzymes usually have the ending ‘ase.’ Usually, the first part of the name tells something about what the enzyme is working on. A protease would be an enzyme (ase) that works on a protein (prote). A lipase would be an enzyme (ase) that works on lipids (lipids means fat, so this enzyme breaks down fats). Pectase is an enzyme (ase) that works on pectins (a compound found in some fruits such as apples).

Protease is a broad term referring to any enzyme that breaks down proteins. In the enzyme business, almost all enzymes from microbial/fungal organisms are actually mixtures (or blends) of many different enzymes. For example, you can get a number of ‘proteases’ available from enzyme brokers with names such as ‘protease 3.0’, ‘alkaline protease’, ‘acid-stable protease’, or ‘protease 4.5’. The enzyme blend called protease 3.0 may also contain amylase, pectinase, and a variety of different peptidases. However, the supplier only certifies that blend for units of protease 3.0 which has certain characteristics that make it different from other of the supplier’s proteases. These characteristics may refer to a number of things, including its optimum pH or particular affinity to specific substrates.

There are a few main companies in the United States that produce core basic enzymes. People making formulations buy what they want, similar to buying ingredients from the store and then cooking something special from them. Okay, let’s say a manufacturer purchases three blends of a supplier’s proteases, such as ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C.’ Then he mixes two parts of A with six parts of B. Now the manufacturer has a ‘distinct and proprietary’ blend, which he decides to call ‘Ultrazymase’ and puts it on his label so that other sneaky manufacturers cannot copy his remarkable formula. The problem is, how do you then convey the activity of Ultrazymase? This explains why sometimes you do not get an exact ingredient list – because it is the proprietary information of the enzyme formulator. Or it may contain a proprietary blend from the original supplier, which even the formulator does not know exactly, or is not at liberty to disclose. It also explains why you may see a name that sounds like an enzyme because it ends in –ase, but you cannot find it in any research book or with a search engine on the Internet. These are usually the created names of proprietary blends.

It may seem logical to add as many different proteases in a product as possible to get the widest amount of proteins broken down; however, going with, say, more than three or four different proteases may probably be the optimal number of different proteases, and may do as much protein breakdown as having smaller amounts of six or seven proteases.

I cannot emphasize too often nor too much the statement I have made many times in other health-related articles of recent vintage. We are all different in the chemical makeup of our bodies. So some of us will react differently to the same treatment for the same problem. This article is not intended as medical advice in any way nor as any recommendation for any specific treatment for any specific disorder. This article is intended solely as educational in that there are alternative treatments and alternative remedies available for virtually every condition. Do, by all means, consult your physician, a second physician, and your alternative or holistic health practitioner for every condition, then follow the best advice you have received. If it works you are ahead of the game. If it doesn’t work there are lots of alternatives available to try.

Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.

If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.

Author's Bio:

Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.

This article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

Friday, April 11, 2008

An Enzyme Resource

Enzymes: A Resource

When considering an enzyme product, think about WHY you want to use enzymes and what goals you would like to achieve. The following products have been found beneficial by those with various conditions under real life practical use as reported by families. This is not a complete list. Most every supplement vendor sells some type of enzyme product. See my article on How to Read an Enzyme Label for additional information. Listing and/or linking below is not in any way an endorsement by the author. See disclaimer

If you are wanting to leave a casein-free, gluten-free (soy-free) diet:

1. Peptizyde by Houston Nutraceuticals - found to be effective enough for this purpose for many people. First product successfully used instead of casein-free, gluten-free diet. www.houstonni.com
2. AFP Peptizyde by Houston – protease product effective for casein and gluten control but does not contain any fruit-derived enzymes
3. Bio 88+ (Plus) from Healing Hand Network – all vegetarian-based enxymes – 88 certified organic fruits, grains and vegetables enzymes plus 15 proprietary pro-biotics – double-fermented using an ancient native north American fermentation process which produces the most complete enzyme supplement and the lowest-priced per use enzyme supplement available on the market today.

If you are wanting to stay on a casein-free, gluten-free (soy-free) diet and supplement with enzymes:

1. Peptizyde by Houston Nutraceuticals
2. AFP Peptizyde by Houston – does not contain fruit-derived enzymes for those sensitive to phenols or not wanting the "distinctive" taste and smell of papain
3. SerenAid by Klaire Labs www.klaire.com
4. other 'strong' protease products may also help here, such as Bio 88+ (Plus) from Healing Hand Network .

If you want a broad-spectrum all-purpose product for all foods OTHER THAN casein and gluten (although some may help a little with casein and gluten too):

1. Zyme Prime by Houston Nutraceuticals– contains rice bran
2. Vital Zyme Forte by Klaire Labs – contains beet root powder, in gelatin capsules
3. Carbo by Enzymedica – does not contain any fillers, contains less protease than Digest; does not contain fruit-derived enzymes helpful for those with phenol sensitivities
4. Digest by Enzymedica – does not contain any fillers, contains probiotics; does not contain fruit-derived enzymes helpful for those with phenol sensitivities
5. Digest Gold by Enzymedica– does not contain any fillers, approximately 3 times stronger than Digest; does not contain fruit-derived enzymes helpful for those with phenol sensitivities http://www.enzymedica.com/first.html
6 . Ultra-zyme Plus by Thropps Nutrition - no fillers, includes ionic minerals
7 . Most every supplement vendor offers some type of broad-spectrum enzyme product. Some are not very strong, others (such as these listed) have good activity levels or 'strength.'

If you want to control yeast or bacteria:

1. No-Fenol by Houston _ contains cellulase plus xylanase
2. Candidase by Enzymedica – contains cellulase and proteases
3. Candex by Pure Essence – company just reformulated this product. The older version contained cellulase plus probiotics, the newer version is an assortment of just enzymes.
4. Complete Candida Complex
5. Complete Candida Kit
6. Bio 88+ (Plus) from Healing Hand Network.

Notes: No-Fenol has been seen to be very effective on yeast, not much first-hand experience is available for the other products, but they are available. For yeast control, give these products in between meals, either one hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. Yeast control with the cellulase products is more effective if there proteases are given along with it. If you take these product with meals they will help with yeast a little and also break down much of the more fibrous foods eaten (complex carbs, fruits, and vegetables). Work great together with some sort of yeast killer or antifungal. These enzymes may also helpful with Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

If you want a strong protease to assist with yeast and bacteria control, immune system support, gut healing, and other uses:

1. Peptizyde by Houston – contains only proteases
2. Purify by Enzymedica – contains proteases and calcium citrate
3. Repair by Enzymedica – contains proteases, amylase, and lipase
4. Wobenzyme – contains mostly proteases
5. Bio 88+ (Plus) from Healing Hand Network.

If you want a product for phenols, or if you are sensitive to phenols:

1. No-Fenol by Houston - found to be very effective for phenolic foods, artificial colorings,
flavorings, and other phenolic compounds.
2. AFP Peptizyde by Houston – protease product effective for casein and gluten control but does not contain any fruit-derived enzymes
3. Enzymedica products Carbo, Digest, Digest Gold, Gastro, Candidase, Purify do not contain fruit-derived enzymes; only the product Repair contains fruit-derived enzymes

Note: May be helpful with Feingold Program, particularly going from Stage 1 to Stage 2.

If you want a "gentler" product for a very injured gut:

1. Gastro by Enzymedica contains no proteases, and does contain amylase, lipase, cellulase and 4 herbs to aid in gut healing http://www.enzymedica.com/first.html
2. No-Fenol, Candex, or Candidade may be helpful with conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's, celiac, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel disease, and other conditions caused by bacteria, yeast, and inflammation in the gut. It helps to keep the roughage down to not irritate the gut lining, as well as fight yeast directly.

3. Bio 88+ (Plus) from Healing Hand Network – all vegetarian-based enxymes – 88 certified organic fruits, grains and vegetables enzymes plus 15 proprietary pro-biotics – double-fermented using an ancient native north American fermentation process which produces the most complete enzyme supplement and the lowest-priced per use enzyme supplement available on the market today.

If you wants a high lipase product:

1. Lypo by Enzymedica
2. Digest Gold by Enzymedica – does not contain any fillers, approximately 3 times stronger than Digest; does not contain fruit-derived enzymes helpful for those with phenol sensitivities
3. Some people do well with prescription pancreatic enzyme products for this purpose

Other companies:

1. Tyler makes Similase and Similase Jr in several different varieties, sometimes recommended by clinics. Creon is a prescription pancreatic product available through doctors.
2. Contact Kirkman Labs for specific use of their products.
3. Bio88+ (Plus), from Healing Hand Network, comes in a semi-liquid honey-like state, is an Enzyme product created from 88 nutritious food, fruit, herb, vegetable and grain products and additionally contains 15 proprietary probiotics.
4. Replenish Probiotic
5. Resolve Digestive Enzymes
6. Super Antioxidant Greens
7. Natural Metabolism Enhancer
8. Bio 88+ (Plus) from Healing Hand Network.

Many people with autism (and other conditions) may have gastrointestinal problems so great that ANY product can bring a little improvement. Just keep in mind that further improvement may be possible as well.

Note: Enzymedica products are available in health food stores or online. You can search for the best price online. All products come in veggie capsules except for Klaire products which come in gelatin. When comparing prices, please note if the quantities given are for one, two, or more capsules, and how many capsules are in a bottle. Houston products contain rice bran, Klaire products contain beet root powder, and Enzymedica products contain no fillers, Thropps Nutrition contains no fillers but does contain ionic minerals. Most people find these ingredients are not a problem even if they are "intolerant" of them initially. However, please note these if they are a concern for you.

There are at least 9 brands all claiming to be the "best" or "most potent" or "most comprehensive" or "best value" or "best all around enzyme product" – please take any such claim with not only a grain of salt but an entire shaker.

The author personally endorses only one of these products, but with reservations. Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.

If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.


Author's Bio:
Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.

This article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

New Diet? Consult Your Doctor Before Using Enzymes

Enzymes: Consult Your Doctor

Here’s a toughie. You want to embark on a new diet. You ask yourself: “Do I have to get my doctor’s approval”?

Although enzymes are considered a safe food not needing a doctor’s approval, it is always advisable to get the input of your health care physician when making decisions or changes regarding your health. This includes with any diets (particularly very restrictive ones), supplements, or over the counter products. Many supplements or diets can affect neurology. Some supplements may not be safe in higher amounts nor effective in too small a dosage. A medical professional needs to know everything you are taking or would like to take in order to make good recommendations for your health. Although enzymes are very rarely a problem, adverse interactions are possible among other ‘all natural herbs,’ vitamins, or over-the-counter compounds. Most doctors do not have much training in nutrition and they may recommend you see someone who specializes in nutrition. Most doctors consider digestive enzymes a safe thing to try, just like you would bottled water, fresh fruit, or whole grains not really requiring medical approval.

Many people nowadays have given up on physicians – the medical profession – generally and have opted for alternative medicine. So, alternatively, you should consult, if not your physician, then certainly your Holistic Health Care Provider. In fact, in basic medical classroom training the typical Holistic Doctor has one full semester of academic work more than what the medical doctors training provides, and the same residency and professional requirements.

So, having come this far, what else do I need to know?

Many people are able to significantly reduce their costs for food, supplements and therapies with these enzyme products. Many families are able to find more manageable and enjoyable ways to assist their children and improve their quality of life. All age groups show improvements of some kind, even significant ones, including teens and adults, although results for any specific individual may vary considerably. People have been using enzymes for years to safely assist in food intolerances and allergies, leaky gut syndrome, yeast, and immune system support among others. These well-researched benefits probably explain the overwhelming success rate and the wide range of improvement. Because enzymes have proven to help each of the wide variety of biological conditions seen with many neurological conditions, including autism, the high success rate of people improvement is logical, reasonable, and based in sound scientific principles. Of the individuals who tried these enzymes for other conditions, the vast majority have reported at least some benefits (chronic fatigue, AD(H)D, asthma, fibromyalgia, sensory issues, migraines, allergies, etc.)

Bio88+ (Plus) comes in a liquid form which is 90 percent efficacious and literally goes to work in your system within seconds of taking. However, many “greens” products, if not all of them, are based in part upon grains – wheat, rye, barley or oats – i.e., gluten containing grains. Any form of gluten can be an instant poisoning to your system if you suffer from Celiac disease. Make certain to consult your doctor if you are on a gluten-free diet. Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.

If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.


Author's Bio:

Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.

This article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Autism and PDD's Relationship with Enzymes

Enzymes: Autism and PDD's

In this article we’ll take a long look at Autism, at what is known and at some things about which we can only surmise. We’ll start with the question: How do enzyme supplements help in autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDD’s)?

Many of these people may have general digestion problems, leaky gut syndrome, inflammation in the gut, yeast overgrowth, or other conditions that result in insufficiently digested food and poor absorption – all of which enzymes may help improve. Some, not all, children with autism exhibit behavioral problems that lessen with the removal of certain foods. There is some evidence that insufficiently broken down proteins may bind to receptors in the gut and brain causing problematic symptoms and behaviors.

Other foods may result in equally problematic, although different, symptoms. Enzymes help break down foods more sufficiently so they will not be in a form that is problematic or causes an immune system reaction. At the same time, they may help heal the fundamental gastrointestinal issues.

Here is where Bio88+ (Plus), can play a vital role in that it is pleasant tasting, easy to take, goes to work instantly upon ingestion, and enhances both digestion and absorption of nutrients in the food we take.

Here’s another perplexing problem and possible answer. Peptizyde is considered the breakthrough. What makes Peptizyde so special?

Peptizyde contains a unique blend of proteases and peptidases targeting the identified problematic peptides, which made it the first product to allow some sensitive individuals to eat casein and gluten regularly. A recent research study confirms that the synergistic effect of these particular proteases are particularly effective in breaking casein and other protein bonds. This was the first blend to allow many people to successfully use instead of a casein-free, gluten-free diet. It came out in April 2001. Because of its strong success, other companies will no doubt duplicate or pattern this formulation in other similar products.

So your child is already on a restrictive diet. Does he or she still need enzymes?

There are a number of restrictive diets found to be helpful with various subgroups of autism spectrum and neurological conditions – Feingold, yeast, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, casein-free/gluten-free, high protein, and others. Since enzymes facilitate food breakdown, absorption, and utilization they may be very helpful with any of these. Sources of the potentially harmful peptides and how they function are not completely understood, nor are the exact mechanisms of other problematic foods. Sources of peptide production from within the body, such as normal breakdown of red blood cells, yeast, and bacteria (good and bad) may be contributing to the peptide load. This may explain why some do not see much improvement with certain restrictive diets.

So, here’s a slow curve with a fast break to it: can I use the enzymes in place of a restrictive diet?

Most people find they can reintroduce most foods by giving the appropriate enzymes for the food type. However, not all people can successfully reintroduce all foods. You may still need to restrict a few items on a case-by-case basis. Particularly problematic foods are nuts, seeds, and foods conveying a ‘true’ allergy. Enzymes can supplement any type of diet, and people show improvement in most circumstances. Some people find when they use certain enzymes they no longer need to follow a restrictive diet. There are a variety of restrictive diet types giving success to various sub-groups of individuals: Feingold Diet, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Casein-free/Gluten-free (and often soy-free) Diet, Keto Diet (high protein), Yeast Control Diets, and Rotation Diets.

Since enzymes facilitate food breakdown, absorption, and utilization they may be very helpful with any of these. The exact mechanisms of many problematic foods are not completely understood. Sources of peptide production from within the body, such as normal breakdown of red blood cells, yeast, and bacteria (good and bad) may be contributing to any peptide load. Or carbohydrate and sugar sources may be unknown. Or there is gut injury not accounted for. This may explain why some people do not see much improvement with certain restrictive diets, but do with enzymes. Adding enzymes to facilitate the digestion of what you do eat may make a diet more effective, such as adding proteases to a high protein diet.

Enzymes work very well to supplement a diet and thus make the diet more effective than it would be otherwise. Many diets are based on certain foods not being well-digested to begin with so enzymes are a natural solution. Enzymes work very well on actual food and natural food chemicals. The breakdown of artificially produced chemicals or added chemicals is somewhat limited at this time. These non-food ingredients usually do not provide nutrition anyway, may aggravate a sensitive system, and may hamper health in the long run. Enzymes are not able to convert non-nutritious compounds into healthful nutrients. Providing nutritious raw materials is necesary. Enzymes may enhance the absorption and ultization of any supplements or medications taken as well, making them more effective.

Iin the case of Bio88+ (Plus), all the above is true. Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.

If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.


Author's Bio:

Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.

This article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Why You Should Take Enzymes

Enzymes: Why Take Them

Why would you want an enzyme product as a nutritional dietary supplement?

There are many reasons for wanting and seeking an enzyme supplement. These include restoration of the proper enzyme balance in our “gut” to ensure proper digestion, vitamin and mineral supplement for our health, and insuring proper nutrition to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Proper and complete digestion is essential for good health. Digestive enzymes, used properly, can provide a substantial benefit to most everyone, especially those consuming a great deal of cooked or processed food. Enzymes may ease bloating, gas and heaviness with meals. Proteases may be beneficial between meals if you have an autoimmune condition or are recovering from an injury or illness. Enzyme-based products are one of the least utilized dietary aids, despite the fact that their use dates back thousands of years.

Many manufacturers may avoid the use of enzyme products because their mode of action can be complex, and requires specific scientific knowledge and expertise. Such is actually the case in the manufacture of Bio88+ (Plus), produced in a government controlled laboratory, under stringent conditions, and using a “double fermentation” process that takes four months from start to finished product. There are other considerations in your enzyme supplement including (see below) whether or not it contains enzymes made from animal sources.

If I can just eat raw foods to replenish my stomach enzymes, why would I want to take an enzyme supplement?

You could, except that raw food diets are difficult to maintain. Eating raw meat, with the danger of bacterial toxins, is not advisable as a means of obtaining food enzymes. Also, the amount of enzymes present in raw food is such that it would take many hours to adequately digest the food, and raw food does not necessarily contain all the enzymes needed. Enzyme supplements are a concentrated form of food enzymes that you may add to any diet so breakdown of food will occur at a faster rate.

When I take enzymes orally, aren’t they destroyed by either my stomach acid or by my own store of stomach and intestinal enzymes?

Some enzymes taken orally, including those made from animal pancreas extracts, become inactive in the low pH of stomach acid. Microbial derived enzymes are acid resistant, and can maintain activity at pH as low as 2.0 and as high as 10.0. Microorganisms use their enzymes to break down and digest the plant material that they grow upon. Since the site of fungal growth in nature can vary, fungi have evolved enzyme systems that allow the plant to grow under a variety of conditions, including differences in pH and temperature. Pancreatic enzymes work under a much narrower range of pH in the animal, since their environment is more controlled. Manufacturers often enterically coat pancreatic enzymes to provide resistance to acidity. Some of these coatings contain ingredients considered unhealthful.

The producers of Bio88+ (Plus) use only the very finest “certified” organic, 100% vegetarian-based components in the making of their highly nutritious food product. There are no animal based products associated with Bio 88+ (Plus). Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.

If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.

Author's Bio:

Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.

This article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Enzymes and Nutrition

It is important in understanding enzymes and nutrition to really have a firm grasp of what enzymes are, where they come from, what role they play in nutrition. In the first two articles we have learned what enzymes are, where they come from and how we use them. Now let’s ask a few key questions about enzymes and look at the answers. This will give us a much better perception of the importance of enzymes to our nutrition and our overall health.

What is the role of enzymes in nutrition?

To better understand digestive enzymes, we must first understand the role of NUTRITION in our health. The Oxford American Dictionary defines “nutrition” as simply “nourishment”. Another definition of Nutrition is the body's ability to use and metabolize food.

There are 45 known essential nutrients required in specific amounts in order for the body to function properly. The term "essential," as used here, means the body cannot synthesize them internally. Therefore all essential nutrients must come from outside the body – from food and other vitamin and mineral sources. In addition to carbohydrates, fats (lipids), complete proteins, and water, there are at least 13 kinds of vitamins and at least 20 kinds of minerals required for proper metabolic function.

Once consumed, the food containing these nutrients must be digested, meaning they must be broken apart and reduced to a state that the nutrients can be absorbed into and transported by the blood stream to all parts of the body.

Our cells are genetically programmed to direct these nutrients to combine and interact with other nutrients and chemicals to create still other chemicals and compounds which, in turn, are used to build and repair the body's cells – bones, tissue, and organs. This process is called metabolism. Each metabolic reaction is started, controlled, and terminated by enzymes.

Without enzymes we will have no metabolic activity. A body that does not consistently and efficiently metabolize the essential food elements necessary for life will be unhealthy, out of balance, and this condition will result in a severe susceptibility to disease. Many illnesses are the result of a dietary problem that causes toxemia inside of the body, a natural condition resulting from malnutrition – whether from a malfunction of the body or from a lack of proper dietary intake.

How many different kinds of enzymes are there?

For our purposes (this article), there are three major types or categories of Enzymes:

•DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
•FOOD ENZYMES
•METABOLIC ENZYMES

The two kinds of enzymes we are concerned with here are DIGESTIVE ENZYMES and FOOD ENZYMES. These two are active only within our digestive system. They have one main job — to digest our food.

But the third type is important. They are the Metabolic enzymes which run the body. They exist throughout the body in the organs, the bones, the blood, and inside the cells themselves. They are “genetically programmed” to regenerate and maintain their host. These enzymes do a great job carrying out their metabolizing mission as long as they are health and there are enough of them.

Digestive enzymes are manufactured within our body's organs. Digestive enzymes are secreted by the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and the small intestine. Technically, digestive enzymes are also considered to be metabolic enzymes whose metabolic role is to digest food. We are specifically distinguishing these particular enzymes here because they deal with digestion and they can be supplemented from an outside source.

In fact, these digestive enzymes become depleted when we eat too many overcooked foods, when we eat foods which are laced with antibiotics, when we eat foods which have traces (or more) of artificial fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides. Nor do those foods contain any systemic replenishing enzymes. Our body’s stock of beneficial organisms (metabolic and digestive enzymes) also becomes depleted when we are ill and must take antibiotics. In these instances we must have outside sources of enzyme replenishment.

Digestive enzymes and food enzymes basically serve the same function, which is to digest our food so it can be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the blood stream. From this viewpoint the only real difference between food enzymes and digestive enzymes is whether they come from inside our body or from the food we eat.

This is accomplished in one of two ways. Food enzymes are already present within the foods we eat. Food enzymes exist naturally in raw food. If the food is cooked, however, the high temperature involved in the cooking process will destroy the enzymes. An alternative source, then, of enzymes is required. Such food sources as “enzyme rich” supplements, i.e., “greens” (not the leafy stuff like lettuce, etc.), is called for.

Why are enzymes so important for digestion?

Most food, when it is uncooked, contains enough natural food enzymes to digest that food. When you cook the food the enzymes are inactivated (denatured) and can no longer assist in the digestive (breaking down) process. Eating raw food is totally acceptable in some cases and quite unacceptable in others. We eat raw fruit and many raw vegetables, but less often do we eat raw meat, raw fish (not withstanding sushi), or raw pork. Eating uncooked rice is nearly a guaranteed trip to your dentist! So, obviously, we cook our food.

Here's where the problem occurs. Cooked food contains no enzymes because they have been destroyed. If you eat a meal consisting of a salad, a steak and a baked potato, there are likely enough food enzymes contained in the salad to digest it (break it down so your body can use its nutrients). But, there are no extra enzymes available to help digest the steak or the baked potato. Because the steak and potato are cooked, there are no FOOD ENZYMES available to digest them, so our body must take over and internally create the needed amount of DIGESTIVE ENZYMES to handle the digestive task.

The more we depend on our internally generated DIGESTIVE ENZYMES, the more stress we put on our body's systems and organs and the less time these systems and organs have for rebuilding and replacing worn out and damaged cells and tissue and keeping our immune system strong. Your body’s top priority is making sure it has enough nutrients to run its systems. This means digesting food and converting it into nutrients. There is no activity more important to the body than this. This takes a lot of energy and enzymes, particularly if the body must make most or all of these enzymes. Remember that no food can be digested without digestive enzymes.

Dr. DicQie Fuller, in her book The Healing Power of Enzymes, emphasizes the importance of enzymes for digestion: "Eighty percent of our body's energy is expended by the digestive process. If you are run down, under stress, living in a very hot or very cold climate, pregnant, or are a frequent air traveler, then enormous quantities of extra enzymes are required by your body. Because our entire system functions through enzymatic action, we must supplement our enzymes. Aging deprives us of our ability to produce necessary enzymes. The medical profession tells us that all disease is due to a lack or imbalance of enzymes. Our very lives are dependent upon them!"

Later in this article we will discuss which enzymes digest which type of food, whether I have an infinite supply of enzymes, what happens when I start to run low on digestive enzymes, what I can do to maintain my enzyme level and whether there are certain enzymes I can take for specific health conditions.

Which digestive enzymes digest food?

Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are the three main food groups that make up the bulk of our daily diet. A "balanced" diet means we consume the proper proportions of these three basic food groups on a daily basis. This balance, when combined with the assurance that we also get the essential nutrients, can help provide a healthy life — if we properly process and metabolize these nutrients. To do this we also need an adequate source of the major types of digestive enzymes: Proteases, Amylases and Lipases.

Let’s build a small chart and take a look at just what these food groups and enzymes are:

FOOD GROUP % OF DAILY ENZYME ENZYME FUNCTION
DIET CLASS
Proteins 20-25% Protease Digests Protein
Carbohydrates 50-60% Amylase Digests Carbohydrates
Fats 20-30% Lipase Digests Fats (Lipids)

There are numerous categories of digestive enzymes, but for the purpose of this discussion, we will cover the three primary classes of digestive enzymes that digest our food. [NOTE: generally speaking, enzymes end with the suffix "ase."]

If the proper QUANTITY and required TYPE of enzymes are not present, your body becomes TOXIC from the left over WASTE of incomplete digestion. This is the reason why most illnesses and diseases are initially a dietary mistake. This can be prevented and it can be reversed. It’s all a matter of having the right amount and the right kind of enzymes available at the right time to prevent your body from becoming a receptacle for pollution and waste — a receptacle that then breeds and harbors disease.

Do I have an infinite supply of enzymes?

No. Until recently, many within the scientific community labored under the misconception that the digestive enzymes in our body are constant and last forever; that they can be used and reused; that they never get old and never wear out.

Researchers now know that we lose digestive enzymes through sweat and body waste. Through constant use, enzymes lose their strength and ability to do their work. As we age, the organs responsible for producing our digestive enzymes become less efficient. Today's environmental pollution, overly processed fast foods, genetically modified foods, high anti-biotic content and microwave cooking can result in free radical damage, which lowers the body's effectiveness to produce enzymes. To offset this loss, we need to supplement our system with oral digestive enzymes. One such enzyme supplement is an organic greens, Bio 88+ (Plus).

What are some of the causes of low enzyme supply?

When our bodies are nutritionally out of balance, which may lead to chronic illness. Also, our digestive enzymes become depleted when we go on long-term restrictive diets which cut out one basic food group for too long a period, when we eat too many overcooked foods, when we eat foods that are laced with antibiotics, when we eat foods which have traces (or more) of artificial fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides.

Nor do those foods contain any systemic replenishing enzymes. Our body’s stock of beneficial organisms (metabolic and digestive enzymes) also becomes depleted when we are ill and must take antibiotics. In these instances we must have outside sources of enzyme replenishment.

What happens when we start to run low on enzymes?

Here's the bottom line. Many illnesses and poor health conditions are the result of a digestive malfunction causing toxemia inside the body. This malfunction is the result of insufficient quantities of Digestive Enzymes to properly digest and metabolize nutrients. Significant short- and long-term health problems could develop when these nutrients are not digested.

Some lifestyle problems like high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver problems, indigestion and heartburn, adult onset diabetes, fibromyalgia, migraines, PMS, even hyperactivity in children, often have their starting point in nutritional problems.

When our body is stressed by a shortage of digestive enzymes two things can happen and both are bad.

1.Because our body finally becomes so overworked it can't make enough enzymes to properly digest our food. As this undigested food begins to pollute our body, the chances of chronic disease increase.

2.Our body continues to work overtime to create the needed enzymes required to digest our food. This extra stress adversely affects our immune system and lowers our ability to protect ourselves from and fight off disease.

Supplemental digestive enzymes will deliver the necessary nutrients to fortify your body and can enhance your body's healing system, often resulting in improved overall health and vitality.

What can I do to restore and/or maintain my enzyme levels?

You don't need to be in this predicament and there are some ways to stay out of it. The digestive enzymes you need for the process of restoring and maintaining your health are available through several sources. One of them is the author’s website, at the bottom of this page. However, you are urged to follow the advice given in the closing paragraph.

Which special health conditions might benefit from enzyme treatment?

Here are some specific health problems or conditions which may benefit from specific enzyme treatment.

1. Chronic indigestion, heartburn, or gastric disorders (i.e., gastroenteritis).

2. Nervousness, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.

3. Irregularity, constipation and diarrhea.

4. Digesting fats (lipids) including whole milk, a situation often associated with high cholesterol, heart disease and obesity.

5. Weight problems, either high or low.

As you may be aware there are extensive studies and research on soy that have discovered remarkable and wide-ranging benefits to good health. Soy's beneficial health properties have proven successful in alleviating many hormonal-related issues (such as hot flashes), preventing bone density loss, reducing some cancer tumors, lowering cholesterol levels, and promoting cardiovascular health to name just a few. The problem with soy products (see digestive problems above) is that “good soy” has virtually all, worldwide, become contaminated with the Genetically Modified (GMO) versions.

I cannot emphasize too often nor too much the statement I have made many times in other health-related articles of recent vintage. We are all different in the chemical makeup of our bodies. Some of us will react differently to the same treatment for the same problem. This article is intended solely as educational in that there are alternative treatments and alternative remedies available for virtually every condition.

Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.

If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.

Author's Bio:

Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.

This article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Where Do Enzymes Come From?

Enzymes exist in all raw food. All raw foods, including meats, have some enzyme activity. For example, green bananas have amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch to glucose. In a number of days, the amylase converts the raw starch of the banana to sugar, which is why darkened bananas are so much sweeter tasting. Kiwis have an abundance of a protease known as actinidin, which is why you cannot make jello with fresh kiwis. The protease degrades gelatin protein such that it cannot ‘harden’ or set.

Keep in mind that we need to have up to four (4) pounds of enzymes, in at least a ratio of 3:1 (good to bad), in our “guts” in order to facilitate the proper breakdown of food as it passes through our system.

Where do enzymes go – what happens to them?

Cooking or other types of processing destroys enzyme activity. This is the basis for ‘canning’ of vegetables – the heat destroys the enzymes and this preserves the food. Food enzymes can survive the pH of the stomach (about 4.5 to 5.5) for some time and so can contribute to the digestion of food while in the stomach. Animals, including humans, produce the enzymes they need from amino acids. The more raw food you eat, the less digestive enzymes your body needs to produce. You can also take enzyme supplements, which come from animals, plants or microorganisms. Your body may recycle digestive enzymes from any source until they wear out. Enzymes in circulation perform many other tasks that assist in restoring and maintaining good health. Eventually, when these enzymes wear out, other enzymes break them down and the body uses the component amino acids for other purposes. They may also be excreted.

Natural “greens” products are created to supplement that process, the process of breaking down food into the basic nutritional units to provide our bodies with essential nourishment. There are several different “Greens” products on the market specifically to help the digestive process. One of these supplements is Bio88+ (Plus), a pure enzyme product designed specifically to aid in digestion.

The producers of Bio88+ (Plus) use only the very finest “certified” organic components in the making of their highly nutritious food product. In itself it provides virtually all of the added nutrition, in the form of vitamins and minerals, that you need in your diet in order to maintain excellent health. Bio88+ (Plus) is produced in a government supervised laboratory using an ancient Native North American fermentation process. Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

For the complete story of enzymes, download or request by email a copy of the eBook "Enzymes: The Science of Life", by Loring A. Windblad.

Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.

If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.


Author's Bio:

Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.

This article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Why We Need Enzyme Supplements

An Introduction to Enzymes

Nutrition is important stuff. Nutrition is where its all at. Proper nutrition insures our overall health. If we're eating all the right foods but our bodies cannot absorb the nutrition we're giving it, we're literally starving ourselves to death. If our "gut" does not contain the proper proportion of "good" enzymes to insure we get the nutrition we need, we'll become sickly and die.

Proper nutrition in this day and age of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and widespread air, water and land pollution, is tricky at best. Just in my lifetime we have gone from a near pristine world to one where pollution runs rampant.

The Mediterranean Sea, once abundant with life, has been dead since the 1950's. The air we breathe is being polluted by not only industry but by the infernal combustion engine to the point where the very air we breathe, which sustains life, became so polluted that pollution was detected at the peak of Mount Everest in the 1950's.

Major world cities, even in this 21st century "age of enlightenment" regarding our environment, such as Victoria, BC (yes, there are many more, mostly in Asia and Africa), pump both raw and nearly untreated sewage directly into the ocean that surrounds and sustains it.

With land, air and water pollution, and GMO's, rampant worldwide, an increasing world population competing for the little bit of nutrition we can provide, we need to be prepared to supplement our diets with the proper enzymes in order to insure maximum absorption of nutrients and good health because our bodies are getting the nutrition we need to maintain that health.

The producers of Bio88+ (Plus) use only the very finest “certified” organic food components in the making of their highly nutritious food product. In itself it provides virtually all of the added nutrition, in the form of vitamins and minerals, that you need in your diet in order to maintain excellent health. Bio88+ (Plus) is produced in a government supervised laboratory using an ancient Native North American fermentation process. Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

First, we need to have an understanding of just exactly what enzymes are and what they do for us.

Enzymes are proteins made by cells in our bodies and by all living organisms. They are specialized proteins that do work, such as synthesizing chemicals, rearranging molecules, adding elements to compounds, and breaking down compounds. Enzymes are protein catalysts. They cause biological reactions to occur under conditions that sustain life. Many types of enzymes exist and each type does one specific function. For an enzyme to work, the material it works upon must be present. If no such material is available to the enzyme, the enzyme performs no function. There are also metabolic enzymes in our body, but this discussion is limited to the digestive enzymes that help break down food.

We see in this description of enzymes that they break down compounds. In our gut – stomach and intestines – they help to break down food into basic nutritional bits our bodies can use for nourishment. Without this enzymic activity our bodies could not extract nutrition from food and we would wither and die. Let’s see exactly how enzymes work.

In general, enzymes work as catalysts of biochemical reactions. A catalyst increases or accelerates the rate of a reaction. The thousands of chemical reactions that occur in our body every second could not happen without enzymes to speed up these reactions. For example, a protein can be broken down into amino acids in the lab without the use of an enzyme, but to do so requires extreme temperatures, high pressure, or very strong acids; conditions not compatible with life. Even with these conditions, it often requires hours to complete the reaction in the lab. Enzymes, in this case a mixture of proteases, can complete this reaction within minutes in water at normal temperatures. Another unique aspect of enzymes is that they facilitate the reaction without being destroyed or changed in the process. Because of this, one enzyme molecule could theoretically change an infinite amount of substrate if given an infinite amount of time. Increasing the amount of enzyme decreases the time required for completing the process. If you double the number of enzyme molecules, you decrease the time for the reaction by half.

It is said that we need to have up to four (4) pounds of enzymes, in at least a ratio of 3:1 (good to bad), in our “guts” in order to facilitate the proper breakdown of food as it passes through our stomach, small intestine and large intestine, and provides nourishment to our bodies.

Natural “greens” products are created to supplement that process, the process of breaking down food into the basic nutritional units to provide our bodies with essential nourishment. One of those supplements is Bio88+ (Plus), a pure enzyme product designed specifically to aid in digestion.

The producers of Bio88+ (Plus) use only the very finest “certified” organic components in the making of their highly nutritious food product. In itself it provides virtually all of the added nutrition, in the form of vitamins and minerals, that you need in your diet in order to maintain excellent health. Bio88+ (Plus) is produced in a government supervised laboratory using an ancient Native North American fermentation process. Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

I cannot emphasize too often nor too much this statement: We are all different in the chemical makeup of our bodies. Some of us will react differently to the same treatment for the same problem. This article is intended solely as educational in that there are alternative treatments and alternative remedies available for virtually every condition.

Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.

If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.


Author's Bio:
Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.

This article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Use Digestive Enzymes to Reduce Hemorrhoid Inflammation

By: Rudy Silva

Using digestive enzymes when you have hemorrhoids is a good idea. Digestive enzymes help reduce inflammation, reduce fibrin, and clean the blood of foreign particles. These enzymes activities strengthen your immune system and give it more power to work on your hemorrhoids.

Bromelain

Bromelain is a digestive enzyme that is found in pineapple. It's capable of reducing inflammation and swelling and for this reason has been used to treat hemorrhoids.

Bromelain also activates a chemical that promotes the breakdown of fibrin. Fibrin is a chemical that repairs open wounds, internal wounds and weak tissue by creating fibrin deposits. If you are over 35, fibrin is not balanced with your body's enzymes. This results in excess fibrin deposits at inflamed locations, eventually causing more sickness and disease. Disease.

To balance and control excess fibrin activity, you need to take digestive or systemic enzymes. Systemic enzymes are enzymes that work throughout the body to attack blood impurities and dissolve fibrin.

As a supplement take 500-750 mg a day. You can also add fresh pineapple to your diet since it is high in fiber and other nutrients.

Digestive and Systemic Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are used to help you digest your food and improve your assimilation. Systemic enzymes are found deep into our body. They are in your tissues, organs, and cells where they help in all types of chemical reactions that your body is involved in.

Both types of these enzymes are available in capsules so you can easily supplement your diet. Digestive enzymes help to reduce the stress you get in the rectum when your food is not properly digested. Undigested food reaching the colon eventually leads to constipation.

Take a good digestive enzyme that you can get at health food store. Take 2 capsules with each meal.

Systemic enzymes help reduce swelling, inflammation, improve circulation, and speed the healing of tissue. One important fact about systemic enzymes is they eliminate fibrin, which is at center of most inflammatory conditions and illness.

Take systemic enzymes between meals. This allows them reach the small intestine and get absorbed into the blood stream where they can do their work.

Some systemic enzymes are enteric enzymes, which means they are coated so they will not dissolve in the stomach. This allows them to move into the small intestine where they will be absorbed into your blood stream.

The brand Vitalzyme contains serrapeptase, a systemic enzyme that is mix with other nutrients and enzymes. Just put Vitalzyme or serrapeptase into the goggle engine. This will bring in a flood of sites for you to chose a good systemic enzyme.

Copyright © 2005 Rudy Silva

About Rudy: Rudy Silva has a Physics degree from the University of San Jose California and is a Natural Nutritionist. He writes a newsletter called "Natural-Remedies-ThatWork.com" and he has written an ebook called "How to Relieve Your Constipation with 77 Natural Remedies." You can get more information on this ebook and more hemorrhoid remedies at this site www.hemorrhoid-remedies.for--you.info.