All About Digestive Enzymes
Not everyone
should be taking digestive enzyme supplements; and not all of them are created
equal.
As a
practitioner, I find that many people with digestive issues want to jump
straight into using a supplement. And many times I would rather try other
strategies first. Not to mention, that some supplements can be harmful if used
inappropriately.
So, let’s
dive into a few of the common digestive enzymes, what they do, and who should
NOT take them.
What are
digestive enzymes?
Technically,
“enzymes” are compounds that help critical biochemical reactions to happen in
your body. These reactions can be anything, from making neurotransmitters like
serotonin, to burning food for energy, to breaking down food we eat into
smaller pieces that our guts can absorb.
Oh, and they
all end with “ase”.
As I just
hinted, “digestive enzymes” are specifically those enzymes we use for
digestion. They’re enzymes that our digestive system naturally makes and
secretes when we eat.
Now, all of
the “macronutrients” we eat (carbs, protein & fat) need to be broken down
into their individual (smaller) parts so that we can properly absorb and digest
them. They’re just too big otherwise, and if we don’t absorb them properly, we
can get symptoms of fatigue, malnutrition, digestive distress, or a host of
other symptoms.
It is these
individual (smaller) parts that our body amazingly rearranges and uses to
create other larger molecules that our body needs.
The most
common digestive enzymes you’ll see on product labels are:
●
Amylase - Helps to break down starch into its sugars.
●
alpha-Galactosidase - Helps to break down specific
“fermentable carbohydrates” into its sugars.
●
Lactase - Helps to break down lactose into its sugars.
●
Protease - Helps to break down protein into its amino
acids.
●
Bromelain and/or Papain - Help to break down protein
into its amino acids.
●
Lipase - Helps to break down fats into its lipids.
Who should
consider taking digestive enzymes?
I would
always recommend that you see a qualified health care practitioner for an
expert opinion on whether your issues can be related to digestion, and which,
if any, supplements can help you.
In general,
the most common digestive symptoms that enzymes *may* help with are bloating,
cramping, and/or diarrhea. Particularly if it happens after eating certain
foods (think lactose-intolerance symptoms after eating dairy).
One reason
for these symptoms can be that food particles are not broken down properly, and
the larger pieces travel further down the digestive tract to the microbiota
where those little critters start breaking them down themselves. And this is
definitely troublesome for certain people.
Don’t get me
wrong, a healthy gut microbiota is absolutely essential for good health. And
more and more research is showing just how it can affect not only our
digestion, but also our immune system, and even our mood.
What do I
need to know? - Medical conditions
Of course,
you should read the label of any products you take, and take them as directed,
especially if they’re not specifically recommended for you by your health care
practitioner who knows your history.
Here are two
critical things to be aware of:
1 - Digestive
enzymes that break down carbohydrates into sugars are not recommended for
diabetics, or pregnant/breastfeeding women.
This is because taking them breaks down more carbohydrates into sugars than your body normally would; so, anyone at risk of blood sugar issues should take caution.
2 - When it
comes to enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids, there are a few
people who should avoid them because of potential interactions. That is if you
have an ulcer, or are taking blood-thinners or anti-inflammatories, or if
you’re having surgery.
The reason is
because the digestive enzymes that break down protein are thought to cause or
worsen ulcers, as well as have the ability to “thin” the blood and prevent
normal clotting.
What do I
need to know? - Possible Side effects
Using
digestive enzyme supplements for a prolonged period of time may well justify an
appointment with a knowledgeable practitioner. There may be strategies other
than daily supplementation that can serve you better.
If you find
that your symptoms get worse, or even if they don’t get better, you should
probably stop using them.
Allergies are
always a possiblity, so if you know or suspect you’re allergic, then you should
avoid them.
And, as
always, keep supplements away from children.
Before
considering a digestive enzyme supplement
You shouldn’t
just jump to supplementing with digestive enzymes without a proper diagnosis,
or trying a few strategies first.
My first
recommendation for digestive distress would be to relax more, eat slower, and
chew more thoroughly. This helps to break down food and can put less stress on
your digestive tract.
The second
step would be to try eliminating certain troublesome foods from your diet
(dairy & gluten, for example) and see if that helps.
Conclusion:
While many
supplements are safe products, they’re not all for everyone.
I recommend
that you:
●
Read your labels carefully (who should take them, how
to take them, when to stop taking them).
●
If you have a medical condition or are taking
medications speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
●
If you want expert advice on whether a specific
supplement is for you, speak with a qualified health care practitioner.
Recipe
(food containing bromelain & papain): Tropical (digestive) smoothie
Serves 1
1 cup
pineapple, diced
1 cup papaya,
diced
1 banana,
chopped
1 cup coconut
milk
ice if
desired
Put all
ingredients(except ice) into the blender and blend. Add ice if desired.
Serve &
enjoy!
Tip: The levels of enzymes in whole pineapple and papaya
aren’t as concentrated as taking them in a supplement; so if you’re not
allergic to these delicious fruits, you can try this smoothie.
Dedicated To Your Success,
John Heary, CFT, SFN, PFTS, MMACC, CUSC, CCFT
Certified Fitness Trainer
Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition
Certified Physique and Figure Trainer Specialist
Certified Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach
Certified Underground Strength Coach
Certified Fitranx Instructor
Certified TRX Instructor
Certified Corporate Fitness Trainer
Certified Spartan SGX Coach
(716) 545-4090
References:
Natural
Medicines Database, Bromelain, Papain,
Retrieved January 21, 2017 from https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com
No comments:
Post a Comment