What digestive enzymes do
What makes an effective digestive enzyme supplement? Careful formulation and a wide spectrum diversification of enzymes. Enzymes are “one trick ponies”; each exists to do one job only. One enzyme will assist the body in breaking a food down to a certain extent and another picks up where that one left off, another picks up where that one left off and so on, until full break down (digestion) is achieved.
One enzyme cannot do another’s job so if you do not have sufficient enzymes to achieve complete digestion of your food then excess gas and stomach bloat can be the result. Also food will not be broken down into small enough particles for the nutrients in that food to be absorbed by the body. This can lead to fatigue and weight gain as the body sends hunger signals when it is deficient of nutrients. You may be eating enough, but poor break down of foods is not allowing you to obtain the full benefits of those foods. Probiotics assist enzymes in complete break down of foods to further alleviate abdominal bloating and intestinal gas pain.
No-Bloat’s 18 enzymes and what they do for you:
Protease enzymes occur naturally in all organisms. The 3 Proteases and Peptidase DPPIV (plus the Papain and Bromelain) which are in No-Bloat™, break down the proteins found in meats, poultry, seafood, beans, eggs, cheese and other dairy products like milk, assisting digestion and helping prevent bloating and gas. Many vegetables that we consume also contain proteins that are broken down by Protease, Peptidase DPPIV, Papain and Bromelain; such as sweet corn, peas, asparagus, cauliflower and broccoli to name a few. Soy products (which are sometimes classified as vegetable) contain high levels of protein that must be broken down by protein enzymes as well. Grains also contain hard to digest proteins like Gluten, which are broken down by protein enzymes. 1,2,3 *
No-Bloat™ Proteases can also digest the protein based cell walls of harmful organisms in the body and break down toxins. Protease not used for digestion can be absorbed into the blood stream where they help clear cellular debris in the body, remove unwanted protein from the circulatory system and support immune function by bonding with blood plasma protein. These benefits can take an enormous load off of the body. Below is a list of the 18 vegetarian digestive enzymes in No-Bloat™ and their individual role in completing the digestion process.
Protease 1: Proteases are protein-splitting enzymes. This protease shows maximum activity in lower acid environments (higher ph) of the upper stomach and intestines.
Protease 2: This protease shows maximum activity in lower acid environments (higher ph) of the upper stomach and intestines.
Aspergillopepsin: Acid protease, this protease shows maximum activity in high acid environments (low ph) of the lower stomach.
Studies have shown this enzyme when combined with Peptidase DPPIV (listed below) and other protein enzymes can break down Gluten protein which may help those with mild sensitivity to Gluten. 1,2,3 *
Amylase: Responsible for breaking down carbohydrates, such as starch and sugars found in grains, potatoes, bread, fruits and vegetables and snack foods.
Amylase is also considered a natural antihistamine and may help with hay fever, allergies, sinus conditions and skin eruptions.
Lipase: Breaks down fats found in meat, many dairy products, oils, nuts, eggs, and high fat fruit like avocado. Lipase helps the body turn fat to energy, and to absorb fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E and K. Additionally high fat foods can be a cause of indigestion, gas, flatulence, bloating, IBS symptoms and a feeling of being excessively full if not enough Lipase is present to break the fats down.
Proper break down of fats into energy the body can use can help prevent the body from storing fat, and thus help with weight management. Body cells use Lipase to break down stored fat as well.
Cellulase: Breaks down cellulose plant fiber and helps make nutrients from fruits and vegetables available to the body. Cellulase also breaks down chitin, the fiber found in the cell wall of harmful Candida yeast. Cellulase is not produced by the human body which is why many people have trouble digestion cellulose and plant fiber. Herbivores like cows have large amounts of anaerobic bacteria in their digestive tracts which produce Cellulase allowing them to digest cellulose in the grass and hay they eat. Studies have shown that cows given an additional supplement of Cellulase get more out of their food and produce more milk and have less bloating.
Humans do not have these anaerobic bacteria to produce Cellulase so the cellulose fibers are digested by the bacteria from the large intestine through fermentation. Fermentation causes the release of gas pain and bloat causing gasses (the remainder of cellulose people eat is passed in bowel movements undigested). Taking Cellulase supplements allows the body to break down the cellulose and help prevent this gas and bloat causing process. Cellulase also allows us to access the energy and nutritional value in fibrous foods which leads to greater uptake of nutrients from meals that contain plant fiber. This can in turn lead to the body signaling that its nutritional needs are met, which can reduce hunger feelings and lower food consumption, leading to weight loss.
Glucoamylase: Responsible for quickly breaking down carbohydrates and starches into glucose which can provide energy for the body. Without adequate levels of Glucoamylase carbs and starches can linger in the digestive system providing food for bacteria and yeast and creating abdominal bloating, indigestion, gas and flatulence.
The faster the body can break down food and turn it into nutrients and energy the less gas will be produced. Glucoamylase, by improving digestion has been shown to reduce the effects of IBS and other gastrointestinal problems. It has an anti-inflammatory aspect and may help reduce food allergies.
Invertase: Breaks down sucrose (table sugar) into simple sugars (fructose and glucose). It is important to quickly break down sugars so that they will not remain for too long in the digestive tract, feeding bacteria and yeast cells and causing gas production, a feeling of being overly full and bloating.
Invertase is the natural immune system boosting, anti-bacterial and antioxidant component of natural honey. Invertase is also used to relieve symptoms of digestive disorders.
Alpha Galactosidase: Or AGS a-Galactosidase, is the only enzyme in Beano®. It breaks down complex fibers like those found in beans and other legumes, soy products, roots, raw vegetables and seeds which can trigger gas, indigestion, heartburn and abdominal bloating. It also breaks down sugar-fat complexes found attached to the carbohydrates in those foods. These sugar-fat complexes are hard to digest and when they are not properly broken down they will begin to ferment in the digestive system producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide gasses. Bloating, gas pain and stomach discomfort can be avoided by depriving bacteria of the fuel they need to produce gas.
Beta-Glucanase: Digests fibers and cellulose plant walls associated with grains, mushrooms and yeast such as Candida. The human body does not produce Beta-Glucanase so it’s important to supplement it in your diet. Because it breaks down hard to digest food it allows more nutrients to be available to the body and thus helps avoid digestive problems like malabsorption. It provides a one-two punch in the reduction of gas and bloat by breaking down foods that might otherwise ferment in the digestive tract (feeding yeast and bacteria which produce gasses) it also helps breaks down the outer layer of yeast cell walls. It’s an important factor in the fight against bad bacteria and yeast overgrowths, two of the most prolific causes of indigestion, heartburn, flatulence and stomach bloat.
Pectinase: Breaks down carbohydrates such as pectin found in many fruits and vegetables. Works with Cellulase and Hemicellulase for complete breakdown of plant foods allowing for greater availability of nutrients from these foods. Pectinase helps the good bacteria in your digestive system by providing prebiotic nourishment and by fostering a desirable PH environment for beneficial bacteria. To put it another way, Pectinase helps the good bacteria in your system and in the probiotic supplements you take and the probiotics in the food you eat (such as yogurt), flourish. Some probiotic brands add synthetic fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) to feed the good bacteria which can cause gas. Pectinase allows the release of natural FOS which does not cause gas.
Pectinase can also help make/keep the colon lining healthy and aid in maintaining proper permeability of the digestive tract which can help us absorb nutrients from our foods and prevent the absorption of allergens.
Xylanase: Breaks down the type of fiber known as hemicelluloses, a group of complex carbohydrates that contribute to the structure of the cell walls of plants. Another enzyme not produced by humans so we only get it from supplements. By combining Xylanse with the Cellulase, Hemicellulase and Pectinase No-Bloat™ gives your body the tools to break insoluble fiber down into soluble fiber, which can feed probiotics and release more nutrients from the plant foods we eat. Insoluble fibers are a chief source of gas pain and bloating as the body does not digest them, so they ferment in the bowels and create gasses.
Phytase: Breaks down phytic acid (phytate) found in tubers like potatoes and yams, legumes like peanuts and soy, seeds and grains (especially the bran portion of grain) and some fruits and vegetables. Soy products like textured vegetable protein (TCP) are found in many dishes and processed foods. Because phytic acid is in so many foods, most meals that Americans eat are going to contain phytic acid from some source. Phytase and its ability to break down Phytic acid is very important because phytic acid has an enzyme blocking ability that decreases the efficiency of the essential enzymes Amylase, Alpha-Glucosidase and protein enzymes manufactured by the body. In other words phytic acid can reduce the efficiency of other digestive enzymes. Because it is found in so many common meal items and because it is an enzyme inhibitor a good quality enzyme blend must contain Phytase. Humans do not produce Phytase but it can be added with supplements like No-Bloat™. A good probiotic like Probiotic Mega Blend™ contains beneficial bacteria that can also produce Phytase so it’s important to take a daily probiotic supplement with enzymes as well.
Phytic acid (phytate) contributes to malnutrition, tooth decay and digestive problems because it binds to minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc, that are essential to the body. Through this binding, phytic acid renders these minerals insoluble or un-absorbable by the body. Phytase breaks down the phytic acid and releases these nutrients for the body to absorb and gain health from.
Phytase is important for bone health and reduces toxic build-up and accumulations in the digestive tract.
Hemicellulase: Breaks down hard-degradable carbohydrates which can slow down the digestive process. If the digestive process is slowed by these hard-degradable carbohydrates it leaves greater opportunity for gas and bloating to occur. This is another enzyme that provides a prebiotic boost to the digestive system by unlocking nutrients that feed good bacteria that our bodies might not otherwise be able to access. Hemicellulase also helps us make available more nutrients from the foods we eat allowing us to get the most benefit from every calorie we consume. This is another enzyme that the human body does not produce.
Lactase: Breaks down lactose (milk sugars) in dairy products. Without Lactase the body is unable to realize the fantastic nutritional properties of dairy foods. As we age our bodies produce less Lactase and some people stop all together and are classified as “lactose intolerant”. With inadequate levels of Lactase there is no way for the body to fully break down the dairy and thus it arrives in the colon undigested where it will be fermented by bacteria, producing carbon dioxide and hydrogen gasses and organic acids. All of which cause painful gas, stomach bloat, abdominal distention and symptoms of IBS.
Bromelain: Breaks down proteins. Bromelain is derived from pineapple plants and like Papain is a broad protein digesting enzyme as it has properties of both exo and endo-proteinas and is effective over a very broad PH range. This is what makes it effective against many different types of proteins. Diets in the US are very heavy on protein and most of it has been cooked so the enzymes in the food have been killed, which can make enzyme supplements very important to digestion. Weight loss diets that involve reducing or eliminating carbohydrates and promote a high intake of protein can be very effective but can burden digestive systems. No-Bloat™ contains 6 different protein digesting enzymes to help ensure proper break down of these foods.
Protein enzymes like Bromelain can be absorbed into the blood stream where they can clean the blood, reduce plaque deposits in the arteries and generally provide an anti-inflammatory response to help relieve joint pain and swollen tissues.
Bromelain is a natural anti-fungal which helps reduce Candida yeast populations by breaking down the biofilms formed by large concentrations of pathogenic fungus like Candida. 4 This can also have a beneficial effect for those sensitive to Gluten as Candida overgrowth may be a trigger for Gluten intolerance.*
Papain: Is a protein digesting enzyme. Papain is derived from unripe papayas and is a natural anti-oxidant helping to protect the body against cellular damage caused by free radicals, reduce bacterial infection and can reduce allergic responses to foods such as Gluten.* Papain is a broad protein digesting enzyme as it has properties of both exo and endo-proteinas, is effective over a very broad PH range and is very stable even at elevated temperatures. It provides support for the stomach, intestines and pancreas by reducing the burden of digestion on the body. Papain aids in cleaning the bowels and can help those with minor Gluten sensitivity by helping to break down the protein component of Gluten.*
Papain has anti-inflammatory properties and is used to make medicines that reduce pain and swelling. It is used as a digestive aid and a treatment for parasitic worms. It is used as a natural meat tenderizer because it has the ability to break down the tough bands between fibers in muscle tissue, making tough cuts of meats tender
Papain and Bromelain have antifungal activity and combined can be a powerful weapon in fighting Candida yeast infections (Candida albicans). 5
Peptidase DPPIV: A protease is a protein-splitting enzyme that breaks down a long protein into smaller chains called peptides, or a short amino acid chain. Peptidase is a protein-splitting enzyme that breaks those peptides down into individual amino acids. Peptidase is found naturally in yeasts, plants, certain microorganisms, and digestive juices.
Studies have shown this enzyme when combined with Aspergillopepsin (listed above) and other protein enzymes can break down Gluten protein which may help those with mild sensitivity to Gluten. * Peptidase is used the make Gluten free breads and other foods. 1,2,3
* This is not an indication that Celiac patients can eat Gluten or even people with moderate to strong sensitivities to Gluten. No-Bloat may help those with mild sensitivities avoid some negative effects of Gluten.
References: (1) A Food-Grade Enzyme Preparation with Modest Gluten Detoxification Properties, Plos One research publications available at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0006313 (2) Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4923703/ (3) The Role of Enzyme Supplementation in Digestive Disorders Dr. Roxas, ND available at: http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/13/4/307.pdf (4) Bromelain is an accelerator of phagocytosis, respiratory burst and Killing of Candida albicans by human granulocytes and monocytes available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11410400 (5) Effect of Amylase, Papain and Pepsin enzyme solutions on Candida biofilm formed on acrylic resin plates available at: http://jrds.ir/article-1-355-en.html Other references: (1) Cichoke, Anthony J. (1999). The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy. Avery Publishing Group: New York. (2) Santillo, Humbart. Food Enzymes: Missing Link to Radiant Health.
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