Still reading Outlander (original book)
I CAN’T GET ONE MAN–how does she rate two??? Course only one is that interesting and hot and ….etc, etc….
Today we’re looking at Digestive health.
Enzymes are “Biologically active proteins that play a key role in every function in the human body.” (Healing Edge by Kim Erickson/May 2014). “Think of enzymes as tools, with each having a slightly different function.” (EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ENZYMES/Tom Bohager).
“Digestive enzymes are enzymes that break down polymeric macromolecules into their smaller building blocks, in order to facilitate their absorption by the body. Digestive enzymes are found in the digestive tracts of animals (including humans) and in the traps of carnivorous plants, where they aid in the digestion of food…” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digestive_enzyme
| Enzyme | Where produced |
|---|---|
| Amylase | Salivary glands, pancreas, small intestine |
| Protease | Stomach, pancreas, small intestine |
| Lipase | Pancreas, small intestine |
Overall, this means that:
- Amylase catalyses the breakdown of starch into sugars in the mouth and small intestine
- Proteases catalyse the breakdown of proteins into amino acids in the stomach and small intestine
- Lipases catalyse the breakdown of fats and oils into fatty acids and glycerol in the small intestine
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_edexcel/common_systems/digestionrev3.shtml
In considering whether taking supplemental digestive enzymes may be beneficial, one should recognize that the term “digestive enzymes” is a catchall that includes a variety of compounds with different purposes—similar to “vitamins” or “probiotics.” Just as we can’t draw sweeping generalizations about whether taking vitamins is beneficial (it would depend on which vitamin in which individual), so too with digestive enzymes: It depends on which enzyme and in what population. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/04/23/digestive-enzymes-help-or-hype
…digestive enzymes, (are) used when the pancreas cannot make or does not release enough digestive enzymes into the gut to digest the food. Depending on the amount of enzymes in your product, it may be used for indigestion, as a supplement, or as replacement therapy (e.g., in chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, cancer of the pancreas, after surgery on the pancreas or gut). Some supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details about the brand you use. The FDA has not reviewed (these) product(s) for safety or effectiveness. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-673/digestive-enzymes-oral/details
…some alternative medicine practitioners claim that digestive enzyme supplements not only relieve digestive problems, such as ulcers and food allergies, but also strengthen the immune system, improve circulation, ease sore throat pain, aid weight loss, and relieve hay fever, ulcers, and rheumatoid arthritis. to date these claims have not been substantiated.
The most important digestive enzymes in malabsorption diseases are usually fat-digesting enzymes called lipases. Proteolytic enzymes can digest, as well as destroy, lipases. Therefore, people with enzyme deficiencies may want to avoid proteolytic enzymes in order to spare lipases.54 If this is not possible (as most enzyme products contain both), people with malabsorption syndromes should talk with their doctor to see if their condition warrants finding products that contain the most lipase and the least protease. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2840008#hn-2840008-side-effects
Bromelain is generally regarded as being safe and side effect-free when taken as directed. However, some people may be allergic to bromelain as it is derived from pineapple. Bromelain is not recommended for people with active gastric or duodenal ulcers. People taking anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin should not take supplementary bromelain without consulting their physician. http://www.worldhealth.net/news/bromelain_pineapple_enzyme/
Digestive Enzyme is contraindicated in conditions like Hypersensitivity.
and some stomach health collectibles:
“I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have.” (Jamie Fraser)