A Few Key Functions of Digestive Enzymes

Undigested food begins to ferment and rot in the intestines and colon, this decaying process leads to the buildup of harmful toxins which enter the rest of our body. These toxins can cause fatigue, pre-mature aging, and numerous degenerative diseases. Most of us have experienced this fatigue after a large meal. Nutrient absorption is hindered by undigested food that has stuck to our intestinal walls.Digestive enzymes help break down this undigested food.

Digestive enzymes may also help with obesity. Many health professionals believe that a low level of lipase in fatty tissue may contribute to obesity. If the lipase in the digestive enzyme supplement is not used up in the role of digestion during the meal it may be stored in the liver for future use such as digesting stored fat. This is crucial because of the correlation between obesity and Type II diabetes, hypertension, breast cancer and other prevalent American diseases. Digestive enzymes can play a vital role in improving the immune system by reducing metabolic stress on the digestive system. They may also help break down fatty deposits that build up around the inside of blood vessels, which restrict blood flow. When food is not completely broken down the undigested proteins, fats, and minerals can form uric acid crystals that may lead to kidney stones and joint pain.

Why We Need Digestive Enzymes

1. The body produces two types of enzymes, metabolic and digestive. When you eat cooked or processed foods, nearly all food enzymes are destroyed which forces the body to supply all of the needed digestive enzymes, which can overstress the pancreas and its ability to also produce metabolic enzymes (enzymes needed for all bodily functions). Food that is cooked over 118 degrees contains almost no functioning digestive enzymes.

2. Approximately one-third of the body’s energy is spent digesting food. People with poor digestion can expend even more energy trying to digest food properly. The less energy the body spends on digesting food the less hungry you will feel, and the more energy you will have.