Many people struggle with digestive issues. In fact, digestive health is easily one of the major concerns when it comes to individuals in their thirties, forties, and beyond. Part of the problem is the rampant use of PPI medications. The issues surrounding these medications, such as Nexium and Prilosec, is that they are linked to a 25 percent increase in death risk. Therefore, it becomes essential to figure out what other options are available. Fortunately, for many, digestive enzymes may very well be the answer.
In order to better understand what enzymes really are, it is essential to not only know how an enzyme works, but also the specific function of each individual enzyme. Enzymes are proteins that form naturally inside the human body or are introduced naturally to our stomach through a diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables. They have numerous functions that they must perform within the body, but two of the most important functions include metabolism and digestion.
How Digestive Enzymes Function
The function of an enzyme is to achieve a specific task within the body. It is important to remember here that all enzymes are unique. As a result, they are all tasked with performing a very specific function. In other words, one enzyme is not capable of performing the tasks of another. Some are designed specifically to break down or bind molecules, or it may involve something else entirely. It really comes down to the enzyme in question and the specific tasks that it was designed to do.
In order to break things down even further so that it is easier to understand, it is prudent to examine the various enzymes that break down proteins as well as the enzyme that is responsible for breaking down fat. The enzyme, lipase breaks down fat, ultimately turning it into a substance called glycerol, along with fatty acids. By the same token, an enzyme called protease breaks down proteins, turning them into amino acids that can then be used for energy.
These two enzymes often work hand-in-hand in order to create energy through a combination of different sources. Of course, these are not the only enzymes in play. Sugar and starch is broken down by an enzyme called amylase, something that is essential for physical health and overall body function. By better understanding the role these enzymes play, it is easier to understand what happens when the enzymes are not being produced at the levels that they once were.
Benefits of Digestive Enzymes
There are many benefits associated with digestive enzymes, but most medical professionals agree that there are three main benefits that must be recognized in almost all cases. First and foremost, digestive enzymes help the body break down sugars and proteins more effectively. This leads to an overall improvement in physical health, not to mention the production of energy and in some cases, it could potentially help ward off diseases later on.
Next, digestive enzymes reduce symptoms of both Irritable Bowel Syndrome and acid reflux, two of the major problems that PPI’s are typically prescribed for. By reducing these issues, PPI’s can be prescribed less, thereby reducing the potential increase in death risk that is commonly associated with their consumption.
Last but certainly not least, digestive enzymes reduce stress on the GI tract. This can help people who have what is commonly referred to as leaky gut disease, but it can also help individuals who don’t suffer from that particular problem by allowing the GI tract to become healthier and better able to function on its own.
Obviously, all of these things can help an individual who is struggling with any type of digestive disorder get back on track. This is even more important when one considers the fact that in many cases, a lot of very serious diseases such as cancer actually begin in the gut.
Health Begins In The Gut
It makes sense when the fact is considered that individuals who have digestive issues are not capable of expelling waste very effectively. As this waste accumulates inside the body, it can often become toxic to the body itself. This can cause a whole host of problems ranging from chronic and serious diseases, to an overall decrease in physical well-being, and even cancer.
Even more alarming, is that most people have an appreciable drop off in enzyme production before they hit the age of 30. This can explain why so many individuals that are in the prime of their lives are having difficulty with digestive issues, seeking relief in practically every location, often without finding it. The truth is, most people are looking in the wrong places.
Digestive enzymes can even help people lose weight. In fact, overall physical health and weight loss are tied together when it comes to enzyme production, especially for those individuals who are no longer producing enzymes naturally at the same level they should be. Weight loss can be achieved through enzyme supplementation because the better one’s body eliminates waste, the easier it is to lose weight.
The Simple Fix
Because many people need enzyme supplements by the age of 27, weight loss can often be increased by taking digestive enzyme supplements that are plant-based. In other words, not only will an individual who has been struggling with digestive issues likely feel better, but there is real potential for weight loss, improved levels of energy, and an overall healthier lifestyle by simply increasing digestive enzymes with the right supplements.
It may seem like a simple fix or something that is too good to be true, but the reality of the situation is that taking digestive enzyme supplements can make a real difference in one’s health.