The digestion of food is dependent on a wide range of enzymes; these enzymes are proteins produced by the body that is on a mission to breakdown food molecules and liquids into their smaller “building block” components, including fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, simple sugars, cholesterol and nucleic acids so they can be readily and rapidly absorbed through the gut wall and into the bloodstream.

Once the foods you consume are broken down into small molecules, the nutrients contained within them are absorbed through the wall of the small intestine into your blood and transported throughout your body where they are used for energy and to build and repair cells. What has not been absorbed moves through the colon as waste.

Your body relies on different types of enzymes to help break down the various types of foods that travel through your G.I. tract (e.g. Protease, Amylase Lipase and many more) and a deficiency in any of these enzymes can cause distress to the digestive tract which leads to stress in your gut and the cycle of unwellness begins.

As you age, the organs responsible for producing digestive enzymes sustain gradual, cumulative damage, which impairs their ability to function correctly. The body can become highly acidic, causing the destruction of the enzymes you are creating. Some diseases can target the organs responsible for producing digestive enzymes (celiac’s disease, pancreatic disorders). Poor diets consisting of processed foods that lack nutrients can also diminish digestive enzyme production. Stress (particularly pathological or harmful stress) can exacerbate the decline in enzyme production.

Digestive symptoms are often the first signs that food is not being broken down properly, and they can feed the “bad bacteria” in your gut. Also, undigested or poorly digested foods can gain control over inflammatory conditions, allergies and even eczema.  When things go wrong during the process of digestion, it affects not only your gut but your immune, hormonal and nervous systems as well

Should you take an enzyme?

Indigestion and Heartburn, Bloating, Gas and constipation, Nausea, Diarrhea, and Vomiting are all signs that you may want to consider a digestive enzyme!

Taking supplemental enzymes can help your body achieve better digestion and, ultimately, better nutrient absorption. The interesting thing about digestive enzymes is that they support the body’s enzyme function; they do not replace it, which means if your body is producing enzymes, it will continue to do so, and digestive supplements will provide added support.

NOW Solutions Digestive Enzymes for Better Health

When choosing a digestive enzyme, NOW Solutions digestive enzymes have you covered.  Their enzyme formulas are produced using units of activity ( GDU), which makes a truly effective enzyme formula.  The NOW supplements do not take the more ingredients, the better approach; it is not the number of ingredients that makes them effective. It’s the enzyme variety and their individual activity levels. A good enzyme formula should contain a variety of enzymes to help digest the various components in your diet (protein, fat, carbohydrates, legumes and more). A more comprehensive digestive enzyme supplement may also include a range of enzymes that are active at specific pH levels or enzymes that are active throughout a range of pH levels.

With NOW’s comprehensive selection of digestive enzyme supplements and a healthy, balanced diet it’s a lot easier to ensure you’re getting the enzymes your body needs to help maintain normal, healthy digestive function.