Got Enzymes?

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Are You Getting the Digestive Enzymes You Need?

People often associate digestive enzymes with wanting to lose those stubborn extra pounds and other weight issues. While digestive enzymes do certainly play a role in the number on the scale and how you gain or lose weight, they also have an impact on other ailments . . . some of which may surprise you.

Did You Know?

Most people don’t realize that digestive enzymes, or the lack of enough of them, can be to blame for several different health issues, such as:

¥    GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease)
¥    Indigestion
¥    Crohn’s disease
¥    Food allergies
¥    Acne
¥    Rosacea
¥    Eczema
¥    Arthritis
¥    Sinusitis

If you suffer from any of the above, or if you’ve been experiencing unexplained symptoms such as gas and stomach upset, lack of energy, and even ulcers, then it’s possible that you are deficient in digestive enzymes.

What Do Digestive Enzymes Do?
Your body needs a number of essential nutrients just to keep your systems functioning properly.  You get these essential nutrients from the foods you eat and the water that you drink; all of which gets broken down, absorbed and transported through your blood stream.  Enzymes work to break the nutrients down so that your body can absorb them and reap their rewards.  When you aren’t getting sufficient enzymes, this slows the entire process – which can lead to the problems that we just talked about.

If you’re wondering whether or not your body is supplying a sufficient amount of enzymes, consider that over time, your body’s ability to produce enzymes slows down considerably. So, chances are you could use a digestive enzyme supplement in your diet.

Getting Your Enzymes
While you should be able to get digestive enzymes from the food you eat, most of what people are eating these days is cooked and/or processed  . . . which, to put it bluntly, sucks all of the good stuff out of what you eat!  You can add to your enzyme supply by incorporating more raw fruits into your diet or by choosing the right supplements.
However, knowing how to choose the right digestive enzyme supplements can be tricky since there are 14 or more essential enzymes and hundreds of brands offering each!  A good start is to speak to your healthcare provider about your specific needs based on your symptoms and current diet.  You can then choose a specific digestive enzyme or as many as you need.

There are also “mega-enzyme” supplements available that include several, or even all, of the different types of enzymes in one.  But caution should be used with these super-supplements as there’s no need to take something you don’t need more of.  Do your homework and speak to a holistic or healthcare professional to help you make the right choice.