| Constipation... indigestion... heartburn... irregularity... | | | | useful because of they aid digestion throughout the |
| bloating... gas... intestinal and gastric discomfort. These | | | | entire digestive process. These enzymes cannot be |
| maladies are prevalent in our present society and | | | | made like synthetic vitamins and minerals, and must be |
| could be the symptoms of a fundamental deficiency | | | | grown in plant form and extracted through a |
| that's easily and often overlooked. | | | | laboratory process. |
| At our body's most basic level of function, enzymes | | | | Dr. Peter Rothchild, M.D. a world-renowned researcher |
| play an essential and critical role. Because enzymes | | | | and Nobel Prize nominee in physics writes, "Evidence |
| must be present before any chemical reaction can | | | | of the effectiveness of enzymes taken orally is |
| take place, our bodies cannot exist without enzymes. | | | | beginning to overcome skeptism. Many of these |
| We can eat a healthy diet and take all the vitamins, | | | | studies show enzymes, when taken orally, |
| minerals, and hormones we want, but without the | | | | demonstrate benefits against circulating immune |
| proper amount of enzymes, our bodies are incapable | | | | complexes, rheumatic disorders, and acute immune |
| of breaking down, absorbing, and using the important | | | | disease."2 |
| nutrients. In many cases the excellent (and costly) | | | | Why hasn't there been more publicized information |
| supplements we take simply pass through our | | | | about enzymes? |
| systems whole and intact, without being used.* | | | | Dr. DicQie Fuller explains, "Although enzyme |
| Dr. DicQie Fuller, author of The Healing Power of | | | | biochemistry has been the subject of intensive study, |
| Enzymes, states, "The importance of proper digestion | | | | the role of enzymes in supplementation and therapy is |
| is mind boggling. Every function must be perfectly | | | | not widespread knowledge. There are not yet enough |
| synchronized with every other function. When we lack | | | | knowledgeable people around to supply the necessary |
| a particular enzyme, vitamin, or mineral, the resulting | | | | information. Yet the healing power of enzymes has |
| imbalance causes disease. If you have digestive | | | | been documented for decades."3 |
| problems, you will have trouble rebuilding cells, which | | | | How do I know if I am enzyme-deficient? |
| leads to an array of health disorders. You may think it | | | | Symptoms of poor digestion are good indicators: burps |
| is too simplistic to conclude that illness is caused by | | | | and belches, excessive gas, heartburn, nausea, |
| inadequate digestion, but I am convinced this is true."1 | | | | constipation, feeling tired after eating, or an allergic |
| What role do enzymes play in my digestive system? | | | | reaction to particular foods. Also, certain food cravings |
| Digestive enzymes function as catalyst agents in our | | | | or foods you eat the most-caffeine, chocolate, refined |
| body's digestive process that enable us to experience | | | | sugars, and cooked and processed foods-could be |
| good health. Proper digestion requires four major and | | | | clues to an enzyme-related problem.* |
| three minor enzymes:* | | | | Are there products available that contain essential |
| Amylase - for the digestion of carbohydrates and | | | | enzymes? |
| starches. Improper digestion creates gas and | | | | In addition to digestive enzymes in supplement forms |
| discomfort. | | | | (pills and capsules), a small number of nutritional |
| Protease - for the digestion of proteins. Improper | | | | supplement companies offer products that are |
| digestion causes indigestion and toxicity. | | | | formulated to contain and provide essential enzymes. |
| Lipase - for the digestion of fats; also assists in | | | | One such company, Vitacorp International, has |
| balancing fatty acids. Improper digestion creates | | | | collaborated with Dr. Fuller in the development of their |
| pungent odors and poor cholesterol balance. | | | | line of Tim Brown's Blitz Nutritional Products-Cookie |
| Cellulase - for the digestion of cellulose (fiber found in | | | | Bars, Energy Drink, and Chewable Supplements. |
| vegetables and other plant materials). Improper | | | | Other Vitacorp products that contain enzymes include |
| digestion leaves wax like residue in the small intestines, | | | | Vi-Gest, Coral Calcium+, Naturflex Joint Support, |
| contributing to absorption problems. | | | | Vita-Che, VitaOne, Vitamarin, VitaMen, VitaWoman, |
| Lactase - for the digestion of milk sugar lactose. | | | | and Co-Enzyme Q10. CellRich contains bromelaine, a |
| Improper digestion prevents the breakdown of lactose | | | | potent enzyme in the Protease family and VitaGreens |
| resulting in digestive problems and lactose-related | | | | and Limu Plus contain naturally occurring plant |
| allergies. | | | | enzymes. For more information on these products, go |
| Sucrase and Maltese - lesser known enzymes that | | | | to the Vitacorp Product Index. Remember, using |
| break down food sugars. | | | | Vi-Gest on a regular basis (with meals and between) |
| How does my body obtain enzymes? | | | | can help maintain vital enzyme levels. |
| Enzymes are energized protein molecules that, in a | | | | How can I find out more about enzymes and related |
| perfect world, can be obtained in two ways: Our | | | | topics? |
| bodies make them (metabolic enzymes) or we get | | | | A good starting point is Dr. Fuller's book: The Healing |
| them through the food we eat (food enzymes). When | | | | Power of Enzymes. Dr. Fuller believes that "no matter |
| these two natural sources are compromised, we can | | | | which way you [come] to read about enzymes, you |
| obtain the enzymes we need through supplementation. | | | | are entitled to a clear explanation of how they work |
| What could cause enzyme deficiencies in my body? | | | | and why they are important."4 |
| Age and high stress negatively impact our body's | | | | Adapted from The Healing Power of Enzymes, |
| ability to produce metabolic or endogenous enzymes. | | | | copyright 1998 by Dr. DicQie Fuller. Published by Forbes |
| The older we get, the less efficient our bodies become | | | | Custom Publishing, New York, NY. Dr. Fuller, the |
| in producing enzymes. An older adult simply does not | | | | Founder and President of Transformation Enzyme |
| manufacture as many enzymes as a young person. | | | | Corporation, holds a Ph.D in Nutrition and Health |
| When we're under a lot of stress and run down, our | | | | Sciences. With over 20 years of clinical experience |
| bodies require a substantially larger amount of | | | | specializing in enzyme therapy and nutrition, she is |
| enzymes. | | | | actively involved in researching the health benefits of |
| Food or exogenous enzymes exists in food that's in its | | | | enzyme supplementation. Dr. Fuller has published |
| raw state. However the cooking, freezing, and food | | | | extensively, including articles on the use of enzymes in |
| manufacturing and altering processes destroy these | | | | nutrition, body typing, glandular therapy, and appetite |
| enzymes. So while your taste buds are satisfied, the | | | | and weight control. |
| rest of your body, particularly your digestive system, is | | | | For more information about the Vitamark Products, |
| not getting what it needs. Unless you are a child who | | | | please go to: |
| eats only raw foods, you are at risk of being enzyme | | | | # These statements have not been evaluated by the |
| deficient.* | | | | Food and Drug Administration. This product is not |
| What are supplemental digestive enzymes? | | | | intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any |
| Supplemental digestive enzymes can be either plant- | | | | disease. |
| or animal-derived. Generally, plant enzymes are most | | | | |