Enzymes are the sparks of life. Nearly every action that takes place within the body, including digestion, immunity, and cellular repair requires the action of enzymes. Enzymes are made by our bodies and can be found in fresh wholesome foods and supplements.

When it’s time to go to the health food store to buy an enzyme product, it can be a bit confusing. There are a variety of options available on the shelf, so let’s take a closer look at these supplements to investigate the differences.

Exploring Enzyme Supplement Varieties

The key to choosing the appropriate enzyme for your needs is to know what you are looking for. In general, protease enzymes break down protein, amylase acts on starches and sugar, and lipase breaks down fats and lipids. Formulas include plant and animal sourced enzymes, as well as tropical enzymes like papain and bromelain.

Tropical enzymes, like papain from papaya, and bromelain from pineapple, are commonly selected for their ability to ease the discomfort of muscle aches and inflammation. While ideal for discomfort, tropical enzymes are specific for protein digestion and will have no effect on the carbohydrates, fats, and fiber in our meals.

Most animal sourced enzymes are pancreatin formulas, enzymes manufactured in animal pancreas. This variety has a long history of use and has been well studied for inflammation and muscle repair. Animal sourced enzymes are specific to certain pH environments, unlike plant based-enzymes which are blended to function throughout the pH of the entire body.

For digestive distress, consumers choose high potency plant-based enzyme formulas. These enzymes are grown on plants and are vegetarian/vegan. Plant-based enzymes can break down carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and fiber, making them an ideal digestive supplement. Plant-based enzymes function in wider pH ranges than both tropical and pancreatic enzymes.

Quick Tips: Choosing an Effective Enzyme[i]

1. Seek a Specialist: The best products come from companies not trying to be all things to all people. Look for a company that specializes in enzymes making reputable and efficacious products.

2. Read Labels: Look for high active units with multiple strains in each enzyme category. An active unit measurement is different from milligrams, which measure weight, not potency. Some companies will express enzyme ingredients as a blend. Blending allows enzymes to break down more over a longer period of time and in a varied pH range.

3. Seek a No-Filler Formula: Some manufacturers use fillers to fill out capsules or help bind tablets together. Fillers include magnesium stearate, cellulose, pectins,  maltodextrin, talc, or similar ingredients. The result: a product that is less potent per milligram and which runs a greater risk of containing an allergen.

4. Proven Potency: Often products are blended to meet the potency printed on the label, but their finished form fails label claim. Reputable companies will test their finished products to verify the label describes exactly what’s in the bottle.

5. Choose Capsules: Choose vegetarian capsules instead of tablets. Tableting is a harsh process for enzymes, which are more susceptible to heat and friction than ordinary vitamins. In addition, tableting generally requires binders or fillers which add no benefit to the end product.

There’s been a lot of talk lately about probiotics and the ways they benefit the body.  Probiotics are the healthy flora that reside in the digestive tract.  Traditionally, probiotics were consumed through cultured foods like cheese and yogurt and fermented beverages like kefir.  Today, dietary supplements containing probiotics are some of the most popular products on the shelf.

The condition and function of the gastrointestinal tract is essential to overall health.  This condition is highly dependent on the presence of billions of probiotic cultures which support regularity, aid the immune system, and produce vitamins like B and K.  These healthy microflora protect us against the overgrowth of already present, potentially pathogenic organisms in the gut.  They also fuel digestion through the production of enzymes such as lactase, protease, and amylase.  As an added bonus, the enzymes made by the flora work synergistically with the body’s inherent enzymes to support digestive health and optimal wellbeing.

Probiotics are active cultures which must make their way through various obstacles in their journey to the gastrointestinal tract.  First, they must stand up to exposure to light, heat, and moisture on the shelf. After consumption, they must withstand harsh stomach acid and other digestive fluids.  Key to the efficacy of a probiotic supplement is product stability, both on the shelf and inside the intestinal tract.

Enzymedica’s Pro-Bio™ is a guaranteed potency probiotic formulated to support healthy intestinal microflora balance.  Pro-Bio is shelf stable and enteric coated. The enteric coating ensures that the probiotic formulation reaches its destination in the intestinal tract, safely bypassing the acid environment of the stomach.* The 8 strains of healthy bacteria chosen for Pro-Bio are well tolerated and have a history of beneficial use.

To learn more about how probiotics can help with healthy body functions, read the Pro-Bio product handout here.

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Enzymedica, a leading Florida based dietary supplement company is now ‘Carbon Neutral’

Enzymedica has announced the successful implementation of their Green Initiatives program. A multi-faceted program, their Green Initiatives include everything from a commitment to conservation at company headquarters, to becoming ‘carbon neutral’ as of 2009.

Tom Bohager, Enzymedica’s Founder and CEO explains, “As responsible members of the business community and the natural products industry in particular, Enzymedica’s Green Initiatives are a reflection of our commitment to health and wellness.”
Enzymedica was voluntarily audited for energy use and steps were taken to implement energy savings. Compact fluorescent lighting was installed throughout the building to save energy. At night, all lights, office equipment and appliances are turned off, and the entire corporate staff has been educated with respect to the specifics of sustainable and environmentally conscious behavior for both home and the work place.

Enzymedica has encouraged staff to conserve, reduce, reuse or recycle whenever possible. In fact, Enzymedica uses recycled paper for packaging, prints their literature and collateral materials on 100% de-inked, recycled paper, and set up an on-site recycling center where they collect paper, plastic, aluminum, glass, cardboard and toner cartridges for recovery.

The conservation effort also led to changes in product packaging. The current Enzymedica product bottles are lighter than the previous version, composed of a type of plastic that is widely recycled.

Enzymedica: Now Carbon Neutral
Enzymedica Chief Operations Officer Linda Remer proudly reports, “We have offset our carbon footprint of facility, vehicle and air travel emissions by planting 1,000 trees. We are now “Carbon Neutral”.

The call to action for environmental consciousness has had a benefit at all levels of the company. Enzymedica has installed a curtain over the shipping dock bay door so that cool air and energy is not wasted while the door remains open for deliveries. They have also set procedures in place to dispose of all hazardous waste that is produced from their machinery and laboratory.

The company has made efforts to switch to environmentally friendly cleaning agents in all bathrooms and employee break rooms, and recently replaced paper towels with washable dish towels. Plastic cutlery, disposable cups and disposable plates have been exchanged for washable and reusable silverware, plates, cups and mugs.

Bohager continues, “As a premium nutritional supplement manufacturer and supplier, Enzymedica is well aware of the connection between environment and health. Our actions with respect to the environment will safeguard future resources for our families, our children, and generations to come. ”

To learn more about Enzymedica’s commitment to the environment and other Green Initiatives, visit www.enzymedica.com or www.begreennow.com.

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Full spectrum dietary enzyme support in a convenient sprinkle delivery system

Digest Sprinkles is the newest addition to Enzymedica’s line of award winning digestive enzyme products, which includes Digest™ and Digest Gold™.

David Barton, Enzymedica’s Director of Education explains, “Digest Sprinkles is a wonderful option for individuals looking for an alternative to swallowing capsules. With no taste or smell Digest Sprinkles is mild enough for the very young or other sensitive individuals.”

Microencapsulated to deliver enzymes directly to the digestive tract, Sprinkles includes enzymes to maximize carbohydrate, protein, and fat digestion. The supplement also includes enzymes for simple sugars, fibrous vegetables and milk sugar.

To create the convenient sprinkle delivery system, the microencapsulated formula was blended with beet root fiber which supports the beneficial bacteria in our gut. With over 300,000 CFU of probiotics in each serving, Sprinkles will help maintain a healthy bacterial balance in the intestine, and contribute to a healthy intestinal environment, intestinal lining and proper assimilation of nutrients.

Barton continues, “Just two to three shakes of Digest Sprinkles over your meal provides the same balancing blend of enzymes as found Enzymedica’s original Digest™ formula. So easy to use: Just sprinkle and enjoy your meal!”

Digest Sprinkles is vegetarian and vegan, and utilizes Enzymedica’s exclusive Thera-blend™ process for the enzymes protease, lipase, amylase, and cellulase. This process blends several different strains of each enzyme to achieve greater activity over a broader pH range. This process increases potency by enabling each enzyme to break down more bonds throughout the entire digestive system and makes them more effective systemically.

Enzymedica offers Digest Sprinkles in a 60 serving bottle size at a suggested retail price of $19.98.

To learn more about Enzymedica’s Digest Basic as well as purchase locations, visit www.enzymedica.com.

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Acid. In the context of digestion, this word conjures up painful feelings of heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion. And while stomach acid is a familiar concept, concerns about hyperacidity reach much further than just the stomach and our digestive system. Our body’s pH, or the balance of acid versus alkaline, is a delicate balance which when disturbed can cause significant health issues beyond indigestion.

To assist our body’s pH chemistry, Enzymedica offers pH-Basic, a synergistic blend of minerals, enzymes, super-foods, and herbs. pH-Basic will also enhance the efficiency of enzymes in the body, both digestive and metabolic.

There are numerous causative factors for systemic acidity. Causes include stress, environmental pollution, not enough or excessive exercise, and the most important factor, diet.

Dave Barton, Enzymedica’s Director of Education explains, “Diet has a huge impact on our internal pH balance. Acid forming foods include excessive fats, animal products, dairy, mucous forming foods, and toxic food residues. The more acid forming foods we eat, the more acidic we become.”

There are many foods which have been shown to assist the body with pH balance. In particular, ripe fruit, vegetables, soy bean products such as miso, and supplements such as calcium citrate.

Barton continues, “In many cases, simple dietary choices are insufficient as a means of managing our body’s pH levels, and supplementation is necessary. For these individuals, Enzymedica’s pH-Basic is a perfect partner to a healthy pH.”*

The goal of pH-Basic is to support the body on a systemic level, through the bloodstream, rather than working on a local level in the stomach. To accomplish this, pH-Basic is enteric-coated to deliver its contents directly to the small intestine, and prevent the neutralization of our stomach acid. pH Test strips are included with each bottle of pH-Basic to allow the user to test their own pH balance. We believe it is best to test pH over the course of a 24 hour period. Testing over several days will enable you to easily make dietary adjustments to stay in balance.

The mineral blend in pH-Basic consists of the same minerals often depleted in an acid environment and which make up the body’s electrolyte mineral ratio. They are amino acid chelated and pharmaceutical grade for safety and absorbability. Also included is the naturally alkaline organic super-food hydrilla. Marshmallow and papaya leaf extract are added to help soothe, and an enzyme blend rounds out the formula to help promote uptake of the minerals, herbs and greens in pH-Basic.*

Enzymedica offers pH-Basic in both 60 and 120 Capsule bottles.

To learn more pH Basic, acidity, and how to balance you pH level with Enzymedica’s pH-Basic, visit www.Enzymedica.com.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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