In this blog entry, Enzymedica Educator Dave Barton answers a question he has regularly been asked while on the road working to spread the word about enzymes to consumers and retailers both across the country and internationally. In coming months, we’ll be sharing similar features from the education department and other departments within Enzymedica.

What do you study in the Education Department of Enzymedica?

We’re fortunate in the Education Department when it comes to our own education. Tom Bohager (Enzymedica’s Founder and Operating Chairman) allows us and encourages us to read and research a variety of topics to expand our understanding of natural health. This to me is so much better than focusing exclusively on enzymes. Though it’s extremely important to study enzymes specifically and their activities, most of the research is extremely deep and has little direct application to natural health because the information is so complex.

By reading a variety of topics from various writers both conventional and accepted as well as the unconventional and so-called heretic we see the overall complexity of health and the variety of ideas of how the body works as well as various opinions of the best way to achieve health. I have personally benefited from such study.

By reading a variety I’ve been more easily able to see how enzymes are interconnected in so much of the literature and research even when enzymes are not necessarily given the credit in a specific article.

I’m reading 3 books right now. Eat for Life, Harvey Diamond. The Sinatra Solution, Metabolic Cardiology, Stephen Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C. Confessions of a Medical Heretic, Robert Mendelsohn, M.D.

One of the goals of almost any company is to work to achieve greater efficiency within their processes. This goal is shared by Enzymedica, and it is our belief that through becoming more efficient, we improve both the quality of our product and our customers’ experience. In pursuit of that goal, we are pleased to welcome Lean Six Sigma consultant Bill Trudell to our team.

Lean Six Sigma is best described as both a management concept and a philosophy. Six Sigma seeks to minimize defects (errors) in a process by removing variability. Lean is a philosophy of eliminating waste from processes (time, materials, and energies). Together, they form an unbeatable combination that will help to lead Enzymedica through continual growth and during development of new products.

“All company’s have waste. Some choose to work on it and some just don’t. […] “The goal in Lean is satisfying customers and eliminating waste in the product flow so that customers don’t have to pay for it,” said Trudell.

Trudell is no stranger to eliminating waste in processes. His career has centered on improving processes in companies for 25 years. He initially developed an interest in process analysis while working as a supervisor at a boat manufacturer, and says that his favorite part of his job was working through solutions that would address concerns within his company.

Over time, he gained further training on eliminating process waste and decided to build his career on those ideals. He is the author of the book Lean Six Sigma That Works: A Powerful Action Plan for Dramatically Improving Quality, Increasing Speed, and Reducing Waste, and has another book, Relentless Improvement: True Stories of Lean Transformations, which will soon go to print.

Change can be intimidating for many companies.  In certain cases, the very culture of a company can be to ‘resist change.’

“Culture eats tactics for breakfast,” says Trudell. By embracing a culture of change and constant improvement, company processes can be improved, products can be improved, and employee relations can see improvement.

Lean Six Sigma uses a variety of tools to identify waste within processes. In one exercise, a group of team members at Enzymedica worked together to create a “map” showing each and every step that the company takes to create a new product.

Employees also completed surveys that served to identify perceived areas for possible improvement in processes, as well as to gain a feel for which departments within the company communicate with each other the most.

As part of the mapping exercise, employees designated certain areas along Enzymedica’s new product process as “bottlenecks.” These bottlenecks, for various reasons, cause the process to slow down, usually to wait for a decision or some other input.

After the bottlenecks have been identified, process improvement teams are created to better understand the root causes of the bottlenecks, and work towards creating a solution.

Numerous other Lean Six Sigma exercises also take place to understand how a company works. Production facilities are carefully measured and the movement of staff mapped out. Departments within the company meet to discuss what they need from other departments in order to complete their goals. Employees are surveyed to help determine areas for improvement already noted by the staff.

The goal of these exercises is two-fold. First, waste is eliminated from within current processes, and Enzymedica can work to bring our already exceptional quality to a new level. Second, Enzymedica staff will learn new ways of approaching problems and receive a wide arsenal of tools to improve our quality and customer experience into the future.

As 2011 races to an end, the beginning of 2012 is certain to herald many new resolutions from people across the United States and around the world to improve their daily lives. Often, one of the most popular resolutions for the New Year is to lose weight.

While you may currently be contemplating running to the sporting goods store to purchase a new exercise machine or a set of weights, you may wish to consider what weight loss will truly mean to you in the coming year. Will you have enough time to exercise regularly? Are you really going to sleep more, and eat better? How long can you keep those things up?

There may be another solution, however. Enzymes and other natural products may provide significant benefits in supporting healthy weight management.

The enzyme blend Glucoreductase™ has been shown to optimize sugar metabolism and help maintain normal blood sugar levels.ⁱ Glucoreductase converts sugars from carbohydrate digestion to form soluble fiber and as a result decreases the amount of potentially stored fat.* Also helpful is the Lipase Thera-blend enzymes, which may improve the proper metabolism of fat.

Gluten-free rice bran and superoxide dismutase (SOD) can additionally promote healthy detoxification, which may encourage a comfortable and mild cleanse.*

Walter Crinnion, a practicing Naturopathic physician and reviewer for the New England Journal of Medicine was quoted as saying “Elevated levels of fat-soluble toxins have been associated with weight gain. Rice bran will help increase the amount of toxins we eliminate. The more toxins you encourage to leave your body, the easier it will be for your organs of elimination to do their job, and for your metabolism to burn stored fat for fuel.”

Research indicates that overweight individuals may have less Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and experience oxidative stress due to excess body weight.^{iii, iv} Made by the body and available in supplement form, SOD provides potent antioxidant defense against oxidative stress.

Consider looking into a supplement that includes those ingredients. Remember, the stress that will accompany deciphering a long instruction book to put together your new Weight-Loss-A-Matic exercise machine may not be conducive to weight-loss or your sanity. Enzymes and other natural product supplements may provide a much simpler approach for the coming year.

i Blum, James. (2011). Evaluation of a novel supplement to reduce blood glucose through the use of a modified oral glucose tolerance test. Am J Transl Res., 3(2), 219-25.

ii Howell, E. (1985). Enzyme nutrition the food enzyme concept. (p. 114). Avery.

ⁱⁱⁱ Vincent, HK. (2006). Biomarkers and potential mechanisms of obesity-induced oxidant stress in humans. International Journal of Obesity, 30, 400-18.

^iv Shih, Ling-Ying. (2006). Leptin, Superoxide Dismutase, and weight loss: initial leptin predicts weight loss. Obesity, 14(12), 2184-92.

In our Conference Corner Kristin Selby Gonzalez updates us with, “SO WHERE HAVE WE BEEN LATELY IN THE AUTISM COMMUNITY????”

On Oct 28^th US Autism and Asperger Association launched it’s 6^th Annual World conference in Seattle, Washington and Enzymedica was there! Attendance was approx. 250 people many of which had never heard of enzymes. This particular conference had a large group of the attendees on the autism spectrum themselves. I was on the parent/practitioner panel with a special education attorney, one of the directors of the conference and a world renowned biomedical doctor which took place Sunday at 1:00 to 2:30.

On Nov. 4^th Enzymedica headed to Barbados where AutismOne and Spectrum Possibilities joined forces to host the first autism conference for this country. Several hundred were in attendance. My lecture was titled Sensory Savvy 101 and I explained what Sensory Integration was and defined many of the options that are available today through different therapies. I also explained how diet and digestion played a key role. In addition, I was on a Mother’s Panel in the later part of the day where Moms came together and shared their stories of hope and inspiration to those who were just beginning their journey. There was one mother who stood up with tears in her eyes and said she felt empowered and believed that she could soar! She said she once believed that everything was hopeless and now believes anything is possible and is excited to learn more. It happened to be this mom that won an Enzymedica Basket!

On Nov. 11 I headed to St. Pete Beach, Florida where the National Autism Association was holding their conference. Enzymedica was an exhibitor and I will be on a parent/practitioner with some top doctors in autism and a very inspirational mother, which took place Friday evening. On Saturday afternoon I was a guest speaking briefly in Raun Kaufman’s lecture.

All of the conferences have been great and at the US Asperger and Autism conference and the National Autism Association Conference we were fortunate enough to be able to film for our Internet TV show called: Autism Approved. We have been able to interview some top experts in the autism community. Please check out www.voiceamerica.TV and look under health and wellness and check out our show.

With 1 out 91 children (between the ages of 3 to 17) being diagnosed today, it is a great honor to represent Enzymedica on the front lines to offer tools and resources to families who are in great need for education. As a mom myself of a son with autism I feel it is a privilege to help the autism community in any way we can. Our kiddos are getting better at any age and together we can make a difference!

Every Spring in Chicago, teachers, parents, and professionals from around the world gather to attend the AutismOne / Generation Rescue conference.  Touted as one of the most comprehensive autism conference in the world, attendees are presented with cutting edge information and findings by leading doctors, researchers and therapists.  As an active corporate sponsor of Generation Rescue, Enzymedica was thrilled to be part of this year’s five day event.

“When we began Enzymedica, it was with the goal of creating the highest quality enzyme supplements available,” shares Tom Bohager, Enzymedica’s Founder and Operating Chairman.  “We gave the digestive category a solid foundation with our products such as Digest Gold, Acid Soothe, GlutenEase, and Lacto.  Over the years, it brought us great joy to realize the profound benefits enzymes could provide to individuals dealing with multiple food intolerances, among them countless children on the autism spectrum. This led us to develop products such as CarbGest for phenol digestion, and Digest Spectrum for combination sensitivities to food.”

Enzymedica’s involvement within the autism community led to a scholarship program and nationwide autism education tour that culminated in the establishment of the nonprofit foundation, the Autism Hope Alliance (AHA). Through their work with AHA, Enzymedica increased their educational outreach through annual participation at the AutismOne convention.

Bohager continues, “Early on in my company’s history we became involved in the mission to help these children on the path to better health.  In my business life there has been no greater satisfaction and pleasure than to be able to support and help these families in the autism community.  It was a tremendous privilege to be in attendance at Autism One 2011 and witness so many passionate and inspiring individuals.”

Enzymedica provides support to a national network of autism advocates and inspirational speakers which includes Enzymedica’s Director of Autism Education, Kristin Selby Gonzalez and AHA Heroes(TM), Heidi Scheer, Karen Dana and Angela Woodward.  All four were heavily active at the conference.

“The lectures were well-done, inspiring and full of hope, for which I am sure parents and caregivers were very thankful,” said Kimberlea Barton, Enzymedica’s Branding Manager.  “Among my most memorable parts of the conference were the individual conversations I had with mothers and fathers who have assisted their children well on the way to recovery.”

“Viewing Jenny McCarthy’s Keynote address and speaking to other exhibitors who are all eager to help these families was also inspiring and heartwarming,” says Barton.  “At Enzymedica, we have been honored to support the Autism Community over the years, and this Conference just solidified the importance of what we are doing.”

Digest Spectrum Wins Award

As part of the 2011 convention an amazing award ceremony emceed by Kristin Selby Gonzalez was held to honor the professionals, parents, foundations, and products that are making a measureable difference in the lives of the families facing the autism diagnosis.  Enzymedica is thrilled to announce that Digest Spectrum won the AutismOne Award for Best Supplement 2011.

Among the nominees for Best Supplement were Digest Gold, GlutenEase and ViraStop 2X.   Over 4100 votes were cast, and the winning nominees received their awards at a gala dinner which included a red carpet event.