Karen DeFelice, celebrated author, speaker, and the mother of two children with autism and neurological disorders, will speak at a free public lecture in Overland Park, Kansas, April 7th, 2010.

DeFelice, author of Enzymes: Go With Your Gut and Enzymes for Autism and other Neurological Conditions, will address the neurological connection between the digestive system and the brain, and how enzymes may improve digestion, health and behavior. Her lecture, entitled Enzymes for Autism will emphasize the benefits of maintaining gut health and immunity, and share key secrets to getting more from your food, supplements and medications.

Hosted by Whole Foods Market, The Cooking Studio at 7421 W. 91st St., in Overland Park, Kansas, the lecture is Wednesday, April 7th from 7:00 – 8:00 PM and will be followed by a Q&A section.

Having worked in education and biological sciences for over 24 years, Karen DeFelice is a pioneer in the practical uses of digestive enzymes. In her books and lectures DeFelice teaches the importance of digestive health, enzymes, supplements, and diet for the improvement of health and wellness. Her personal battle with severe sensory issues and her two sons’ digestive and behavioral problems led her to using enzymes as part of a total health solution for her own family. Her everyday humor and positive style have given hope to thousands suffering from digestive health and neurological conditions all over the world.

Cosponsoring the event with Whole Foods Market is enzyme manufacturer Enzymedica, who actively participates in the autism community via their partnership with the Autism Hope Alliance. (AHA) Dedicated to the recovery of children and adults from autism, the Autism Hope Alliance ignites hope for families facing the diagnosis through education and funding.

About the Lecture

Enzymes for Autism presented by author and speaker Karen DeFelice, Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 7:00 PM at 7421 W. 91st St., in Overland Park, Kansas.

Admission is free. Seating is limited and registration is encouraged. Please call 913-652-9633.

To learn more about Karen DeFelice, Enzymedica and their partnership with the Autism Hope Alliance, please visit www.EnzymeStuff.com or www.enzymedica.com.

An achy back, a sore knee—whether the result of injury, repetitive motion or just overdoing it at the gym, minor inflammation can be irritating and painful. Our first response might be to pop a few pain relievers and wait it out. While ideal for a short term fix, these over the counter medications only treat the symptoms. Too often we fail to look at the root cause of the problem: our inflammatory process.

Inflammation is not our enemy

The body protects itself from life threatening illness and injury through the often misunderstood inflammatory process. It is this healthy inflammatory process which allows our body to heal, repair, and effectively cleanse our tissues at a cellular level. White blood cells are sent to the area of injury, swelling occurs, and damaged tissues are removed and eliminated. Without beneficial inflammation our bodies would be left in disrepair and eventually fall apart. But too much of a good thing brings its own share of problems. Inflammation that becomes chronic can be disease bearing and life threatening.

Pain and swelling are common symptoms that our inflammation response may be out of balance. Customary solutions for occasional pain and inflammation include the over the counter (OTC) medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aka NSAID. However, NSAIDs may slow or even turn off the inflammatory process, leaving the body less able to repair the damage that caused the pain in the first place. Overused, these medications may also compound the matter by causing gastric irritation and liver concerns.

So what can be done to support this important process?

Protease Enzymes Provide Therapeutic Support to Healthy Inflammation

An alternative solution to occasional pain and discomfort are therapeutic enzymes which work synergistically with your body’s recovery mechanisms, easing stress on your metabolic systems and aiding your innate healing processes.

Proteolytic enzymes, often called proteases (enzymes that break down protein) are manufactured naturally by the body to support the immune system. These enzymes break down foreign particles and debris, as well as accelerate the elimination of unwanted pathogens and toxins by way of the lymphatic system. Supplemental oral proteases have been shown to provide significant support to aid healthy repair and recovery. Additionally, studies indicate that protease enzymes may reduce the negative effects of harmful inflammation.

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Many people begin the start of a new year with resolutions about healthier living. Exercise and making better food choices can help the body reach its full potential, but enzymes can enhance healthy living choices. Digestive enzymes enhance the body’s digestion and assimilation of food to help turn the food we eat into energy for the body. In addition to general digestive supplements, Enzymedica offers several products for special digestive needs.

Carbohydrate and Phenol Digestion

Phenol is an umbrella term for a sub-group of natural compounds that include, polyphenols, salycilates, flavanoids, catechins, anthocyanidins, and isoflavonoids, among thousands more. Some individuals have sensitivity to phenols, and experience difficulty digesting foods that contain them. While it may be possible to reduce one’s consumptions of the phenols found in food additives and such as colorants and flavorings, phenols are relatively omnipresent in all plant-based foods. For the general population these foods are important protective agents against degenerative diseases and should be consumed in abundance. But for some, normally healing foods can cause problems; a condition often referred to as phenol sensitivity.

CarbGest provides phenol-targeting enzymes such as xylanase to enhance the digestion of phenolic compounds in fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and food additives. CarbGest contains a phenol-targeting enzyme blend that can assist the body in the proper digestion of phenols. CarbGest is safe for children and can be opened and mixed with food when desired.

Bean, Grain and Vegetable Digestion

Amylase is needed to break down and assimilate carbohydrates, which support every cell of the body. Some dieticians and nutritionists recommend that 30% – 50% of our diet be made up of a combination of these essential ‘complex’ (vegetables) and ‘simple’ (sugars) carbohydrates. These essential nutrients are needed to support protein and fat metabolism, help fight infection, promote the growth of bones and assist in skin rejuvenation.

Gastro contains four different types of enzymes that break down carbohydrates such as starch, glycogen and related polysaccharides. These are found in grains, seeds, legumes, vegetables and other plants. It is very common to experience discomfort when digesting these types of foods. Symptoms range from gas and bloating to indigestion and other imbalances. When added to your meal as a supplement, Gastro can assist the body in breaking down and assimilating these types of foods. Taking Gastro takes stress off the gallbladder, liver and pancreas. Moreover, Gastro has a very high amount of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase that is imperative in digesting the sugars from legumes and other foods that create gas and bloating.*

Gluten and Casein Digestion

Gluten intolerance symptoms result when there is difficulty breaking down specific amino acid links (called peptides) in the gluten molecules found in our food. Implicated in various disorders including intestinal inflammation and leaky-gut syndrome, common treatment for gluten intolerance is fairly simple: remove the offending foods from your diet.

Enzymedica offers GlutenEase™ a dietary supplement containing a specially modified protein digesting enzyme blend (protease), with an enzyme activity called DPP-IV. Proteases high in DPP-IV activity assist in normalizing inflammatory response to the gluten peptide, thus better digesting and utilizing gluten containing foods. This proactively supports the intestinal tract, allowing proteins to be properly broken down and absorbed in their digested state.

Dairy Lactose Digestion

Millions of Americans are suffering from cramps, gas and diarrhea after ingesting dairy sugar, or lactose. Often times, an enjoyable experience eating a scoop of ice cream  is followed by the onset of uncomfortable and painful digestive issues. Lactose intolerance affects people who lack the ability to break down and digest the dairy sugar, lactose. One common choice to battle lactose intolerance is food elimination diets, which not only consume time, but also prevent enjoying certain foods. Prescription and over the counter drugs may improve distress for a time, but often have their own side effects. Another choice is to supply the body with the enzymes needed to digest dairy products.

Lacto by Enzymedica is a dietary supplement that is safe for all ages and designed to be taken with meals containing lactose. Lacto contains lactase to assist in the digestion and absorption of dairy sugars, reducing the negative side effects of lactose consumption. In addition to providing the enzymes needed for digestion of dairy sugar, Lacto also assists in digestion of dairy protein, fats, carbohydrates, meat protein and fiber.

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