Digestive Enzymes

Digestive Enzyme Complex Consisting of: Betaine HCl, Papain 2M, Bromelain, Lipase, Cellulase, Trypsin, Amylase

Digestive enzymes are specialized proteins needed to break down food in the digestive tract. The three basic digestive enzymes are amylase (breaks down carbohydrates), protease (breaks down proteins), and lipase (breaks down fats). A healthy level of digestive enzymes is critical for healthy absorption of nutrients from the food you eat.

Digestive-supporting supplements are formulated to mimic the action of natural digestive enzymes. They are usually derived from animals, plants, or fungi. For patients with malabsorption syndrome related to a digestive health condition, some organs may not produce the needed digestive enzymes, making digestive enzyme supplements a necessity. The most widely used digestive enzymes supplements are bromelain, papain, trypsin, lipase, amylase, protease, and lactase.

Benefits of Digestive Enzymes

The benefits of digestive enzymes go beyond improving the process of digestion. Here are some of the proven health benefits of taking digestive enzymes:

Prevents Blood Clots

Blood clots are the main cause of heart diseases and stroke. By impairing the blood flow to vital organs, blood clots can lead to sudden death. Interestingly, a large body of high quality research shows that digestive enzymes, particularly bromelain, can help prevent blood clots by inhibiting platelet aggregation, thereby improving blood circulation.^[1-2] This in turn can help prevent heart disease, stroke and other fatalities related to blood clots.

Fights Cancer

Large doses of proteolytic enzymes (bromelain, papain and trypsin), along with a healthy diet and “detoxification” procedures, have been used for decades as an alternative therapy in all forms of cancer. In a 2-year clinical trial assessing the survival rate of patients suffering from inoperable stage II-IV pancreatic cancer, researchers found that large doses of orally ingested proteolytic enzymes significantly increased survival rate to the point that it surpassed the life expectancy of these patients.^[3]

Improves Nutrition Absorption

Taking digestive enzymes can help prevent nutritional deficiency. Currently, studies show that the administration of the digestive enzyme lipase is a promising approach in treating patients with fat malabsorption because it is resistant to acids in the digestive system.^[4-6]      

Helps Relieve Pain

There is preliminary clinical evidence that the digestive enzyme bromelain has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that may help reduce the symptoms of osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis. When researchers administered either 200 mg or 400 mg of bromelain in patients with mild acute knee pain for less than 3 months, a significant improvement in overall symptoms and physical function was observed in the high-dose group (400 mg per day).^[7]

Accelerates Wound Healing and Recovery

The prevalence of poor nutrition and other chronic diseases can negatively impact surgical outcome and complications. Several studies show that nutritional supplementation with digestive enzymes in the pre- and postoperative period can help reduce bruising, swelling and inflammation, promote wound healing, and enhance immunity.^[8-9]     

References:

1. Taussig SJ, Batkin S. Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and its clinical application. An update. J Ethnopharmacol. 1988;22(2):191-203.
2. Felton GE. Fibrinolytic and antithrombotic action of bromelain may eliminate thrombosis in heart patients. Med Hypotheses. 1980;6(11):1123-33.
3. Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. Evaluation of pancreatic proteolytic enzyme treatment of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, with nutrition and detoxification support. Nutr Cancer. 1999;33(2):117-24.
4. Raimondo M, DiMagno EP. Lipolytic activity of bacterial lipase survives better than that of porcine lipase in human gastric and duodenal content. Gastroenterology1994;107:231–5.
5. Suzuki A, Mizumoto A, Sarr MG, et al. Bacterial lipase and high-fat diets in canine exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: a new therapy of steatorrhea? Gastroenterology1997;112:2048–55.
6. Suzuki A, Mizumoto A, Rerknimitr R, et al. Effect of bacterial or porcine lipase with low- or high-fat diets on nutrient absorption in pancreatic-insufficient dogs. Gastroenterology1999;116:431–7.
7. Walker AF, Bundy R, Hicks SM, Middleton RW. Bromelain reduces mild acute knee pain and improves well-being in a dose-dependent fashion in an open study of otherwise healthy adults. Phytomedicine. 2002;9(8):681-6.
8. Rahm D. A guide to perioperative nutrition. Aesthet Surg J. 2004;24(4):385-90.
9. Rahm D. Perioperative nutrition and nutritional supplements. Plast Surg Nurs. 2005;25(1):21-8.