The Importance of Digestive Enzymes

Do you ever experience bloating, belching, gas, bowel disorders, abdominal cramping, heartburn or food allergies? If so, it may because you are lacking the enzymes needed to digest food properly.

Our bodies produce 22 digestive enzymes that aid in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients in our diet. They collaborate with the enzymes that exist naturally in raw vegetables and fruit in order keep us healthy and strong.

Unfortunately these days, with so many diets rich in processed foods , the collaboration and breakdown is being challenged. As mentioned earlier our bodies are capable of producing 22 of the enzymes needed to digest food properly, but we must have extra enzymes –some specific to certain foods– in order to breakdown and process all the nutrients completely. Processed foods – fruits and vegetables – that are heated above 118˚ are compromised of the unique 3-dimensional structure that make up enzymes and are therefore redundant in our diet.

Processing of food (that of fast-food, over-cooked food, frozen food and/or any foods that that are packaged or altered from their original state) has taken over as the predominant food source in the developed world. It’s often the quicker, faster choice. And with so little time to spare in many lives, it is the only viable option. But it is dangerous. Those with diets lacking in complete enzyme accounts are risking over-taxing their pancreas and eventually losing the ability to process food properly at all. The result of which could mean anything from endless discomfort, to serious malnourishment and hospitalization.

Eating as many raw vegetables and fruits as possible is a great way to ensure that you remain healthy and are able to process the foods you eat with ease. Taking digestive enzyme supplements is also a great way to boost your intake, and if you are already experiencing the symptoms of a diet lacking in enzymes, they can be a big help to reducing or removing the uncomfortable feelings.

Check out AstroNutrition’s list of digestive enzyme supplements by clicking here.