Probiotics, Prebiotics & Digestive Enzyme Information
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Probiotics are beneficial bacteria introduced into the digestive system through
food. Most probiotics are produced for human consumption and are found in dairy
products that naturally contain two types of probiotic microbes: lactobacilli
and bifidobacteria. The best-known probiotic is lactobacillus
acidophilus, found
in yogurt, acidophilus milk and probiotic supplements. Probiotic History
Although the term probiotics is relatively new, the use of probiotic fermented
foods predates the advent of refrigeration, and the applied notion of
supplementing good bacteria in the intestines with probiotic substances dates
back to the late nineteenth century. Present day, effective absorption of
probiotic supplements remains a challenge, as nutritionists continue to look for
ways to maximize the benefits of probiotics in humans.
Probiotics can help to maintain a healthy digestive system by establishing a
balance of harmful and beneficial bacteria in the gut. Probiotics eliminate crud
attached to human intestinal walls and stimulate antibody production in the
digestive tract, where probiotics are helpful in producing huge pools of extra
antibodies to protect and defend against infection.
Reasons to Use ProbioticsProbiotics may help to eliminate much of the waste left behind when eating processed foods. Probiotics are also beneficial to those with diets filled with simple sugars and carbohydrates. As more unhealthy foods are introduced into the diet that interfere with the natural probiotics we need, humans increasingly look toward probiotic supplements to maintain digestive health.Prebiotics A therapeutic nutritional preparation used for gut effects favoring growth of normal bacterial flora and not favoring growth of pathogenic organisms. Preparations include inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), mannosoligosaccharides, and arabinogalactans (AG).Indications for use include infectious diarrhea and antibiotic-associated gut flora disturbances like Candida Albicans; AG has also been shown to have immunomodulating effects in the gut of humans. Digestive Enzymes Enzymes are specialized protein molecules facilitating most of the body's metabolic processes - such as, supplying energy, digesting foods, purifying your blood, ridding the body of waste products etc. They are divided into two main groups - that being metabolic enzymes and digestive enzymes. Enzymes are vital to our health and change the rate at which chemical reactions happen, but without any external energy source added or by being changed themselves. These very important ingredients to our health, is reaction specific, and will only act on certain substances - referred to as substrates. Without enzymes in your body, you could have the best nutritional plan around, and supplement your diet with a host of vitamin supplements, but without these humble workers we call enzymes, the vitamins will not be absorbed into your system. Although enzymes are found in small quantities, they are extremely powerful - 30 grams of pure crystalline pepsin would digest nearly 2 metric tons of egg white in a matter of hours. They assist in fighting aging, weight loss, lowering cholesterol, cleaning the colon, breaking down fats, strengthening the immune system, improve mental capacity, detoxifying the body, building muscles from protein, eliminating carbon dioxide from the lungs etc. It is interesting to note that people have reported the disappearing of allergy symptoms after taking amylase. Food enzymes are divided into seven categories, them being: lipase (breaking down fat), protease (breaking down proteins), cellulase (breaking down fiber), amylase (breaking down starch), lactase (breaking down dairy), sucrase (breaking down sugars) and maltase (breaking down grain). Individual enzymes are compiled by adding the term "ase" to the substrate to which it reacts with - lipase for lipids (fats). There are however enzymes like trypsin and pepsin which "ase" is not added to, since they were named before this standardized. When we cook food at high temperatures, we kill the enzymes contained in the food, and this will lead to undigested, or poorly digested food in the digestive tract. This in turn will lead to putrefying food in your system, which may cause a host of health problems. When we ingest diet-sourced enzymes, they start to pre-digest food, which means that less internally produced enzymes are required to digest the food properly. Most cell respiratory processes require enzymes - such as glycolysis, Krebs cycle etc. Deficiency of enzymesA shortage of enzymes in the body will influence the health of the entire body, and symptoms may include stomach gas, indigestion, bloating, heartburn and flatulence. DosageDepending on the type of dietary supplement, which you decide to buy, it is best to take them at meal times. When selecting a supplement ensure that it contains: protease, amylase, lipase and lactase. Toxicity and symptoms of high intakePeople starting an intake of these compounds in supplement form have reported in some cases an increase of gas, bloating, acne, slight dull headache etc - the symptoms are however temporary and is the body's way of healing itself. More water must be taken when taking enzymes in supplement form, to assist with the cleansing of the body. The benefits are felt and seen quickly, but maximum effect is only achieved after taking a supplement for some time, and the best results are reported after taking it for at least 12 weeks. When more may be requiredWhen recovering from an illness, or suffering from a chronic disease you could benefit from ingesting dietary enzymes. People suffering from hypoglycemia, endocrine gland deficiency, obesity, anorexia nervosa as well as stress related problems have reported benefits from a supplement. It is also said to assist with acne, psoriasis, chronic inflammation, high blood pressure, diabetes, fatigue, Epstein-Barr Syndrome (also called glandular fever) allergies, arthritis, fevers, infections, depression, anxiety etc. Although they do sound like a cure-all, it really is not the case - they are simply required in so many body functions, that an increase of enzymes to the optimum level, would in most cases impact positively on a host of health problems. People eating mostly cooked food, athletes, body builders, and all people involved in feeling more energetic and healthy could benefit from these often neglected nutritional compounds. Enemy of enzymesThey are sensitive to heat as well as the surrounding pH. For this reason, food cooked at high heat. Food processing also kills of these entities. The presence of heavy metals, such as mercury, dehydration as well as ultra-violet radiation impair their functions. Other interesting pointsEnzymes do not attach to living cells, but will digest the proteins in dead cells. The reason for this is the fact that enzymes cannot pass through the cell membrane of a living cell, but when the cell dies, the membrane loses this ability and the enzyme can act upon it. People taking dietary enzyme supplements should expect more bowel movements. Food sources of enzymesThe best source of enzymes from your diet comes from raw food, eaten in its original state with no processing. List of enzymes:
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Probiotic Supreme: 120 capsule count - $36.95 |
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Digestive Enzyme Complex: 180 capsule count - $28.95 |
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Probiotic Supreme : 60 capsule count - $19.95
Digestive Enzyme Complex
