There’s nothing better than enjoying a delicious meal—and there’s nothing worse than holding your stomach and moaning afterward about digestion problems. That’s where plant enzymes can help.
Indigestion can affect all ages and both sexes. Many people have occasional bouts and reach for over-the-counter medicines to soothe common symptoms, such as:
- gas
- bloating
- burping
- growling stomach
- abdominal pain
- burning sensation
- acidic taste
- nausea
- vomiting
If these symptoms become chronic, it’s wise to check with a health care practitioner to ensure you don’t have an underlying health condition such as a peptic ulcer or gallbladder disease. Digestion problems may also be caused by a lack of digestive enzymes.
Digestive enzymes
A diet of processed and fatty foods, poor eating habits, stress, smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and other lifestyle factors contribute to the depletion of our much needed enzymes.
When we eat, food and drink must be broken down into smaller bits so the body can use them to nourish the body and to provide energy.
Three categories of digestive enzymes play an important role in this process.
Protease
These enzymes break down proteins found in foods such as meat, eggs, and beans into amino acids. Amino acids are absorbed through the small intestine into the blood where they are transported throughout the body to build cells.
Amylase
These enzymes break down carbohydrates such as starch and glycogen. Bread, potatoes, dried peas and beans, rice, pasta, fruits, and vegetables are broken down by amylase to produce energy for the body.
Lipase
These enzymes break down fats, another good source of fuel for the body. Fatty foods include meats, dairy, oils, nuts, and seeds. People with celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and cystic fibrosis may find lipase particularly helpful.
Sometimes people have trouble digesting a particular macronutrient: protein, carbohydrates, or fats. Other times digestion is weakened due to the factors listed above, in which case, a full-spectrum enzyme blend is a good option.
Other enzymatic helpers
Full-spectrum plant enzyme blends can include additional ingredients for added effectiveness. Betaine HCl, for example, increases the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Another ingredient to look for is L-glutamine, an amino acid important for maintaining a healthy digestive tract.
There’s no need to bellyache about discomfort. Use plant-based digestive enzymes as directed for relief of indigestion woes.
