The primary digestive enzymes are the hydrolases because they help break down food by adding a water molecule. The three main classes are:
Enzymes are important substances found naturally in the body and in raw foods. If someone does not produce enough enzymes to properly break down their food for proper absorption, they can experience symptoms such as gas, constipation, bloating and heartburn. Supplemental enzymes typically come from two sources:
Why choose plant-based enzymes over animal-based enzymes?
Digestive enzyme supplementation is believed to be helpful for a large number of health conditions, including:
Digestion - Plant-based enzymes appear to not only improve the break down of macronutrients but also improve hydrochloric acid production in those with low stomach acid. Pain/Inflammation - Some find help from using digestive enzymes or bromelain as anti-inflammatory agents that reduce swelling. It is useful in post-traumatic responses and swelling and after surgery. Bromelain's most popular use has been to reduce joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (500 - 2000 mg daily - taken in 2 doses away from meals). Anti-aging Properties - enzymes reduce tissue irritation. Cardiovascular Disease - Enzymes reduce platelet aggregation, arterial plaquing, and clot formation (400 to 1,000 mg daily has been shown to reduce the symptoms of angina pectoris).
TRANS FATTY ACIDS (TFAs): TFAs are produced when the hydrogenation process is not complete, and some double bonds are left unsaturated. Long-chain TFAs do not naturally occur and are harmful by-products of the hydrogenation process. Approximately one third of all edible oils produced are hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated. High levels of TFAs have been associated with an increased risk of:
MODIFIED OILS: Modification can mean either fractionation of the oil to isolate a fraction with a higher composition of saturated fatty acids or a chemical modification process called interesterification. Interesterification is relatively new and has been adopted by the food industry to phase out hydrogenation. This chemical process forces into oil either a saturated fatty acid (i.e. steric acid) or a fat with a high composition of a fatty acid that is solid at room temperature, (e.g. tung oil, which is over 80% alpha-eleostearic acid - a fatty acid with two trans double bonds), displacing some of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, turning the oil into a solid. The resulting fat is labeled 'modified'. The chemically modified oils have been shown to increase an individual's risk for developing diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease. THE SOLUTION;
Check the ingredient list on the label and DON'T BUY PRODUCTS that contain HYDROGENATED/PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OR MODIFIED OILS! They only exist to make money for the food industry and adversely affect your health! The body can produce its own fatty acids except for alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6). These must be provided in the diet and are therefore called essential fatty acids (EFAs). OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS: This group of fatty acids has 18, 20, or 22 carbons in the chain and three or more double bonds starting on the third carbon from the end of the chain (called the omega end). PLANT SOURCES FISH SOURCES - GROUND FLAX SEED - SARDINES - PUMPKIN SEEDS - SALMON - CHIA SEEDS - MACKERAL - HEMP SEEDS - HERRING - FLAX SEED OIL - OMEGA 3 FISH OIL OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS This group of fatty acids has 18 or 20 carbons in the chain and two or more double bonds starting on the sixth carbon from the omega end. Plant foods like corn and sunflower seeds are high in the lower chain omega-6 fatty acids. THE CHEMISTRY OF EFAS As mentioned, there are two essential fatty acids in the human diet: alpha-linolenic acid and linolenic acid. All other fatty acids in the body can be created from these two and are thus considered nonessential. EFAs play a role in many biological processes including:
In general, the optimal omega-6 : omega-3 ratio in the diet is believed to be at least 4:1. Most North Amercians consume 10-20 times more omega-6 than omega-3. Obviously, getting enough omega-6s is not a problem. It is the omega-3s that need to be supplemented daily either through food or supplementation.
With proper intake of Omega-3s, the following serious conditions may be avoided:
|