Enzymes are large highly specialized proteins that are produced in living cells of plants, animals and microorganisms, that act as the catalysts for chemical reactions. A catalyst is “a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions than otherwise possible; an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action”. Specifically, an enzyme is a biocatalyst, something that makes something else work or work faster. Every cell in the body uses enzymes for building, maintenance, and repair. All living organisms require enzymes for growth and for the production and utilization of energy which is essential for life.
Generally speaking, having the right amount of enzymes in your body helps the body break down fiber (cellulase), protein (protease), carbohydrates (amylase), and fats (lipase). There are thousands of enzymes and are classified by the type of reaction they catalyze. For example, in the human digestive tract there are proteases, carbohydrases, and lipases that break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats, respectively, into smaller substances that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
They fall into two main categories: systemic enzymes and digestive enzymes. Both provide many benefits. While systemic enzymes help the body with overall healing and wellness, digestive enzymes support the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and various aspects of digestive health.
***Learn more about systemic enzymes here: Dr. Kenawy’s Ultra Proteo-Zimes™ Enteric Coated supplement***
...so what exactly are digestive enzymes?
Digestive enzymes, true to their name, aid the digestive process. Digestive enzymes do all their work in the gastrointestinal tract and help combat common issues such as indigestion, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and gas. Many people find that their digestive system is more efficient and self-maintaining when their digestive enzymes are in check. [1]
Benefits of Digestive Enzymes include (but not limited to) [2]:
- Easier breakdown of food for better absorption.
- Healthier relief in pancreatic insufficiency (PI).
- Better promotion of diet tolerance for vegetarians or vegans.
- Alleviates certain digestive intolerances.
- Supports a healthy balance in the body’s microbiome.
- They help us absorb vital nutrients from the foods we need and they help a healthy body perform even better.
Symptoms of Low Enzyme Levels [1]:
- Inadequate digestive enzyme levels lead to food rotting in the intestines. This can create:
- bloating,
- indigestion,
- gas,
- abdominal discomfort.
- heartburn,
- lethargy,
- food in your stool that hasn’t been properly digested
- Lack of systemic enzymes also allows waste to build up throughout the bloodstream and lymph system, stressing the immune system’s ability to keep up. ***Learn more about systemic enzymes here: Dr. Kenawy’s Ultra Proteo-Zimes™ Enteric Coated supplement***
As with all of Dr. Kenawy's professional line products, we use the best manufactures in making our formulas. Dr. Kenawy’s Superzymes™ is a multi-enzyme formula, containing both animal and plant derived enzymes, designed to support normal, healthy digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. The digestion of food involves a complex system of organs, hormones and enzymes. Many people have difficulty digesting foods, particularly as they age. The incomplete or partial digestion of foods can lead to uncomfortable side effects. Many of the indications are quite clear; intestinal gas, bloating, cramping, heartburn and diarrhea. However, some effects are not as clear, such as the poor utilization of food and even nutrient deficiencies (poor absorption of nutrients) that may go unnoticed. If you have problems digesting all kinds of foods, or have recurrent digestive issues, the Superzymes product might be the best fit for you. Its potent formula contains extra support such as (but not limited to) Ox Bile Extract, which is an excellent supplement for those who've had their gallbladder removed. And, it contains Betaine hydrochloride which provides the digestive system with hydrochloric acid, and Pepsin which is another acidic enzyme – both aid general digestion in the stomach. †
Features:
- Contains betaine HCL, a form of hydrochloric acid.
- Provides pepsin, bromelain and papain to help support protein digestion.
- Ox bile extract helps to emulsify fat, preparing it for digestion.
- Pancreatin is a combination of digestive enzymes that help to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
†Benefits:
- Betaine HCL is a mild form of hydrochloric acid which helps to support the digestive process, particularly the beginning of protein digestion before food moves on to the intestines.†
- Betaine HCL helps eliminate potential pathogens found in foods and beverages.
- Aging and medications such as antacids can reduce the production and effectiveness of HCL, which may exacerbate digestive problems and other essential nutrients.
- HCL is especially important for the absorption of many nutrients including calcium, folic acid, B12, and iron.
- Besides nutrient deficiency, a reduction in HCL can slow down the digestive process, resulting in food remaining in the stomach for a longer period of time, often leading to digestive discomfort.
- Pepsin is an enzyme that begins the process of protein digestion in the stomach.
- This proteolytic enzyme is designed to function in an environment where there are a low pH and high acid content, such as the stomach.†
- Bromelain is derived from pineapple, and is a proteolytic enzyme which helps break down protein.†
- Papain is derived from papaya and provides an array of proteolytic enzymes to support protein digestion.
- Ox bile extract helps to emulsify fat, which prepares it for digestion by fat-digesting enzymes (lipases).†
- Pancreatin contains amylase for carbohydrate digestion, protease for protein digestion, and lipase for fat digestion. The combination of these digestive enzymes in pancreatin has been shown to provide significant support to the digestion and absorption of essential nutrients.
CAUTION: Do not take this if you suffer from gastric ulcers, gastritis or persistent abdominal pain. Not recommended for children under 12.
†These statements have not been evaluated by The Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your General Practitioner. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
References:
[1] Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM. (2018, June 19). The Difference Between Systemic Enzymes and Digestive Enzymes. Dr. Group’s Healthy Living Articles. https://globalhealing.com/natural-health/difference-systemic-enzymes-digestive-enzymes/
[2] The Difference Between Systemic and Digestive Enzymes. (2019, May 30). World Nutrition, Inc. https://worldnutrition.net/the-difference-between-systemic-and-digestive-enzymes/?sscid=71k4_bsclc