Digestive Enzymes: The Undiscovered Key to Health

By Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS

You know the old saying, “You are what you eat?” Fuggedaboutit. These days, knowledgeable health professionals are much more likely to say the far more accurate, “You are what you digest… and what you absorb”.

Digestive health isn’t always the sexiest topic in anti-aging medicine, but it’s one of the most critical for your overall well-being. Here’s why: You can eat the best food in the world and take enormous care with your diet, but if you’re not breaking that food down properly, you’re not going to absorb the nutrients within it.

When you’re not properly breaking down your food, “under-digested” food goes through the digestive tract and some of the larger molecules get through into the bloodstream where they’re seen as invaders by the immune system. This can create all kinds of problems.

Adding to the problem, there can be an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria in the small intestine and colon resulting in a condition called “dysbiosis”. According to Elizabeth Lipski, PhD, CCN, author of Digestive Wellness, dysbiosis may result in conditions ranging from eczema to food sensitivities to irritable bowel to inflammatory bowel disease.

One of the most critical steps in the food breakdown process is provided by digestive enzymes. Unfortunately, as we age, there’s a decline in the very enzymes needed to harvest those essential nutrients from the foods we consume. Couple this with diminishing levels of stomach acid and the above-mentioned imbalance between the beneficial bacteria in the gut (collectively called probiotics) and the “bad” bacteria (like H. pylori), and you’ve got a recipe for digestive disaster.

Enter supplemental digestive enzymes. Virtually everyone over 40 can benefit from them, and the benefits are wide-ranging: better digestive health, improved immunity, and even decreased inflammation. Without a good army of digestive enzymes working for you, many foods may not be completely digested, and this leads to a wide range of symptoms from bloating to gas to inflammation.

The sad fact is, the consequences of poor digestive health can be substantial, particularly in older people. One study¹ found a very high rate of vitamin, mineral and omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies in a population 70 and older.

Equally troubling is the frequent deficiency in this population of vitamin B12, which is essential for proper brain and nervous system function. A recent study published in Neurology found low levels of vitamin B12 in an elderly population were associated with a shrinking brain.²

Here is a short guide to some of the most important digestive enzymes:

Pepsin: In combination with stomach acid (hydrochloric acid, HCl) helps break down proteins
Protease: Breaks down protein into amino acids
Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates into smaller sugar molecules
Lipase: Facilitates the breakdown of fats
Papain (from papaya): Aids with protein digestion

The best digestive enzyme supplements have a mix of these important digestive enzymes plus other helpful synergistic ingredients like hydrochloric acid, a subject worthy of entire column.

Here’s the short version of what you need to know about HCl. Don’t be fooled by the marketing slogans of companies selling you antacids for your “excess acid”. The truth about heartburn and GERD is that most people who suffer from those problems have too little acid in their stomachs, not too much — and the acid that is there tends to go to the wrong place.

Antacids are a really bad idea — you need acid in your stomach for many reasons, too numerous to go into here; paradoxically, most digestive illnesses that are experienced as “acid stomach” can be helped immeasurably by a change in diet and adding more HCl, which is frequently found as part of an overall digestive enzyme supplement.

Low production of stomach acid — a condition called hypochlorhydria — affects about 40% of the population over 40 and about half of those over 50. One reason that apple cider vinegar is such a popular folk treatment is that it acidifies the stomach and improves digestion, thus having the potential to help with a wide range of conditions.

I consider digestive enzymes with HCl (hydrochloric acid) one of the seven top supplements you can take for your health.

References

1. Carriere I. et al. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2007 Jan; 77(1): 57-65.
2. Vogiatzoglou, A. et al. Neurology, Volume 71, September 9, 2008, 826-832.

[Ed. note: Dr. Bowden is a nationally known expert on weight loss, nutrition and health.]

Health & Immunity
What Can You Do For A Slow Healing Open Wound?
By Craig Klawuhn

Did you ever have a wound or sore that simply does not heal no matter what you try? Perhaps it’s even been treated by a physician, but still remains.

This type of wound is characterized by skin deterioration to the point where the underlying tissue is exposed. Such wounds are also called sores or ulcers and can have a variety of causes. But they all have one thing in common — prompt treatment is important to prevent infection and further deterioration of the surrounding area.

Here are some examples of slow-healing wounds:

• Ulcers often form on the leg and foot as a complication of diabetes.
• Pressure Sores (also known as bedsores) are caused by constant pressure on an area of the skin
• Venous Skin Ulcers develop when veins don’t allow blood to flow back to the heart normally.
• A Wound or Open Sore may have many different causes such as incisions, lacerations, abrasions, puncture, penetration, and gunshot.

If you have a wound that will not heal in a reasonable period of time, it is always wise to seek medical treatment. But is there something you can do initially to prevent a wound from getting worse and help it heal more quickly?

According to foot surgeon, Dr. Paul R. Glaser, the answer is yes. He often advises his patients to use a natural-ingredient over-the-counter topical spray and foam to speed healing on foot wounds including diabetic ulcers, infected ingrown toenails, psoriasis, and post-op lesions.¹

The results he has seen are often dramatic:

• Chronic diabetic ulcers have been healed in 6 weeks.²
• Pain and burning is greatly relieved when regularly applied post surgery.³
• The risk of infection is greatly diminished with regular use.³
• Overall healing time after a common surgical procedure has been reduced to 2 to 3 weeks compared with a more usual 3 to 5 weeks with topical antibiotics alone.⁴

Why can a natural product often heal wounds better than prescription drugs? The answer is simple… By using ingredients that support the natural action of the body’s immune system, you can achieve the desired result in a safe, non-invasive manner.

For example, the natural treatment Dr. Glaser recommends contains an enzyme called lysozyme that is found in the tears, saliva, mucus, urine and salt water body fluids. Lysozyme targets harmful bacteria while sparing beneficial ones.

The treatment also contains sea salt with all the trace minerals left intact. The sea salt solution provides an ideal pH environment for the lysozyme to work, as well as nutrients that support new cell growth. This creates a product that’s so safe it can be sprayed directly in the eyes or mouth, yet effectively supports and speeds the body’s natural healing process.

While you should always consult with your physician for any chronic medical condition, you may find a natural product will encourage your body’s own innate healing ability better than conventional preparations.

References

1. “What’s In Your Medicine Cabinet”, presentation by Paul Glaser, DPM, FACAS, Summit Podiatry, North Carolina.
2. “Porokeratosis of Mibelli”, presentation by Paul Glaser, DPM, FACAS, Summit Podiatry, North Carolina.
3. “Study In The Use Of Ocean Aid Products In Common Podiatric Conditions”, presentation by Paul Glaser, DPM, FACAS Summit Podiatry, North Carolina.
4. “Post-Op Phenol-Alcohol Procedure”, Study In The Use Of Ocean Aid Products In Common Podiatric Conditions, presentation by Paul Glaser, DPM, FACAS Summit Podiatry, North Carolina.

[Ed. Note: Craig Klawuhn is a health marketing executive. He has been immersed personally and professionally in the natural product/nutraceutical industry for 33 years. One of his greatest passions is researching and discovering holistic products that heal people, animals, and ultimately, the planet we inhabit. For more information, click here.]

Healthy Nutrition:
Curried Lentil Soup
By Laura LaValle, RD, LD

This spicy healing East Indian-style soup is sure to warm you up this winter. Pink lentils cook in just minutes and are a great partner to warm spices. Feel free to experiment with the heat level by adding more or less ground chili pepper; lentils can take a good bit of spice.

Serves: 12
Time to Table: 30 minutes

Healing Nutrient Spotlight
Excellent source of copper and manganese
Good source of iron, thiamin, and folate

Ingredients*
1 medium onion, chopped
2 T. coconut oil
2 cups uncooked pink lentils
6 cups filtered water
2 T. curry powder
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 tsp. cardamom
1 tsp. ginger
¼ tsp. ground red chili pepper (use more or less to taste)
1 tsp. sea salt

*Use organic ingredients for optimal nutrition.

Preparation
Pour lentils into a strainer and rinse with water. Remove any foreign particles like small pebbles. Set aside to drain. Meanwhile, in 5 qt. saucepan, sauté onions in coconut oil until softened and slightly caramelized. Add spices except for salt and sauté for 3 more minutes, stirring frequently. Add lentils, water and garlic. Bring soup to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook soup for about 20 to 30 minutes or until lentils are tender and begin to lose their shape. Add salt and adjust seasonings if necessary. Makes 12 servings, 2/3 cup each.

Nutrition
140 calories, 8 g protein, 20 g carbohydrates, 3 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, .6 g sugar, 4 g fiber, 29 IU vitamin A, .17 mg thiamin, .53 mg niacin, .12 mg pantothenic acid, .15 mg vitamin B-6, 70 mcg folate, 22 mg calcium, .43 mg copper, 2.79 mg iron, 28 mg magnesium, .56 mg manganese, 220 mg potassium, 2.89 mcg selenium, 190 mg sodium, 1.32 mg zinc

[Ed. Note: Laura B. LaValle, RD, LD is presently the director of dietetics nutrition at LaValle Metabolic Institute.]

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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs [Issue 01-30-09] which offers alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/