Here's a partial list of the kinds of enzymes that are commonly used
as digestive aids:
Alpha-galactosidase
Amylase
Bromelain
Chymotrypsin
Ficin
Lactase
Lipase
Pancreatin
Papain
Protease
Trypsin
One of the most popular enzyme supplements is alpha-galactosidase,
which has gained fame as an active ingredient in products such as
"Beano" and "EZ-Gest":
"Beano contains 'alpha-galactosidase,' a digestive enzyme derived from
a mold. It is almost always safe, but a rare allergic reaction to the
mold can occur. It also helps reduce gas from broccoli, onions,
lentils, green peppers, cucumbers and many other healthful foods
containing certain complex sugars that we cannot easily digest. All
the benefits of the fiber in legumes remain because Beano acts only on
the sugars.
Intestinal gas mostly results from undigested food, so improving
digestion in any way reduces gas formation. Pancreatin, the blend of
about 50 enzymes released by the pancreas after each meal, could help
if Beano is not well-tolerated."
Austin Chronicle
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2001-12-28/cols_health.html
Many people use proteolytic enzymes (including trypsin, chymotrypsin,
pancreatin, bromelain, papain, and several fungal proteases) as
digestive aids:
"It is quite logical that proteolytic enzymes would help alleviate a
sub-optimal production of the body's own digestives enzymes (which can
occur in various pancreatic conditions). As such, supplemental enzymes
can help alleviate gastrointestinal complaints such as gas/bloating,
diarrhea, and cramps associated with inefficient/incomplete digestion.
There is also some evidence that a small percentage of supplemental
enzymes may be absorbed intact (and active) into the systemic
circulation, where they appear to have anti-inflammatory and pain
relieving actions that can be of benefit to athletes recovering from
exercise/injury and to patients recovering from surgery... There are a
number of clinical trials showing the benefit of using oral
proteolytic enzymes as a digestive aid."
Supplement Watch
http://www.supplementwatch.com/supatoz/supplement.asp?supplementId=353
"Digestive enzymes - which include pancreatic enzymes, plant-derived
enzymes, and fungal-derived enzymes - include three classes of
enzymes: proteolytic enzymes needed to digest protein, lipases needed
to digest fat, and amylases needed to digest carbohydrates. In several
conditions that cause malabsorption, such as pancreatic insufficiency
and cystic fibrosis, doctors sometimes prescribe digestive enzymes to
improve absorption of food.
Doctors often tell people to try using pancreatic enzymes with meals
when they have symptoms of indigestion that cannot be attributed to a
specific cause. In a double-blind study, microencapsulated pancreatic
enzymes were shown to reduce gas, bloating, and fullness after a
high-fat meal.
According to one theory, allergies are triggered by partially
undigested protein. Proteolytic enzymes may reduce allergy symptoms by
further breaking down undigested protein to sizes that are too small
to cause allergic reactions. Limited scientific evidence supports this
theory."
Vitamin Guide: Digestive Enzymes
http://www.mycustompak.com/healthNotes/Supp/Enzymes.htm
"Bromelain is one of a group of proteolytic enzymes (enzymes capable
of digesting protein). It is widely believed that most orally ingested
enzymes are destroyed by the digestive juices prior to being absorbed.
However, there is evidence that significant amounts of bromelain can
be absorbed intact. Proteolytic enzymes other than bromelain are often
used with people who suffer from malabsorption. Although bromelain in
combination with other enzymes and ox bile has been reported to help
digest food, it is generally not used for this purpose. However,
bromelain does contribute to the digestion of protein, and may
therefore be used as a digestive aid."
Vitamin Guide: Bromelain
http://www.mycustompak.com/healthNotes/Supp/Bromelain.htm
"Proteolytic enzymes help you digest the proteins in food. Although
your body produces these enzymes in the pancreas, certain foods also
contain proteolytic enzymes.
Papaya and pineapple are two of the richest plant sources, as attested
by their traditional use as natural 'tenderizers' for meat. Papain and
bromelain are the respective names for the proteolytic enzymes found
in these fruits. The enzymes made in your body are called trypsin and
chymotrypsin.
The primary use of proteolytic enzymes is as a digestive aid for
people who have trouble digesting proteins."
HealingPeople
http://www.healingpeople.com/hp_html/primapub/pg000313.htm
This is an interesting article on fungal proteases:
Vitamin Retailer
http://www.vitaminretailer.com/SIE/articles/FungalEnzymes.htm
It should be noted that, although oral enzyme supplements are quite
popular, there is little, if any, scientific proof that digestive
relief can be attributed to the use of such supplements by healthy
people who have no enzyme deficiencies or pancreatic disease. I have
yet to meet a traditional gastroenterologist who has much faith in
oral enzymes as preventives of indigestion and flatulence. Many of the
proponents of oral enzyme supplementation lean toward "alternative"
schools of thought, and hard evidence is less plentiful than anecdotal
endorsements:
"Proteolytic enzymes help you digest the proteins in food. Although
your body produces these enzymes in the pancreas, certain foods also
contain proteolytic enzymes. Papaya and pineapple are two of the
richest plant sources, as attested by their traditional use as natural
'tenderizers' for meat. Papain and bromelain are the respective names
for the proteolytic enzymes found in these fruits. The enzymes made in
your body are called trypsin and chymotrypsin. The primary use of
proteolytic enzymes is as a digestive aid for people who have trouble
digesting proteins. However, proteolytic enzymes also appear to reduce
pain and inflammation, which has made them popular in Europe as a
treatment for sports injuries and as an aid in recovery from surgery.
Many practitioners of alternative medicine believe that proteolytic
enzymes can be helpful for food allergies and autoimmune diseases.
However, there is little to no scientific evidence as yet that they
really work for these conditions.
...You don't need to get proteolytic enzymes from food, because the
body manufactures them (primarily trypsin and chymotrypsin). However,
deficiencies in proteolytic enzymes do occur, usually resulting from
diseases of the pancreas. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, gas,
indigestion, poor absorption of nutrients, and passing undigested food
in the stool.... The most obvious use of proteolytic enzymes is to
assist digestion. However, a small double-blind placebo-controlled
trial found no benefit from proteolytic enzymes as a treatment for
dyspepsia (indigestion)."
GrowItAll
http://www.growtall.com/chymotrypsin.htm
If a personal perspective may be permitted, I have had quite a few
digestive difficulties ever since my colon was surgically removed
thirty years ago. Although all my gasteroenterologists have shrugged
off the efficacy of oral enzymes, I have tried several dozen products,
none of which seemed to have any effect other than to lighten my
pocketbook. On the other hand, I have friends and relatives who swear
by various enzymatic supplements.
Here is one of the best articles I've seen on digestive enzyme
supplements. If you decide to give digestive enzymes a try, be sure to
read the material under "Dosage Information" and "Guidelines for Use":
Whole Health MD
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10051,00.html
Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: "digestive enzymes"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22digestive+enzymes
Google Web Search: "proteolytic enzymes"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22proteolytic+enzymes
Google Web Search: "alpha-galactosidase"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22alpha-galactosidase
Google Web Search: "pancreatin"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=pancreatin
Google Web Search: "bromelain"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=bromelain
I hope this is helpful! Please keep in mind that Google Answers is not
a source of authoritative medical assistance; the data presented above
is for informational purposes, and is not intended as a diagnosis, nor
as a substitute for the services of a qualified medical professional.
If anything I've said is unclear, if you have a question about a
specific area of my research, or if a link doesn't work for you,
please request clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance
before you rate my answer.
Best wishes,
pinkfreud |
