The Missing Piece to Gut Health?!

When it comes to gut health, probiotics, and prebiotics are the stars of the show.

But every star needs supporting actors.

Today, I will tell you about the unsung heroes of your digestive system that you can’t live without.

They do everything from aiding digestion to supporting a healthy inflammatory response and boosting heart health.

Have you ever wondered what happens to your food after you eat it?

Probably not.

But your body needs a steady supply of digestive enzymes in your gut to adequately digest and absorb nutrients from your food.

There are different types of enzymes for different kinds of foods.

For example, amylase breaks down carbohydrates, proteases break down proteins into amino acids, lipase breaks down fat, and lactase breaks down lactose from dairy.

First and foremost, enzymes help you absorb nutrients from food. They start chemical reactions that break the food down into smaller molecules that are then absorbed through your gut lining.

Without enough enzymes, you won’t get all the nutrients you need. And because more of the food stays in your digestive tract, you can develop digestive issues like bloating and an upset stomach.

But their usefulness goes way BEYOND gut benefits.

• Digestive enzymes support a healthy inflammatory response.
• They play a role in maintaining a healthy immune system.
• Animal studies show these enzymes promote heart health by supporting healthy triglyceride and cholesterol levels. This is partly due to their ability to increase short-chain fatty acids, which inhibit cholesterol synthesis.
• Supplementing with lipase enzymes before a high-fat meal decreases fullness, improves GI comfort, and supports digestion.
• A recent animal study revealed the enzyme bromelain increases the thickness of the mucosa lining of your gut wall. This allows the lining to secrete more digestive enzymes and promotes nutrient absorption.

And those are just a few of their many roles.

The bottom line is clear. Enzymes are ESSENTIAL for both good gut health AND overall health.

You can boost your levels by eating more enzyme-rich foods. These include pineapple, papaya, honey, banana, and fermented foods.

For additional support, digestive enzymes are available as dietary supplements. You can use a blend or take individual enzymes you know you’re deficient in.

P.S. A bloated belly can really make you miserable. Before your next battle with a gassy tummy, stock your medicine cabinet with these NATURAL bloat blockers.

SOURCES:

“An HJ. Papain Ameliorates Lipid Accumulation and Inflammation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Mice and 3T3-L1 Adipocytes via AMPK Activation.” Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Sep 14;22(18):9885. doi: 10.3390/ijms22189885. PMID: 34576066; PMCID: PMC8468764.

“Effects of Proteases from Pineapple and Papaya on Protein Digestive Capacity and Gut Microbiota in Healthy C57BL/6 Mice and Dose-Manner Response on Mucosal Permeability in Human Reconstructed Intestinal 3D Tissue Model.” Metabolites. 2022 Oct 26;12(11):1027. doi: 10.3390/metabo12111027. PMID: 36355110; PMCID: PMC9696696.