Digestive enzymes help your body break down the foods that you eat to make sure you get the nutrients you need to be healthy. If you experience gut problems, particularly after eating specific foods, it is likely that you need some extra help from digestive enzymes.
Most enzymes are produced naturally by your body and different enzymes break down different types of foods groups such as fat, carbohydrates, protein, fibre, and lactose (dairy).
Common Digestive Enzymes
Amylase
Amylase helps you break down the carbohydrates you eat into sugars that your body can absorb and use for energy. Carbohydrates are found mostly in:
• Grains (bread, cereal, pasta, oats, rice)
• Lentils and beans
• Vegetables (potato, squash, corn, peas)
• Fruit (dried fruit, bananas, pineapple, apple, grapes)
Your body produces amylase naturally in your saliva and pancreas. Amylase in saliva is the first step of your food breakdown, so chewing your foods well before you swallow is important to ensure you produce enough.
Low amylase levels may cause problems with metabolising carbohydrates leading to belly fat, low levels of cholesterol and increased blood pressure.
Protease
Protease is necessary to break down protein in food into amino acids to be absorbed and used by the body. Healthy sources of protein are found mostly in:
• Meat and fish
• Dairy and eggs
• Tofu, tempeh
• Nuts and seeds
Your body naturally produces protease in your stomach, small intestine, and pancreas. Some foods also contain proteases. Pineapple and papaya fruit are two of the richest protease food sources.
Low protease levels may cause problems after your meals such as gas, bloating or abdominal discomfort.
Cellulase
The main function of cellulase is to ensure we digest fibre from plant foods such as fruit and vegetables. It is needed to break down cellulose which is a key part of the outer cellular structure of plants. It helps convert cellulose into beta-glucose, which gives us energy in our bodies.
Cellulase enzymes are not naturally produced by your body. Instead, we have to rely on a healthy diet and gut function. Cellulase is not simply one enzyme but there are many different types of cellulase that operate differently.
Not enough cellulase production can slow down food transit through the digestive system. It’s helpful to have enough cellulase in the body to help break down your plant foods. It will keep food moving through your digestive tract and push waste out of the body.
Lactase
Lactase helps break down lactose, which is found in all sources of dairy foods such as:
• Dairy sourced from animals such as cow, goat, sheep, and buffalo
• Cheese, butter, milk
• Any foods containing dairy
Lactase is an enzyme that is naturally produced by your body in the small intestine. However, if you are intolerant or allergic to dairy, it is likely that you are not producing enough. There are a range of reasons why this is but having increased levels of lactase will aid in the digestion of dairy foods and potentially reduce your allergic response.
Low levels of lactase in the body may cause a range of reactions in the body, bloating, gas and gut discomfort are common. Dairy intolerance may also lead to a range of other issues usually related to skin, respiratory and immunity health.
Lipase
The function of Lipase is to digest fats and lipids by breaking down the fats into molecules tiny enough for your small intestine to absorb. Healthy sources of fat are found in:
• Salmon and mackerel
• Avocado
• Olive and Hemp oil
• Nuts and seeds
Your body naturally produces the enzyme lipase, and it is present in the pancreas, intestines, and a variety of other places in your body. It’s particularly important to look after your pancreas to support healthy lipase enzyme levels. Make sure you limit your animal fat intake and introduce more healthy fats to your diet.
Low levels of lipase may lead to too much fat in the blood, which may accumulate in arteries and around organs such as the liver and heart.
Phloe® Zyme has all the benefits of regular Phloe®, being natural and containing Zyactinase®, the unique kiwifruit extract which has many clinical studies to back its efficacy.
Phloe® Zyme contains additional digestive enzymes to help your gut break down a range of different food groups that may be causing bloating, gas, gut discomfort or other issues.
Key health benefits:
• Supports those who struggle to digest food groups such as fat, dairy, carbs, protein and plant fibre
• Gently normalises bowel movements without causing urgency
• Supports healthy acid balance
• Suitable for long term use
Along with taking Phloe® Zyme, maintaining a healthy diet can help support your digestive enzymes too.
