Pro-EnzymesTM
Vegetarian Capsules
Digestive complaints? Think
Pro-Enzymes.
Why? Because enzymes are involved in every stage of the
digestive process [1]. Balance and harmony are important
to the entire process because, remarkably, insufficient
enzymes can contribute to constipation and insufficient
enzymes can contribute to diarrhea [2-3]. Active enzyme
levels often decrease with age [2] (complaints of
indigestion tend to increase with age). Various
illnesses (and antibiotics) can upset natural intestinal
flora, which are critical to the digestive process [4],
and can lead to ingestion.
The primary point of digestion is to get food particles
small enough to be absorbed [3]. Through the process of
mastication, food is broken down into smaller pieces.
Saliva contains the enzyme amylase which helps digesting
certain starches. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid is
released along with various proteolytic (protease)
enzymes. From the stomach, the digested food (now called
chyme) enters the duodenum. If lipids are detected, the
hormone cholecystochinin is released. This triggers the
gall bladder to secrete bile into the duodenum. Bile
emulsifies lipids so that they can be digested. When the
chyme enters the duodenum, the pancreas secretes a
solution of sodium bicarbonate and various enzymes (such
as amylase, lipase, and protease) [2,3]. These enzymes
digest their respective portions of the chyme (i.e.
lipase digests the lipids); however if the chyme has not
been properly broken down through mastication, stomach
digestion, or bile, indigestion can occur [2]).
Intestinal bacteria essentially finish the process of
digestion, and if the intestinal flora is inadequate or
dietary fiber is inadequate indigestion, diarrhea,
and/or constipation can occur [4].
Pro-Enzymes
is a 100% Food
vegan supplement that is intended to supply enzymes,
probiotics, and herbs needed to maintain and support
optimal digestive health. The enzymes, herbs, and
probiotics in this product are all plant source. This is
a true vegan digestive and probiotic support product.
Amylases
are enzymes which are needed to digest starches and
related carbohydrates [2]. Specifically, amylases
"catalyze the hydrolysis of alpha-1, 4-glycosidic
linkages to polysaccharides to yield dextrins,
oligosaccharides, maltose, and D-glucose" [4]. "Amylases
are used as digestants" [4].
Beet root
is
an herb which provides fiber and "is used as supportive
therapy in diseases of the liver and fatty liver" [5].
Caraway
is
an herb which provides fiber and "is used for
gastrointestinal cramps, flatulence and feelings of
fullness, as well as nervous cardiac-gastric complaints"
[5].
Cellulase
is an enzyme which is helpful for digesting cellulose
which is contained in most plants [4]. "Cellulase is
used as a digestive aid...and for the management of
flatulence [4].
Crude and dietary
fiber is contained within the herbal ingredients of
Pro-Enzymes
[6]--both fibers are important for human health. Few
women meet the National Cancer Institute recommendations
for consuming 20g of fiber per day [7]. Dietary fiber
helps regulate nutrient absorption, sterol metabolism,
cecal fermentation, and stool weight [7]. Shortages may
lead to cholesterol problems, certain cancers, digestive
problems, and nutrient problems [7,8].
Gentian root
is an herb which provides fiber [6]. It also has been
used "to stimulate bile secretion and alleviate loss of
appetite, fullness, and flatulence" [5] and "can
stimulate appetite and improve digestion [9].
Ginger root
is an herb that contains fiber and can reduce nausea
[6]. "Modern uses include prophylaxis for nausea and
vomiting (associated with motion sickness, hyperemesis
gravidum and surgical anesthesia), dyspepsia, lack of
appetite, anorexia, colic, bronchitis, and rheumatic
complaints" [9]. It also "promotes secretion of saliva,
gastric juices and bile" [5]. Its ability as an
anti-emetic was proven in a double-blind trial were it
was shown to prevent motion/sea sickness [5].
Glucomylase
is
an enzyme for the digestion of maltose. It also "is the
enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis and absorption of
short polymers of glucose" [10] and appears helpful to
reduce diarrhea [10].
Invertase
is
an enzyme for digesting sucrose. It "attacks beta-D-fructofuranoside
(raffinose, stachyose and sucrose" [11]. "Invertase
activity is stable between pH 2.6 and 5.5...maximum
activity observed at pH 4.5" [11].
Lactase
is an enzyme for digesting lactose. "Lactose intolerance
is a benign gastrointestinal disorder caused by a
deficiency of lactase necessary for the digestion of
milk sugar" [12].
Lactobacillus acidophilus
is a probiotic which helps increase intestinal flora and
thus improve the colon"s environment [4,13]. It also has
"demonstrated antioxidant ability" [4]. "Probiotics have
been used for some benefit in the prevention and
treatment of some gastrointestinal disorders including
anti-biotic associated diarrhea and some infectious and
viral diarrheas...lactose intolerance, sucrase and
maltase deficiencies and inflammatory bowel disease"
[4].
Lipase
is
an enzyme which helps digest lipids (fats) [2,14].
Nearly all the digestion of lipids occurs in the
intestines.
Magnesium
is a mineral, naturally found in the herbal foods
contained within
Pro-Enzymes
[6]. Dr. Bernard Jensen has written, "Man must have the
biochemic (organic) form--food magnesium--rather than
the inorganic form" [15]. "Signs and symptoms of
magnesium deficiency include anorexia, nausea and
vomiting, diarrhea...and has been implicated in
increased insulin resistance" [4] and magnesium can help
prevent constipation [4].
Manganese
is
a mineral, naturally found in the herbal foods contained
within
Pro-Enzymes [6]. Deficiency can result
in "impaired insulin metabolism and abnormal glucose
intolerance" [4]. The liver and pancreas depend on
manganese for their secretions [15]
Potassium
is
a mineral, naturally found in the herbal foods contained
within
Pro-Enzymes [6]. Dr. Jensen also wrote,
"Health in general, mental and physical, is accentuated
by potassium...Potassium
Must be Supplied in Food Form" [15].
Potassium may be helpful because it is one of the body"s
most important electrolytes [4].
Protease
enzymes help digest proteins [2]. Although the primary
area in which proteins are digested is the stomach,
further breakdown occurs in the intestines as well.
The vegetarian
100%
Food
Pro-Enzymes formula contains the
enzymes, herb, fiber, minerals, and probiotics that can
help optimize digestion (it is also in vegetarian
capsules). It is no wonder that when they think of
digestive problems, doctors interested in natural health
think
Pro-Enzymes.
Pro-Enzymes combines vegetarian enzymes,
herbs, fiber, naturally occurring Food
minerals, and probiotics for a balanced vegetarian
digestive product. Pro-Enzymes provides
amylase for digesting starches, beet root and other
herbs for fiber and digestive support, cellulase for
digesting cellulose, glucomylase for digesting maltose,
guar gum for fiber and probiotic purposes, invertase for
digesting sucrose, lactase for digesting lactose,
Lactobacillus acidophilus for a probiotic, lipase
for digesting fats, magnesium for its over 300 metabolic
reactions including nutrient absorption, manganese for
its role in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, potassium
for promoting good peristalsis, and protease for
digesting proteins.
Suggested use: 1-3 per meal or as recommended by your
health care professional. Adjust usage according to
nutritional lifestyle requirements.
References
[1] Dressler D and Potter H. Discovering Enzymes.
Scientific American, New York, 1991
[2] Howell E. Enzyme Nutrition. Avery Publishing, Wayne
(NJ), 1985
[3] Jenkins DJA, Wolever TMS, Jenkins AL. Diet factors
affecting nutrient absorption and metabolism. In Modern
Nutrition in Health and Disease, 8th ed. Lea & Febiger,
Phil.:583-602, 1994
[4] Sheldon S, Rorvik D, editors. PDR for Nutritional
Supplements. Medical Economics, Montvale (NJ), 2001
[5] Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, editors. PDR
for Herbal Medicines, 2nd ed. Medical Economics,
Montvale (NJ), 2000
[6] Pederson M. Nutritional Herbology: A Reference Guide
to Herbs. Whitman Books, Warsaw (IN), 1998
[7] Thompson FE, et al. Sources of fiber and fat in the
diets of U.S. women ages 19 to 50: implications for
nutritional education and policy. Am J Pub Health 1992,
82(5):695-702
[8] Dietary fiber: importance of function as well as
amount. Lancet 1992, 340:1133-1134
[9] Burnham S, et al editors. The Review of Natural
Products, 1st ed. Facts and Comparisons, St. Louis, 2001
[10] Mahta DI, et al. New strategies for the use of
short polymers of glucose in diarrhea. Clin Pedr
1994:675-682
[11] Rubio MC, Runco R, Navarro AR. Invertase from a
strain of Rhodotorula glutinis. Phyochemistry,
2002;61(6):605-609
[12] Bahna SL. Is it milk allergy or lactose
intolerance? Immunol Allergy Clin N America,
1996;16(1):187-198
[13] Marteau P. Prebotics and probiotics for
gastrointestinal health. Clin Nutr, 2001:20(Sup 1):41-45
[14] Sbarra V, et al. Digestive lipases of the newborn
ferret: compensatory role of milk bile salt-dependent
lipase. Pediatr Res, 1996; 40 (2):263-268
[15] Jensen B. The Chemistry of Man., vol I. Bernard
Jensen Enterprises, Escondido (CA), 1983
Some of these studies (or citations) may not conform to
peer review standards, therefore, the results are not
conclusive. Professionals can, and often do, come to
different conclusions when reviewing scientific data.
None of these statements have been
reviewed by the FDA.
All products
distributed by Doctors" Research, Inc. are nutritional
and are not intended for the treatment or prevention of
any medical condition.
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