Enzymes are a vital part of the digestion process, breaking the food you eat down into easily assimilated particles. Without enzymes, vitamins are worthless because they cannot be absorbed by your body. With enzymes, a little goes a long way. They exist in minuscule quantities but are extremely powerful.
Food enzymes not only assist in the digestion process, they offer a host of other benefits as well. Enzymes can lower cholesterol, cleanse your colon, improve the immune system, provide detoxification, improve muscle and speed the removal of carbon dioxide from your lungs.
There are several different categories of food enzymes. Understanding what they are and what they do can help you decide whether or not you should add them, in supplement form, to your daily diet. Each category of enzyme serves to break down a particular dietary element as follows:
Amylase-Starch,
Cellulase-Fiber,
Lactase-Dairy,
Lipase-Fats,
Protease-Proteins,
Maltase-Grain,
Sucrase-Sugar
You may decide to supplement with cellulase enzymes so that you can more easily digest fiber-rich foods like certain vegetables. Or, if you have problems digesting dairy products, a supplement containing lactase food enzymes may be in order. For those people who are trying to lose weight, lipase food enzymes are worth a look. Many food enzyme supplements contain a combination of the different types of enzymes for maximum efficiency.
Taking food enzyme supplements can serve a wide variety of purposes, including improving blood sugar levels and reducing uncomfortable gas caused by certain foods. One of the most widely used food enzyme supplement on the market today is Beano, used to prevent bloating and gas caused by foods such as raw vegetables, certain fruits and cabbage. Lactaid, another popular food enzyme supplement in the lactase family, aids in the digestion of dairy products such as milk, ice cream and cheese.
In addition to taking food enzyme supplements, make sure to eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Nuts and seeds are also good choices to ensure you get the naturally occurring food enzymes you need to thrive.
Nate Scott is a writer and contributor for Vitabase. He is a professional in the areas of health and nutrition. To learn more about food enzymes visit http://www.vitabase.com/catenymes.asp
