Enzymes

What are Digestive Enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are required to break down foods that we ingest.  These enzymes are very specific for the foods they do break down.  For example, the proteins we consume must be broken down to their constituent components, the amino acids.  Once they are broken down, they can be used by the body.

Proteins are composed of linked amino acid chains, and when unlinked, can be absorbed by the small intestines into the blood stream where later, they are “re-linked” into new and different proteins our body requires.  The digestion of proteins starts in the stomach when they are exposed to stomach acid.  Further into the small intestines, enzymes start the process of disassembling the proteins into amino acids.

Many adults as well as children, due to certain health conditions, may produce sub optimal amounts of these digestive enzymes, specifically referred to as proteases, resulting in poor protein digestion.  It is the job of these proteases to break down protein into amino acids.  But this is not the whole picture.

Fats that are ingested also require very specific digestive enzymes to break fats (commonly referred to as lipids) into their basic building blocks which are called fatty acids.  Only fatty acids can be absorbed in the small intestine.  One could see that if fats are not sufficiently broken down, then one will pass a lot of fat into the large colon…mixed with the stool.  Digestive enzymes that are specific for breaking down fats are called lipase.

Carbohydrates to need to undergo digestion and require the presence of an enzyme call Amylase.  Amylase is able to break down complex carbohydrates into basic sugars which will then be absorbed by the small intestine.  If the consumption of carbohydrates exceeds the body’s ability to break them down, they too, will pass into the large colon and mix with the stool.

So what is the problem with carbohydrates, proteins, and fats entering the large colon?

The incomplete breakdown of the foods we eat can have significant and far reaching health implications that include:

•    abdominal pain
•    bloating
•    gas production
•    constipation
•    diarrhea

The symptoms and results of poor digestion I routinely see in my clinic include:
•    headaches
•    irritability
•    food sensitivities
•    bowel discomfort
•    foul breath
•    hyperactivity
•    short attention span
•    overgrowth of certain bacteria and yeast
•    And even aggression in children

In some cases, particularly significant losses of nutrients predispose the body to a medical condition known as Failure to Thrive.  In these cases, children cannot absorb enough calories to gain weight.  They generally have a growth chart where they are the same weight for many months, have thin extremities and usually have an irritable nature.  Digestive enzymes can certainly help with the break down of foods to make them more absorbable and thus, more able to be utilized by the body.

Supplemental broad spectrum (covers the most of the spectrum of digestion) digestive enzymes may actually support digestive health and restoration of the process of breaking down foods and the absorption of the smaller compounds.  At Kartzinel Health, we have created a digestive enzyme that combines the best proteases (protein digestive enzymes), lipases (fat digestive enzymes), and amylases (carbohydrate digestive enzymes).  But we did not stop there.  Since foods we eat are quite varied, we have added the following:

•    Peptizyme SP® enzymes hydrolyze (break down) difficult-to-digest proline-containing peptides
•    Alpha-Amylase and Beta-Amylase assist in the hydrolysis of carbohydrates and starches
•    Proteases help keep the intestines free of parasites, bacteria, yeast and protozoa
•    Proteases help break down proteins
•    Proteases are stable through the pH range of the digestive tract
•    Lipase works with the bile from the liver to break down fat
•    Lactase assists in the breakdown of lactose
•    Invertase and Maltase assist in the digestion of carbohydrates, beans and legumes
•    Invertase catalyzes (causes or accelerates) the hydrolysis of sucrose
•    Maltase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the disaccharide maltose
•    Maltase is equivalent to Alpha-Glucosidase in relieving gas, bloating and upset stomach
•    HemiSeb® (hemicellulase) assist in the breakdown of indigestible fiber
•    Hemicellulase catalyzes the hydrolysis of hemicellulose
•    Hemicellulase aids the digestion of the cell wall of Candida, helping the yeast die
•    Hemicellulase helps support the intestines reducing gas and bloat
•    Cellulase catalyzes the hydrolysis of cellulose
•    Bromelain aids digestion, helps reduce inflammation and helps digest protein
•    May be used for a GFCF diet to ensure complete breakdown of protein safely
•    100% Vegetarian and suitable for Vegans

Hypoallergenic
Our specific formulation contains NO artificial ingredients, colors, flavors, additives, stimulants, wheat, dairy, gluten, casein, soy, corn, nuts, animal products or preservatives that can rob you of your good health. 100% Vegetarian and suitable for Vegans.

Premium Quality
All the ingredients in KH Enzymes are of the highest quality, their benefits are numerous and they are formulated using Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in our FDA Registered manufacturing facilities. They are manufactured with a process that does not require the use of lubricants or flow agents assuring the purity of KH Enzymes and bypassing the need for any superfluous ingredients.