You may not know it, but our digestive systems need more than mere food to function properly – they also need vitamins and minerals in that food. Granted, many of us probably know that. But how many of us know we also need digestive enzymes?

So, what are these enzymes and why are they important? Well, one way of answering that question is to point out what happens to us without them. Basically, if our gastrointestinal systems lack them,we’re likely to eventually encounter food intolerance problems like excess gas, bloating, diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome. Yes, they’re pretty important then.

The role of digestive enzymes

Digestive enzymes are one of the all-important ingredients we require to successfully digest food. They help break itdown, separating from it the nutrients and vitamins so crucial to our bodies’ effective function. Overall, there are a large number of these different enzymes we produce in the gut, where they all reside.

For instance, when it comes to those called on for the successful digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, each of these food groups has a corresponding enzyme – carbohydrase for carbohydrates, protease for proteins and lipase for fats. Additionally, there’s what’s often referred to as ‘brush-border’ enzymes; produced in the small intestine, these include lactase, maltase and sucrase.

Supplementing digestive enzymes

One of the major reasons whypeople run into trouble maintaining sufficient levels of digestive enzymes is because some are genetically predisposed to not produce enough of them. Indeed, a good example is those who suffer from lactose intolerance – they don’t have enough lactase, thus the lactose they consume (mostly from dairy products) transforms into bacteria in the gut and causes discomfort, pain and health issues.Obviously, this is unfortunate and, while it may sound like an unfair quirk of nature or, more specifically, human biology (or however you want to look at), fortunately there is something you can do about it. You can boost your enzyme levels through supplementation.

Indeed, one of the best, most effective supplements you can turn to is Active Digestive Enzymes, which you’ll find is available through The Finchley Clinic. When taken regularly, it’s a supplement that’s been found – thanks to research and feedback from those who’ve tried it – to help with everything from lactose intolerance to acid reflux (heartburn), diarrhoea to constipation, excess gas and bloating to, yes, irritable bowel syndrome. And it also appears to be of good use for anyone who wishes to embark on a candida cleanse – in order to improve their food absorption andmake surecandida and other ‘bad’ bacteria have less food they like to feed on in the gut.
Impressive nutrients

So how does Active Digestive Enzymes work? Well, it contains the likes of lactase (to help break down the aforementioned lactose), lipase (to reduce the amount of fatty substances that litter the body due to fatty foods), protease (again to target proteins), maltase (for breaking down malt sugar), amylase (to focus on starch), Lactobacillus (to convert lactose and other sugars into lactic acid; essential for our bodies) and Biffidum and Longum (two nutrients that, among other things, are great at supporting and boosting the immune system).

To sum up then, if you thought all our digestive systems need to function effectively and keep us healthy are the (good) foods we put in them; think again. The digestive enzymes we produce are crucial for making sure we get the most out of that food – and should you be one of those who don’t produce enough of these enzymes, then you’re now aware of the supplementto put that right. A happy digestive system’s one that’s happily working away thanks to hard-working digestive enzymes!