Digestive Enzyme and Prebiotic Supplementation
The missing link for digestive problems, bloating, skin conditions, and health optimization
Digestive Enzyme Insufficiency
Clinical studies have shown that many people make insufficient quantities of digestive enzymes, which can result in post-meal bloating, indigestion, other digestive symptoms, and a worsening of
inflammatory conditions, including various skin conditions and arthritis. This occurs because proteins, carbohydrates, and other food matter that are only partially digested (instead of being completely broken down by digestive enzymes) draw copious quantities of water into the intestinal tract and undergo fermentation by large bowel bacteria. This produces abdominal discomfort and distension, abdominal and pelvic bloating, and other symptoms of poor digestion, following a meal. These problems appear to be more prevalent in women, who seem to benefit most from supplementation with a full-spectrum, high potency digestive enzyme formula. Digestive enzyme insufficiency can also exacerbate irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, lactose intolerance, and food allergy and food sensitivities.
In addition, some partially digested proteins may enter the bloodstream and trigger immune inflammatory reactions, which may aggravate skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and arthritic joint symptoms. As such, individuals suffering from these conditions should consider the use of a high potency, full spectrum, digestive enzyme supplement (from non-animal sources), that should include:
- Alpha and Beta Amylase
- Protease I
- Protease II
- Lipase
- Cellulase
- Lactase
- Maltase
- Sucrase
Prebiotics And The Intestinal Flora
Acting in concert with digestive enzymes, prebiotics have also been shown to improve many digestive tract problems, create a healthier environment within the large bowel, and help block the overreaction of immune cells that perpetuate arthritic and skin inflammatory conditions. Prebiotics primarily include fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin, which serve as food for the friendly bacteria (e.g., lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus bacteria) within the flora of the large intestine. Supplementation with prebiotics has been shown to increase the levels of friendly gut bacteria and assist in the management of digestive complaints and other health problems mentioned above.
What Should You Do?
If you are prone to digestive disorders, inflammatory joint problems, and/or the skin conditions, mentioned in this research review, you should strongly consider the use of a high potency, full spectrum digestive enzyme (non-animal source) in combination with prebiotic supplementation (yielding at least 1,000 mg per day of FOS and inulin) as an important complementary intervention.
Working together, digestive enzyme and prebiotic supplementation help support the health and function of the intestinal tract and immune system, and correct some of the underlying abnormalities that contribute to a host of health maladies. This is why I recommend Adeeva Flora-Essentials (Adeeva Nutritionals), as it contains optimal dosages of both digestive enzymes and prebiotics.
If you suffer from any of these problems I suggest that you pick up a bottle of Adeeva Flora-Essentials at Best-Of-Health in Innisfail and start managing your problem more effectively and naturally.
Scientific References available upon request.
Dr Meschino is the Director of Nutritional Therapy at the United Medicine Group in Toronto. He is an associate professor at the CMCC, an author of four wellness/anti-aging books, and a faculty member of the Integrative Cancer Therapy Fellowship Program offered by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.