Research reveals digestive health secrets #5

Enzymes

Enzymes break down food macromolecules – protein, carbohydrates, fats – into their smaller building blocks. Protease enzymes break down proteins, amylase enzymes work on carbohydrates and lipase enzymes digest fats. In the body, enzymes are manufactured by the pancreas.

"These enzymes increase the level of digestion in the stomach, increasing the amount of food broken down," instructs EnzymeUniversity.com, an educational website produced by enzyme supplier NEC. "Therefore, less undigested food is passed into the colon, and food nutrients are more available for absorption."

Enzymes can help with conditions associated with poor digestion, including lactose intolerance and celiac disease – the diagnosis for those medically seeking a gluten-free diet. In one study, cereal enzymes were able to diminish the toxic reactions of celiac disease in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro.21,22

In a double-blind, crossover study, researchers gave 18 subjects pancreatic enzymes after a typical high-calorie, high-fat meal. Subjects were studied for the next 17 hours. Those who took the oral enzymes had significantly reduced bloating, gas and fullness during the entire period, as well as during the dinner-to-bedtime period. Researchers speculated that the pancreatic supplements could also be beneficial in IBS.23

One human study with 1,242 patients with colorectal cancer found those taking enzyme supplements for nine months had an improvement in the signs and symptoms of the disease.24
References

1. Petrof EO. Probiotics and Gastrointestinal Disease: Clinical Evidence and Basic Science. Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem. 2009 Sep 1;8(3):260-9.
2. Grimoud J, et al. In vitro screening of probiotics and synbiotics according to anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects. Int J Food Microbiol. 2010 Sep 17.
3. Lenoir-Wijnkoop I, et al. Probiotic and prebiotic influence beyond the intestinal tract. Nutr Rev 2007 Nov;65(11):469-89.
4. Wenus C, et al. Prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by a fermented probiotic milk drink. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008 Feb;62(2):299-301.
5. Hojsak I, et al. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of nosocomial gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections. Pediatrics. 2010 May;125(5):e1171-7.
6. Leyer GJ, et al. Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children. Pediatrics. 2009 Aug;124(2):e172-9.
7. Montes, R. G, et al. Effect of milks inoculated with Lactobacillus acidophilus or a yogurt starter culture in lactose-maldigesting children. J Dairy Sci 1995;78:1657-64.
8. Hun L. Bacillus coagulans significantly improved abdominal pain and bloating in patients with IBS. Postgrad Med 2009;121(2):119-24.
9. Kalman DS, et al. A proepective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group dual site trial to evaluate the effects of a Bacillus coagulans-based product on functional intestinal gas symptoms. BMC Gastroenterology 2009;9:85.
10. Dolin BJ. Effects of a proprietary Bacillus coagulans preparation on symptoms of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 2009 Dec;31(10):655-9.
11. Doron SJ, et al. Probitoics for prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. J Clin Gastroenterol 2008;42 (Suppl 2):S58-S63.
12. Alm, L., Ryd-Kjellen, E., Setterberg, G., Blomquist, L. Effect of a new fermented milk product "CULTURA" on constipation in geriatric patients. 1993. 1st Lactic Acid Bacteria Computer Conference Proceedings. Horizon Scientific Press, Norfolk, England.
13. Black, F.T. Placebo-contolled double-blind trial of 4 lactobacilli strains (HIP) used as prophylactic agent against traveller's diarrhea (2 trials). 1996. Report by G. Nirnberger, Bioconsult, GmbH, Austria.
14. http://www.uaslabs.com/sections/newsletters/DDS%20Probiotics%20show%20promise%20for%20IBS.pdf
15. Canani RB, et al. Probiotics for treatment of acute diarrhoea in children: randomised clinical trial of five different preparations. BMJ. 2007 Aug 18;335(7615):340.
16. Bosscher D, et al. Inulin and oligofructose as prebiotics in the prevention of intestinal infections and diseases. Nutr Res Rev 2006 Dec;19(2):216-26.
17, Hughes R, Rowland IR. Stimulation of apoptosis by two prebiotic chicory fructans in the rat colon. Carcinogenesis. 2001 Jan;22(1):43-7.
18. Jan Van Loo, et al. The SYNCAN project: goals, set-up, first results and settings of the human intervention study. Br J Nutr 2005; 93, Suppl. 1, S91–S98.
19. Bolognani F, et al. Effect of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and inulin on the formation of aberrant crypt foci in rats. Eur J Nutr. 2001 Dec;40(6):293-300.
20. Giacosa A, Rondanelli M. The right fiber for the right disease: an update on the psyllium seed husk and the metabolic syndrome. J Clin Gastroenterol . 2010 Sep;44 Suppl 1:S58-60.
21. Roxas M. The role of enzyme supplementation in digestive disorders. Altern Med Rev 2008 Dec;13(4):307-14.
22. Stenman SM, et al. Degradation of coeliac disease-inducing rye secalin by germinating cereal enzymes: diminishing toxic effects in intestinal epithelial cells. Clin Exp Immunol. 2010 Aug;161(2):242-9. Epub 2010 Jun 15.
23. Suarez F, et al. Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal. Dig Dis Sci. 1999 Jul;44(7):1317-21.
24. Popiela T, et al. Influence of a complementary treatment with oral enzymes on patients with colorectal cancers--an epidemiological retrolective cohort study. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2001 Jul;47 Suppl:S55-63.

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