A short-term trial of 1-2 digestive enzyme capsules per meal, especially plant-based enzymes, will help determine if digestion is compromised in some way. If taking enzymes with meals results in improvement, continue use at the dose found most beneficial for an extended period. Plant enzyme use may help restore your body’s natural ability to produce stomach acid and the enzymes needed for digestion.
The primary digestive enzymes – proteases, amylases and lipases – function as biological catalysts, helping to break down protein, carbohydrates and fats. Raw foods also provide enzymes that naturally break down food for proper absorption. Supplemental enzymes typically come from two sources, either extracted from the pancreas of animals or prepared from plant products. Each has particular benefits, depending on what they are used for.
Plant-based enzymes are usually derived from the fungus Aspergillus oryzae. Several human studies suggest that the proteolytic enzymes derived from this fungus may play a role in anti-inflammatory and fibrinolytic therapy, as well as providing digestive support. These enzymes are more effective at digesting food than pancreatic based enzymes because their activity is not dependent on an optimal acid-alkaline environment. Optimal pH is the range of acidity or alkalinity in which the digestive activity is the greatest. Plant-derived enzymes operate effectively at a very wide pH range, digesting actively in the acidic environment of the stomach and the alkaline environment of the small intestine.
Pancreatic enzymes improve digestion and assimilation of proteins and other nutrients as well as reducing circulating immune complexes that cause antibody and autoantibody formation. They are more easily degraded than plant enzymes, and less effective for supporting digestive activity. Pancreatic enzymes are only effective in the slightly alkaline environment of the small intestine. Pancreatic enzymes used in cancer treatment can be acquired from College Health Stores, LLC 410 Lution Drive Weatherford, Texas 76087, 888-477-3618.
Digestive enzymes are also found naturally in fresh ginger root, raw pineapple, green papaya, and kiwi fruit, but are weak compared to pancreatic or plant enzyme products. For example, the optimum temperature of activity for papain from papaya is between 140 and 158 degrees F, way above the body’s temperature to be very effective in aiding digestion.
Digestive Enzymes / (Trial) can help with the following
Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden)
Food allergies are usually triggered by partially undigested protein. Proteolytic enzymes may reduce allergy symptoms by further breaking down undigested protein to sizes too small to cause allergic reactions. Limited scientific evidence supports this theory.[Ann Allergy 1993;71: p.269]
In the book, Digestive Enzymes, the point is made that while enzyme supplements can be an important part of breaking the vicious cycle of maldigestion, they should not have to be taken indefinitely. Also recommended are vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, and pantothenic acid, which should help to improve digestive strength. [Digestive Enzymes by Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., p. 20]
Ulcerative Colitis
Stool analysis or a pancreatic trial will reveal if pancreatic enzymes are necessary.
Vasculitis
Decreasing circulating immune complexes may be accelerated by breaking them down with the use of trypsin, chymotrypsin and pancreatin. These enzymes must be given at least one hour before meals. One of the basic concepts in systemic enzyme therapy is that all kinds of inflammatory processes respond to enzymes. Hydrolytic enzymes directly attack the microclots breaking open the clogged vessels and reestablishing circulation. By restoring normal blood flow, post inflammatory pain and edema are reduced more rapidly.
Steatorrhea / Fat Malabsorption
A digestive enzyme preparation (high in lipase) can help breakdown fats and prepare them for absorption. These can be taken while ruling out underlying causes of fat in the stool.
Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency
A trial using plant-based enzymes to enhance digestion demonstrated their additional benefit of improving hydrochloric acid production in those individuals who were hypochlorhydric.
Heartburn / GERD
The use of digestive enzymes, especially plant-based enzymes, can increase HCL production and reduce heartburn by tightening the lower esophageal sphincter, thus helping prevent the reflux of acid into the esophagus.
Immune System Imbalance (TH2 Dominance)
Digestive enzymes improve digestion and assimilation of proteins and other nutrients, reduce circulating immune complexes that cause antibody and autoantibody formation. Protein digestive enzymes are found naturally in fresh ginger root, raw pineapple and kiwi fruit. Quality proteins support mucus membrane integrity.
Chronic / Hidden Infection
Infectious organisms can hide behind soluble fibrin monomers. This fibrin ‘coat’ can be broken down with the help of digestive enzymes. Wobenzym is a particular product that has been used for many years to help expose microbes by breaking down this coat. Large doses of enzymes are required. Wobenzym should be taken at no less than 5 tablets twice a day when contolling a chronic infection, and the dose increased when becoming symptomatic.
Parasite, Blastocystosis
Fat-digesting enzymes may be helpful in treating Blastocystis. When studied under the microscope, Blastocystis seems to have a fatty reservoir. Fat-splitting or fat-digesting enzymes are helpful to dissolve some of the Blastocystis and weaken it, thereby allowing other remedies to be more effective.
Cystic Fibrosis
Plant based enzymes may be more helpful than animal based enzymes. There are some preparations that have an intentionally higher lipase content which may be preferable.
Consequences of Gallbladder Surgery
High-quality fats, like the essential fatty acids, are necessary for good health. Without a gallbladder there will be a reduced ability to absorb them. You may need to use a high lipase digestive enzyme with any fat containing meal to aid their absorption.
Low Back Pain / Problems
Some find help from using digestive or pancreatic enzymes or bromelain/curcumin as anti-inflammatory agents that reduce swelling and help clear away debris from the injured area. Papain also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory action. Delayed release (coated) enzymes are preferred, but uncoated preparations are used by doctors for this purpose when coated preparations are not available.
Bronchitis, Acute
Digestive pancreatic enzymes have been used to hasten the recovery process in both acute and chronic bronchitis. [ Enzymtherapie – grundlagen und anwendungsmoglichkeiten. Naturund Ganzheitsmedizin 3, 1991.]
Cancer / Risk - General Measures
Dr. William Kelley recommended high amounts of pancreatic enzymes – 45,000 mg orally. His formula includes a starch-dissolving enzyme which Kelley believes is important in some cases. Many other alternative doctors also use pancreatic enzymes in treating / controlling cancer.
As a large cancer mass is being disolved from enzyme use, it becomes harder for the body to remove this ‘waste’ material and toxemia can result. Toxemia is the primary reason to have the malignant tumor mass surgically removed when possible.
Increased Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
Based on preliminary evidence that pancreatic enzymes kill pancreatic cancer cells, it would be prudent to ensure pancreatic sufficiency or use pancreatic enzymes supplementally when the risk of developing pancreatic cancer is increased.
Dr. Gonzales, M.D. reviewed and published the follow-up results of 11 patients who followed his treatment regime. They lived on average three times longer than expected. Gonzales said all the patients were in an advanced stage of the illness, and their conditions were inoperable. He further stated that “the survival rate at this stage is usually about 4-5 months, but the survival rate for the test patients was 17 1/2 months… I think the pancreatic enzymes do have a powerful anti-cancer effect. We do use diet (fruits and vegetables), we do use coffee enemas, we do use vitamins and minerals. I don’t think any of those things kill cancer cells. I do think pancreatic enzymes do.” [Nutrition and Cancer 33(2): pp.117-124]
Increased Risk of Multiple Myeloma
166 subjects with multiple myeloma achieved an extended lifespan by taking a small amount of Wobe-Mugos tablets (pancreatic enzymes) tid for 2 years. [Cancer Chemother Pharmacol, 2001;47(Supp1.):S38 S44 ] It is likely that someone at higher risk would be benefited by enzyme use also.
Increased Risk of Colon Cancer
See the link between Colon Cancer and Digestive Enzymes
Rosacea
Rosacea patients often have a reduced secretion of pancreatic lipase, an enzyme which aids in fat digestion. Pancreatic or plant enzyme supplementation, especially when prepared with extra lipase, will improve this digestive weakness.
Pancreatic Cancer
Although the body of evidence is small, an alternative treatment for pancreatic cancer has brought hope to a handful of patients and caught the attention of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which is funding a five-year clinical trial.
Dr. Gonzales, M.D. reviewed and published the follow-up results of 11 patients who followed his treatment regime. They lived on average three times longer than expected. Gonzales said all the patients were in an advanced stage of the illness, and their conditions were inoperable. He further stated that “the survival rate at this stage is usually about 4-5 months, but the survival rate for the test patients was 17 1/2 months… I think the pancreatic enzymes do have a powerful anti-cancer effect. We do use diet (fruits and vegetables), we do use coffee enemas, we do use vitamins and minerals. I don’t think any of those things kill cancer cells. I do think pancreatic enzymes do.” [Nutrition and Cancer 33(2): pp.117-124]
Multiple Myeloma
166 subjects with multiple myeloma who took 2 Wobe-Mugos tablets (pancreatic enzymes) tid for the first year and then 1 tablet tid for the second year of the study, along with conventional treatement, experienced an extended lifespan (for stage III myeloma) from 47 months to 83 months over those who did not use the enzymes. The addition of oral enzyme therapy for more than 6 months reduced the hazard of death for patients at all stages of disease by approximately 60%. [Cancer Chemother Pharmacol, 2001;47(Supp1.):S38 S44 ]
Colon Cancer
A large study of patients with colorectal cancer who had previously undergone traditional therapies found that the addition of oral enzyme therapy (Wobe Mugos) improved their quality of life by reducing signs and symptoms of disease as well as reducing the adverse reactions to chemotherapy. [Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 200l;47(Suppl.): pp.S55-63]
Key
| May do some good |
| Likely to help |
| Highly recommended |
Glossary
Enzymes
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Protein
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.
Carbohydrates
The sugars and starches in food. Sugars are called simple carbohydrates and found in such foods as fruit and table sugar. Complex carbohydrates are composed of large numbers of sugar molecules joined together, and are found in grains, legumes, and vegetables like potatoes, squash, and corn.
Proteolytic
Commonly: Proteolytic (protein-digesting) Enzymes. Enzymes that are able to break down certain proteins, yet do not attack the beneficial proteins that make up the normal cells of the body. These proteolytic enzymes are said to have great value in fighting cancer as well as many other diseases. If the body were always capable of producing adequate proteolytic enzymes, it is possible that cancer would not develop. In theory, cancer cells have a type of protein coating that is destroyed by these proteolytic enzymes. When this protein is destroyed, the body's white cells are able to attack the cancer cells and destroy them.
Anti-inflammatory
Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin.
Fibrinolytic
Fibrinolytic activity: Clot removal.
pH
A measure of an environment's acidity or alkalinity. The more acidic the solution, the lower the pH. For example, a pH of 1 is very acidic; a pH of 7 is neutral; a pH of 14 is very alkaline.
Score
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Antibody
A type of serum protein (globulin) synthesized by white blood cells of the lymphoid type in response to an antigenic (foreign substance) stimulus. Antibodies are complex substances formed to neutralize or destroy these antigens in the blood. Antibody activity normally fights infection but can be damaging in allergies and a group of diseases that are called autoimmune diseases.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.