Do you know that the digestion process takes the highest priority in the body, over anything else? The rest of the body would not operate appropriately, without the digestion of nutrients needed for the necessary functions of the body.

This is why if you have eaten a large meal, you may feel sluggish afterwards. Or, you may have experienced trying to exercise soon after eating, and that does not work well, either. The digestion process takes energy, and its efficiency is vitally important for maintaining health.

This brings us to the main article for the month about enzymes and why they are so important in providing maximum benefit for health.

The second article, by Dr. Mark Force, is about the herb "Una de Gato" (Cat's Claw) and its benefits for the digestive system and other issues.

For your best health...

Tamara

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You are what you eat, right? Only when what you eat can be broken down into the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that the body can absorb. And while you are enjoying the great taste of food, the digestive system is hard at work . . .

Supplementing Enzymes

Much of the digestion process is carried out by digestive enzymes. When you eat a food in its natural state, raw and unprocessed, that food saves the body a lot of work by bringing some of its own digestive enzymes with it.

Many of us, however, do not eat a lot of raw, unprocessed food, living primarily on a diet of cooked food. Unfortunately, digestive enzymes are extremely sensitive to heat. They are so sensitive to heat, any temperature above 118 degrees destroys them. So, imagine what cooking does to digestive enzymes. Since you are not "what you eat", but "what you digest", consider how this affects your health.

Pasteurization, canning and microwaving destroy digestive enzymes. When the food you eat contributes none of its own enzymes to digestion, your body has to contribute more than its share, diverting energy from other necessary functions, and consequently contributing to all manner of health problems (including accelerating the aging process), according to enzyme pioneer, Edward Howell, M.D.

The Many Benefits of Plant Enzymes

There are many ways to supplement enzymes. Plant enzymes have several features in their favor. Unlike pancreatin, which is derived from the pancreas of animals, plant enzymes are suitable for vegetarians. They are also active across a broader range of food than animal derived enzymes. For example, plant enzymes are the only source of cellulase (digests fiber), according to Daniel Crisafi, N.D., M.H., Ph.D.

Dr. Howell has pointed out that plant enzymes begin working earlier in the digestive process than animal enzymes. They begin working in the stomach, whereas animal enzymes do not begin their work until they reach the intestines. This pre-digestion is a big aid to the digestive system. Finally, plant enzymes, though weaker, get the nod for safety. According to Dr. Crisafi, animal-based enzymes, being more like your own enzymes, can confuse the body and reduce the body's natural production of enzymes.

So Many Kinds of Enzymes

Actually, despite the huge list of enzymes on the bottle, there are only four major types of digestive enzymes: cellulase, lipase, amylase and protease. Each is responsible for its own type of food component.

1. Cellulase, as mentioned, breaks down fiber. It is found only in plant enzymes, being absent both from the pancreatic enzymes found in animal digestive enzymes, and also from the body's own pancreatic enzymes.
2. Lipase digests fats. Without it, you would not only digest fats poorly, but also all the fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E and K and carotenes. (This can contribute to the body ineffectively storing fat, thereby encouraging those extra pounds to stay on.)
3. Amylase breaks down carbohydrates. There are several different kinds of amylase. Lactase breaks down lactose, the sugar found in milk. It has become an important enzyme on its own, as well, for all those people who are lactose intolerant. Maltase digests malt sugar (maltose), and invertase breaks down other sugars.
4. Protease, as you might guess, breaks down proteins. Improper protein digestion leads not only to nutritional problems, but also to a whole host of health problems from food allergies, to leaky gut syndrome, toxicity and psoriasis. To the protease' list of credentials, Michael Murray, N.D., adds the large role they play in keeping the intestines free from candida, bacteria and parasites. The well-known digestive enzyme, bromelain, is primarily a mixture of a number of proteases. It is an excellent protein digester that works in both the stomach and small intestine.

Among the best digestive aids are herbal bitters. However, much of the benefit can be lost if you take them in pill form: It is actually the bitter taste in the mouth that triggers the majority of the benefits.

Just what are the benefits of herbal bitters? Bitters stimulate the appetite, increase digestive juices from the pancreas and liver, help the liver detoxify, increase the flow of bile, and help repair the gut wall according to herbalist David Hoffmann. Good bitters include gentian, wormwood, boldo, goldenseal, barberry, dandelion and hops. Many of these herbs can be found in combinations.

Artichoke is another great bitter. Daniel Mowrey, Ph.D. says it increases both the production of bile in the liver and the flow of bile from the gall bladder. Bile, Dr. Mowrey explains, is crucial in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Artichoke also fights constipation and parasites. Like its famous cousin, milk thistle, recent research shows that artichoke protects the liver from toxins and regenerates liver cells.

Soothing Herbs

Herbs that soothe and protect damaged and inflamed stomach tissue are called demulcents. Good examples are licorice, comfrey root, marshmallow and slippery elm.

Herbs that ease the movement of the bowels, and relieve gas or colic, are called carminatives. Unlike the bitters, these digestive herbs taste good. Fennel, dill, ginger, aniseed, peppermint and chamomile are excellent carminatives. While relaxing the stomach, chamomile also calms the anxiety and stress that can lead to indigestion.

Superstar Digestive Herbs

Ginger, Dr. Mowrey says, activates the digestive process and is good for nausea, gas and heartburn, regardless of the cause.

Gentian is an incredible, but little discussed, digestive herb. Gentian is one of the strongest bitters known and is good for indigestion, lack of appetite, sluggish digestive system and gas, according to David Hoffman. What is amazing about this digestive herb is that it seems to work on virtually every aspect of digestion. Hoffmann credits gentian with a general stimulation of the digestive juices. More specifically, Dr. Mowrey says, gentian increases bile, promotes saliva, and stimulates pancreatic enzymes, as well as gastric and intestinal juices.

So, in the effort to become what you eat, plants (both in the form of digestive enzymes and digestive herbs) have a great deal to offer, by improving digestion and consequently your health.

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References:

Woolven, L., Snider, T., (May/June 2000), You Are What You Eat, Right? Wrong., "Canadian Natural Health Retailer".

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I have had wonderful experience with an herb called Una de Gato, or Claw of the Cat, over the last few years. It is one that I use a great deal and get very good results.

This woody vine grows in the Amazon Basin rain forest of Peru. Una de Gato gets its name because of its large, curved thorns (two at the base of each leaf). It is a traditional remedy of the indigenous people and is highly revered as one of their most useful and deeply acting herbs.

Indications for Use

1. Infections of the intestinal tract and imbalances of intestinal flora
2. Intestinal antiseptic and helps heal the lining of the gut (Leaky Gut Syndrome)
3. General detoxification
4. Stimulates and balances the immune system; can be helpful in chronic viral or bacterial infections
5. Neurasthenia (agitated depression, confusion, hopelessness, exhaustion)
6. Inflammatory conditions of the intestinal tract
7. Skin problems (eczema, psoriasis, etc.)
8. Allergies and arthritis
9. Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Syndromes

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