Best Digestive Enzyme

Acid reflux and heartburn are common, with approximately 10 percent of the U.S. population experiencing them on a regular basis, reports Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. Medically known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, acid reflux develops when the esophageal sphincter opens and involuntarily releases stomach contents back into the esophagus. This causes burning sensations and associated acid reflux symptoms. There are certain foods you should avoid to reduce or prevent acid reflux.

Acidic Foods-

Certain acidic food sources can create acid reflux symptoms by causing the esophageal sphincter to relax and allow stomach contents to flow backwards into the esophagus. The esophagus guides the digestion process by transporting food from the mouth to the stomach. Certain foods that lead to acid reflux include citrus juices and fruits, ketchup, tomatoes and tomato sauces. However, acid reflux symptoms attributable to citrus fruit consumption varies from person to person. According to the University of Illinois, lemons, grapefruit and oranges contain high acid contents that frequently leads to acid reflux in some individuals.

Fatty Foods-

Fried or fatty foods tend to decrease digestive functions, keeping food in your stomach longer. As a result, stomach pressure increases and exerts additional pressure on the weakened esophageal sphincter, which allows stomach acids to regurgitate into the esophagus. High-fat, dairy and deep-fried foods can contribute to these symptoms as well.

Caffeine and Alcohol-

All types of coffee, both decaffeinated and regular, reduce pressure in the esophagus, which can aggravate acid reflux. Beer, wine and alcohol can also increase acid reflux. Alcoholic and carbonated beverages makes it easy for stomach acids to back flow into the esophagus by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter. Alcohol can also increase stomach acid production. The University of Illinois McKinley Health Center notes that chocolate contains caffeine and heavy concentrations of theobromine, an agent which allows gastric acids to enter the esophagus by relaxing the lower esophagus.

Built-up gas in the belly, also called bloating, can be very uncomfortable. Some people describe it as tightness around the waist, as if the stomach has expanded. Gas in the stomach is usually caused by swallowing too much air, so you might get some relief from burping or belching. Gas farther down can be the result of excessive production of gas by bacteria in your intestines or a problem with digesting milk or other foods. Over-the-counter medications, exercise and a change in your eating habits may help to relieve your symptoms.

Sometimes simple measures like walking around or massaging your abdomen can be enough to help the built-up gas move through your intestines and out of your body. Adding mild to moderate exercise such as walking, bicycling or strength training can get your digestive system moving and help prevent future episodes. Similarly, some yoga poses can work with your digestive system to keep the gas moving.

Some people find that over-the-counter preparations such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), activated charcoal (CharcoCaps) and simethicone (Phazyme, Gas-X) can relieve gaseous symptoms in the stomach and intestines. If your symptoms seem to be related to gas-producing foods, taking over-the-counter enzymes before eating these foods may help you to digest them more effectively. A-galacto (Beano), for example, helps to break down the carbohydrates in beans and other vegetables, while lactase (Lactaid) helps with the digestion of milk products. These products seem to help some people, while others report minimal symptom relief.

Beans and certain vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, turnips and bok choy tend to cause gas because of their high content of difficult-to-digest carbohydrates. However, these foods are healthy, so don’t avoid them. One solution may be to eat smaller amounts several times a week rather than a larger amount once a week. When cooking dried beans, the method you use may help reduce the amount of gas produced. One such method, described in “Gastrointestinal Health,” involves boiling the beans for 2 minutes, allowing them to sit for 1 hour, then adding them to fresh water to complete the cooking process. Other foods that might cause gas include raisins, corn, fruit, wheat, potatoes, onions and other high-fiber foods.

Little scientific evidence supports claims that herbal remedies relieve gas in the stomach. However, chamomile tea, turmeric, anise, caraway, fennel and coriander are sometimes used to try to reduce gas and other digestive symptoms. Other things to try at home include avoiding carbonated beverages and avoiding the use of a drinking straw, both of which tend to introduce air into the stomach. If you swallow air when you are nervous, reducing anxiety and stress may also be helpful.

See your doctor if your episodes of gas and bloating become more frequent or more intense or if you develop pain that localizes to a particular area of your abdomen. Other signs of possibly serious conditions include diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, heartburn, blood in your bowel movements or unintended weight loss.

Forty percent of Americans experience heartburn once a month and 15 percent to 20 percent experience it at least once per week. When heartburn becomes a part of your everyday life, you may be experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease. Also called GERD, this condition is the result of stomach acid escaping up into the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) keeps food in the stomach, but when the pressure of the LES is altered, it can open up and allow food back into the esophagus. By eating foods that maintain LES pressure, avoiding those that lower it and making simple lifestyle changes, you can keep your GERD under control.

Up the Protein-

A diet that is high in protein will stimulate gastric secretion and increase LES pressure. This will keep gastric juices from making their way back up your esophagus. Be sure that your protein choices are low in fat, as high-fat meats will worsen GERD symptoms. Low-fat protein choices include baked or grilled chicken without the skin, fish, turkey, beans and legumes.

Increase Fiber-

A diet high in fiber is associated with a decreased risk for Barrett’s esophagus, a result of chronic GERD. Total fiber, as well as fiber from fruits and vegetables, is associated with a lower risk and may be protective against the GERD symptoms. Aim to get between 20 and 35 grams of fiber per day from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes.

Chewing Gum-

When acid from the stomach enters the mouth, it can cause dental erosion and bad breath. Chewing sugarless gum after meals may reduce reflux because of the increased saliva production, creating an increase in swallowing frequency. As you swallow, you are improving the removing the reflux from the mouth, preventing the disintegration of your teeth and gums.

Foods to Avoid-

When it comes to managing GERD, what you don’t eat is sometimes more important than what you do eat. Fatty foods, caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, garlic, onion and alcohol all lower the pressure of the LES, resulting in an increase in GERD symptoms. Foods that are high in acid, such as citrus juices, tomato juices and other spices may be irritating to the esophagus and should be avoided if they cause unwanted symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes-

A change in lifestyle can provide drastic relief for GERD patients. Avoid smoking and being around those who smoke. Smoking lowers the pressure of the LES and slows the emptying rate of the stomach. Raising the head of the bed by 6 inches allows gravity to keep food from escaping the stomach. Bloating causes the LES to become weakened; avoid stomach bloating by eating smaller meals, and stop eating no later than two to three hours before bed. Losing excess weight will also help alleviate GERD symptoms. If your GERD worsens, visit your doctor to find the best treatment for you.

Bloating is usually caused by the breakdown of food through the digestion process or by swallowed air. When trapped gas is unable to pass through flatulence or belching, it can accumulate in the intestines and stomach, leading to bloating. Abdominal pain is often coupled with bloating and can be dull, mild or sharp.

Bloating can also be caused by anxiety or stress, smoking, eating fatty or gas-producing foods, and gastrointestinal infection. Occasionally, bloating can indicate lactose-intolerance, irritable bowel or gynecological conditions. There are effective ways to relieve bloating naturally, but the treatment depends on the cause.

See your physician. Persistent bloating warrants a physical examination. Your doctor will take your medical history and perform an examination that might include imaging tests and blood work. Once your doctor determines the underlying cause of your bloating, you will be advised of your treatment options.

Avoid gas-producing foods. Avoiding or cutting down on gas-producing foods such as broccoli, baked beans, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, can reduce intestinal gas and subsequent bloating. In addition, avoiding carbonated drinks, hard candy, gum and lettuce might also reduce your symptoms.

Eat more fiber. Eating 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily will increase bowel motility, remove waste and relieve bloating. Foods rich in fiber include whole grains, high-fiber cereals, whole-wheat breads and fruits and vegetables.

Increase vitamin B6 consumption. Vitamin B6 has diuretic properties which helps prevent bloating, says nutritionist and registered dietitian Tanya Zuckerbrot, M.S., R.D. Food sources rich in vitamin B6 include avocado, roasted chicken breast and yellow fin tuna. Do not consume vitamin B6 in excess of 100mg per day. Check with your doctor to make sure that increasing your intake of this vitamin is appropriate for your condition.

Drink more water. Not drinking adequate amounts of water can contribute to dehydration and bloating. To make water more palatable, squeeze fresh lemon or lime juice into your water and talk to your doctor before dramatically increasing your fluid intake. Certain medical conditions necessitate fluid restrictions, so thoroughly discuss your general state of health with your doctor before upping your fluid intake to make sure it is not contraindicated by your medical status.

Enzymes are proteins that have unique abilities. They’re present in all living cells and are needed for every chemical reaction in the body. Each enzyme performs its own specific task. Our bodies produce different types of digestive enzymes to break down the food we eat. Digestive enzymes are secreted all along your digestive tract, starting in the mouth with salivary amylase, which helps break down starches. From there, other enzymes are produced in the stomach, pancreas and small intestine.

You can also get digestive enzymes from raw foods and supplemental digestive enzyme products. Raw foods naturally contain their own enzymes, but once raw foods are processed or cooked, their enzymes are destroyed. Supplemental digestive enzymes are sold in many health-food stores and pharmacies. They’re “generally recognized as safe” (or GRAS) by the FDA and come from different sources, such as animal, plant, fungal and bacterial.

Animal Enzymes-

Animal enzymes, also called glandular, may come from the pancreas of hogs or oxen. Enzyme products from animals are usually in coated capsules in order to pass through the acidic environment of the stomach unharmed.

Plant Enzymes-

Plant enzymes, such as bromelain from pineapple and papain from papaya, are called proteolytic enzymes because they break down protein. Although these may have certain benefits, there are potential allergies, contraindications and medical interactions with these enzymes.

Fungal and Bacterial Enzymes-

Fungal and bacterial-source enzymes are also known as plant-based, although “vegetarian” is a more appropriate word to describe these digestive enzymes. Unlike animal-source enzymes, vegetarian enzyme supplements don’t need to be coated because they can work in a broad pH range.

Why Digestive Enzymes Are Important-

Nutrition isn’t just about the types of food we eat: Those foods need to be broken down, the nutrients absorbed and utilized and, finally, eliminated. Many have enzyme deficiencies due to age, diet or lifestyle (i.e., they may be lacking or not producing enough of a certain digestive enzyme). When you’re not digesting foods well, you may experience such symptoms as occasional gas, bloating, indigestion, irregularity or other digestive challenges.

How Digestive Enzyme Supplements Can Help-

People whose bodies don’t produce enough digestive enzymes often take digestive enzyme supplements to help with specific food intolerances. According to the NIH, 30 million to 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant because their bodies don’t produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which digests lactose.

Similarly, recent studies have looked at the benefits of certain enzymes for people with gluten intolerance (not to be confused with celiac disease). DPP-IV is an enzyme that breaks down the casein in dairy and the gluten found in wheat, barley and rye.
What to Look for in a Digestive Supplement

There are many enzyme supplements on the market today. But before you buy, make sure you look at the source, blends and activity listed on the label. Do you have specific food intolerance or digestive issues? Find blends that have enzymes for your specific needs:

The three main groups of enzymes are proteases, lipase and carbohydrases. Protease digests protein, lipase digests fats and carbohydrase digests carbs. Additionally, look for accurate labeling of enzyme activity. The potency of an enzyme is a way to measure the effect it has on things such as protein, fats and carbohydrates. Weight (i.e., measurement in milligrams) does not measure the true potency of an enzyme.