| Extreme Health's Digestive Support Formula
A unique combination of nutrients and herbs in a base of plant enzymes designed for optimal assimilation. This formula supports the body's natural digestive processes against heartburn, nausea, burping, bloating, upset stomach, acid indigestion, diarrhea, gastritis, hiatal hernia, and ulcerative conditions.
It neutralizes excess stomach acid, helps with digestion and restores appetite. It is suitable for even the most sensitive digestive systems and helps support the body's natural pH (acid/base) balance. Dairy-free and contains no soy, yeast, wheat or lactose.
Enzymes are specialized protein molecules that catalyze, or speed up, biochemical reactions. They are involved in all aspects of metabolism, growth, and development. Digestive enzymes are responsible for the digestion or breaking down of food. Supplementing with digestive enzymes can be helpful in people with digestive problems.
In essence, enzymes are what give us life. Enzymes are molecules involved in speeding up chemical reactions necessary for bodily function. Enzymes work to join molecules together or split them apart. They do this by making or breaking the chemical bonds that join molecules together.
Most enzymes are composed of a protein, along with an essential mineral, and possibly a vitamin. If an enzyme is lacking the essential mineral or vitamin, it cannot function properly.
If the body is provided the necessary mineral or vitamin through diet or nutritional formula, the enzyme is then able to function properly. For example, zinc is necessary for the enzyme that activates vitamin A, otherwise cannot be converted to the active form. This deficiency can result in night-blindness.
Many enzymes require additional support in order to perform their function. This support is called a coenzyme - a molecule that functions along with enzyme. Like enzymes, most coenzymes are composed of mineral component, the enzyme is again powerless.
What Causes Most Nutritional Disorders?
In my opinion, many health care practitioners, traditional and non-traditional, have overlooked the main underlying cause of many or most nutritional disorders- faulty digestion. Rather than continuously treating the symptoms of poor digestion (gas, heartburn, nausea, burping, bloating, upset stomach, acid indigestion, diarrhea), the logical remedy for actually correcting this problem is to improve the person’s ability to digest and assimilate the nutrients from their food.
What Is Digestion And Assimilation?
The digestion and assimilation of food is accomplished by taking large pieces of foods and breaking them down into very small molecules. These food molecules can then be absorbed into the blood and used by the body as nutrients. Many people could benefit greatly by simply chewing their food more thoroughly. This is the most energy-efficient mechanical action the body can take to break down food. After chewing, the body must expend a lot of energy producing acid and alkaline digestive juices, digestive enzymes, and muscle contractions to break down the food. 50% of digestion should take place in the mouth- by chewing food thoroughly. How many times have you seen people “inhale” their food almost before the plate hits the table?
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The correct type and amount of digestive enzymes
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Adequate acidophilus and other ‘friendly’ intestinal bacteria
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The correct pH (acid/base balance) in each area of the digestive tract (acidic in the stomach, alkaline in the small intestine, neutral in the large intestine)
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Having an adequate amount of fiber in the diet.
1. Nutritional Deficiencies.
Most significantly, a person who is not digesting their food well cannot obtain the optimum amount of nutrients from their food that help rebuild, repair, and regenerate the body.
2. Fermentation/Decomposition
Poor digestion also causes slower transit time of the food through the digestive tract. This prolonged transit time often causes the food to ferment causing gas formation. After this, the fermenting foods begin to decompose or rot (causing toxic chemical formation).
3. Self-Toxification/Colon Problems
Another factor is a deficiency of fiber in the diet. A lack of fiber in the stools causes the feces to become sticky. This combination of sticky, fermenting, and putrefied food produces toxins and ‘free-radicals’, which are absorbed into the bloodstream and can create a lining of toxic residues and mucus which coats the lower intestinal tract. This toxic, mucus plaque can contribute to numerous health conditions, such as diverticulitis, colitis, and other colon problems. The symptoms associated with this ‘self-toxification’ can include allergies, body aches, confusion, forgetfulness, headaches, and decreased energy.
4. Leaky-Gut Syndrome/Food Allergies
A serious condition associated with poor digestion is “leaky-gut” syndrome. Leaky Gut Syndrome occurs when foods are not digested completely. Large, poorly digested protein molecules force their way through the gut wall into the bloodstream. In the blood, instead of being delivered where needed as nutrients, these large proteins are recognized incorrectly by the immune system as an invader from outside the body. The immune system then mounts an antigen-antibody reaction, creating immune cells to attack the antigen. This is also known as having a food allergy attack. I believe that a large majority of ‘food allergies’ are simply due to poor digestion and this antigen-antibody reaction to proteins in the bloodstream.
5. Liver/Kidney Stress & Skin Conditions
By constantly allowing these toxins to enter the bloodstream, it also places stress on the liver (major organ of detoxification) and kidneys (cleaners of the blood). If these organs become overworked, the skin will become an organ of elimination and you will begin to see skin conditions appearing. Many skin conditions are caused or contributed to by poor digestion and the resulting toxic environment of the intestinal tract.
6. Parasites/Yeast Infections
Other conditions related to poor digestion and leaky-gut syndrome are parasite infections, which are more common that one would expect, and Candida albicans (yeast) infection of the intestinal tract.
All of these conditions increase the toxic load on the body and have a negative effect on the immune system. Patients are usually amazed by how many problems can be traced back to the underlying problems of poor digestion and a toxic colon. It is even more amazing to see what happens when a person who was once toxic from the previously described conditions chooses to use natural methods to detoxify, rebuild, and regenerate their body. Many have described the process as getting “a second chance” or “having a new lease on life”.
What Are Biochemical Enzymes And Digestive Enzymes?
Enzymes are present in all living plant and animal cells. There are hundreds of kinds of biochemical enzymes in the body, constantly keeping our body functioning properly. Enzymes are like the battery in a car. Without the spark from the battery, even a brand new car won’t work. All life would cease to exist without enzymes, for they a vital source of life energy. Enzymes are the primary motivators (catalyst) for all natural biochemical (life) processes. Even though proteins, carbohydrates, fat and fiber are the building blocks of our bodies, they do not possess the energy (capacity to do work) that enzymes possess, necessary for digesting foods, liberating nutrients and assisting biochemical reactions.
Digestive enzymes, made by the pancreas, assist in digesting food we eat, making it small enough to pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. Despite obvious evidence of their importance, little thought is given (in modern medicine) to the role digestive enzymes play in completing the digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Plant-based enzymes (like those found in Extreme Health's Digestive Formula) work in the entire digestive tract, in a wide range of acid and alkaline environments. They allow your body to replenish and rebuild the pancreatic enzyme reserve, which takes a tremendous stress load off of the body. Taken with food they greatly assist the body in the digestion and assimilation of food nutrients. Taken away from food, digestive enzymes enter the bloodstream and act almost like a ‘second immune system’, digesting excess proteins in the blood, scavenging debris, decreasing inflammation, removing mucous, and cellular waste.
How Do Digestive Enzymes Work?
When a person eats proteins, carbohydrates, and fat, the pancreas responds by secreting the proper amounts and concentrations of protease, amylase, and lipase enzymes to digest the foods and transport their nutrients into the bloodstream. Organic raw foods contain the proper types and concentrations of enzymes in their cells to digest themselves (enzymes are responsible for aged fruit to rot or self-digest. Cooking or heating food kills the enzymes found in live foods. Nature intended for the enzymes within rot foods to assist the body in digestion). Eating organic produce adds little or no stress to the pancreas. Our bodies do not make the enzyme cellulose, which breaks down plant fiber, however, a plant-source cellulose enzyme supplement is appropriate therapy for certain conditions, such as green leafy vegetables intact in stools.
Do Organic Foods Contain More Enzymes?
Unfortunately, many commercially grown ‘live’ foods have been genetically altered to make them contain fewer enzymes. This allows these fruits and vegetables a longer shelf life. Haven’t you wondered how fruit and vegetables at commercial grocery stores stay on the shelves so long without spoiling? This is the reason health food stores usually have smaller produce stocks- they must sell and replace existing stock before the inherent enzymes begin the self-digestive process.
How Does The Body Become Depleted Of Enzymes?
The body’s ability to make pancreatic enzymes can be exhausted by eating a diet devoid of naturally occurring enzymes. This includes eating all types of cooked foods (enzymes are killed at 118 degrees), highly processed foods, and commercially grown produce. Each of us is born with a pancreatic enzyme “reserve”, a reserve that may be built up or depleted, but should not become depleted or overdrawn. Every time a person consumes cooked or processed food (devoid of enzymes) and the pancreas can not keep up with the enzyme demand placed on it, the digestive system recruits the enzyme supply from white blood cells (immune cells) to assist in completing digestion. These are the same enzymes the white blood cells used to ‘kill’ invading viruses and bacteria. Mobilizing the body’s immune system every time enzyme deficient food s eaten is known as “digestive leukocytosis”. This constant abuse can fatigue immune defense capabilities and lay the groundwork for degenerative conditions in the body.
How Do I Know If I Am Enzyme Deficient?
General fatigue and chronic, degenerative conditions (every day aches and pains) are the only outward evidence of enzyme deficiencies. Because the body donates enzymes from other areas of the body to meet existing needs (such as the immune system), deficiencies do not become apparent until these reserves can no longer meet the demand. It is extremely important then, to ensure that the body receives an dequate supply of enzymes, either through the consumption of raw food or concentrated plant enzyme supplementation.
What Is Acidophilus, Why Is It Important?
Lactobacillus acidophilus, and other ‘friendly’ intestinal bacteria, are called ‘probiotics’, which literally means “in support of life”. Lactobacillus acidophilus is very important for improving digestion and for the forming of certain vitamins, including vitamin B3, B6, biotin, and folic acid. Probiotics also produce natural antibiotic (antibacterial) substances which can kill or deactivate disease-causing bacteria and will ‘defend their territory’ against other microorganisms such as yeast or fungus. When the ‘good’ intestinal bacteria are depleted there are multiple negative effects in the body.
Does Antibiotic Drug Therapy Kill Acidophilus?
Antibiotic drug therapy is one of the main causes of the depletion of acidophilus in the body. Antibiotic drugs do not discriminate between the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria when they are consumed. Prolonged antibiotic drug use can kill all of the ‘friendly’ probiotics, leaving the body defenseless. It is very important, if you choose to undergo antibiotic therapy, to re-introduce acidophilus and other probiotic bacteria while you are taking the antibiotics and especially after you finish the course of treatment. The antibiotics will kill most of the acidophilus you take while you are still taking the antibiotics. The goal is to not completely wipe out the colonies of ‘good’ bacteria while on the antibiotics, and to fully re-colonize the acidophilus after the completion of the therapy.
What Causes Gastritis And Ulcers?
In dealing with gastritis (stomach inflammation) and ulcerative conditions in the gastrointestinal tract, I have found that poor digestion and mental/emotional stress factors are often contributing factors. When food is not broken down (digested) well it ferments, putrefies (becomes rotten) and creates an acidic environment. This acidity irritates the lining of the digestive tract. Many over-the-counter and pharmaceutical drugs irritate the lining of the digestive tract and can contribute to ulcers forming. In dealing with ulcerative conditions you must rule out a Helicobacter bacterial infection, an abnormal microorganism or parasitic infection.
Why Can’t Antacids Prevent Or Cure Acid Indigestion?
I have seen many patients with conditions of excessive acid stomach or acid indigestion, and often the person is taking large amounts of antacids. A basic review of how the stomach works and an understanding how antacids help create the problem are all most people need, along with some digestive enzymes, to stop the problem. The problem is the body producing too much acid in the stomach. The stomach makes acid to break down proteins. If there is poor digestion, or if a person eats large meals or excessive proteins, the body can often make too much acid. To counteract the acid, people take antacids. This makes the stomach very alkaline. In order to create an acid environment again in the stomach the body has to make more- you guessed it- acid, which was the problem in the first place. This cycle of poor chewing (50% of digestion should take place in the mouth), poor digestion, and the acid/alkaline roller coaster can be reduced or avoided by chewing food well, and taking digestive enzymes with your meal. Many people think antacids are a good source of calcium. Unfortunately, this is not true. In order for calcium to be fully absorbed into the body, it must be assimilated in an acidic environment. Antacids, like their name says, provide a very alkaline environment, which would prevent the proper uptake of calcium.
When a state of balance is maintained by optimum digestion, the body is better able to prevent chronic health problems such as hypo or hyperglycemia; fatigue; headaches; candida; constipation; diarrhea; arthritis; allergies; infections or other conditions caused by a compromised immune system.
Remember: You are not what you eat. You are what you eat, digest and assimilate.
This formula contains the full complement of hydrolytic food enzymes, providing Amylase, Lipase, Cellulase, Lactase, Invertase, and Glucoamylase complemented with various botanicals to support gastrointestinal integrity and optimal digestive functioning.
All raw food naturally contains the proper types and proportion of enzymes necessary to digest itself -- whether in human consumption or in the eventual decomposition in the natural world. When raw food is eaten, chewing ruptures the cell membranes and releases the indigenous food enzymes to begin the selective breakdown of food components. Amylase reduces large carbohydrates such as starches and other polysaccharides to disaccharides including sucrose, lactose, and maltose. Lipases digest fats (triglycerides) into free fatty acids and glycerol. Cellulases (not found in the human system) break bonds found in plant fiber (cellulose). By disrupting the structure of the fiber matrices which develop most of the nutrients in plants, cellulase increases the nutritional value derived from fruits and vegetables.
Overwhelming evidence shows that food enzymes play an important role in digestion by predigesting food in the upper stomach before hydrochloric acid has even been secreted. Supplementation of food enzymes is necessary in today's society due to the prevalence of cooked and/or processed foods. Food enzymes are essentially destroyed at 118 degrees Fahrenheit, thus most modern methods of food preparation leave food devoid of digestive enzyme activity. Placing the full digestive burden on the body, the body's digestive process becomes over-stressed and vital nutrients are not released from food for assimilation by the body. Unlike supplemental enzymes of animal origin, plant enzymes work at the pH found in the upper stomach. Food sits in the upper portion of the stomach for as long as an hour before gastric secretions begin action.Although salivary enzymes accomplish a significant amount of digestion, their activity is limited to a pH level above 5.0. Exogenous plant enzymes are active in the pH range of 1.0 to 11.0 and can facilitate the utilization of a much larger amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fat before HCL is secreted in sufficient amounts to neutralize their activity. Obviously, plant enzymes can play a significant role in improving food nutrient utilization.
In addition to amylase, lipase, and cellulase, this formula provides a concentrated source of the disaccharidases Lactase and Invertase. Disaccharide intolerance occurs when insufficient levels of disaccharidase enzymes are secreted in the small intestine causing malabsorption and physical discomfort. Lactase deficiency is the most common and well-known form of carbohydrate intolerance. Lactase digests lactose (milk sugar) into glucose and galactose. Most mammals, including humans, have high intestinal lactase activity at birth. But, in some cases, this activity declines to low levels during childhood and remains low in adulthood. The low lactase levels cause maldigestion of milk and other foods containing lactose. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the world's population is deficient in intestinal lactase with more than one-third of the U.S. population presumed to be unable to digest dairy products. Supplemental lactase has been found to decrease the symptoms of lactose intolerance associated with the consumption of dairy foods. Invertase is another polydisaccharidase that works to break down sucrose (refined table sugar) into glucose and fructose. The prevalence of processed and highly refined foods in the American diet means that we consume a great amount of this sugar which can contribute to undue digestive stress. it is theorized that unrecognized sucrose intolerance is a contributing factor in many allergies. Supplemental invertase can increase the assimilation and utilization of this sugar. The additional supplementation of the carbohydrase Glucoamylase assures the breakdown of maltose into two glucose molecules, allowing greater absorption of this energy-giving sugar. Inclusion of these sugar-breaking enzymes gives this formula a broad base for improving nutrition.
Anti-ulcer medications:
In 1998, anti-ulcer medications was the largest selling category of drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, accounting for over $6 billion in sales in the United States. There are two main classes of anti-ulcer medications. One group of anti-ulcer medications are known as the H-2 Receptor Antagonists, or H-2 Blockers and more recently, a class of drugs is known as the Proton Pump Inhibitors have also become very successful. In 1998, omeprazole, was the top selling prescription drug in the United States, accounting for nearly $3 billion dollars in sales.
These drugs function by lowering the amount of stomach acid, which can relieve the pain associated with heartburn, acid indigestion, and ulcers. However, the level of acidity in the gastrointestinal tract is a critical factor that regulates the absorption of many nutrients. In the process of making the GI tract less acidic, anti-ulcer medications inhibit the absorption of various vitamins and minerals. Studies have reported that H-2 Receptor Antagonists deplete vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D, and the minerals calcium, iron, and zinc. Because the proton pump inhibitors are a newer class of drugs, fewer studies have been conducted regarding nutrient depletions. To date, vitamin B12 is the only drug that has been documented to be depleted by the proton pump inhibitors. There is an added concern regarding the H-2 Receptor Antagonists because the FDA has allowed them to be taken off prescription-only status. This means people can have unlimited access to these medications without any monitoring or advice from health professionals.
Some of the health problems related to the depletion of folic acid, vitamin B12, and zinc were mentioned earlier during the discussion of oral contraceptives. Some additional health problems associated with vitamin B12 depletion includeanemia, fatigue, and depression. In severe cases of vitamin B12 deficiency, irreversible nerve damage can occur.
Additional nutrient depletions associated with anti-ulcer drugs include the following. Depletion of vitamin D could result in skeletal problems such as osteoporosis as well as muscle weakness, tooth decay, and hearing loss. Problems associated with calcium depletion include osteoporosis, heart and blood pressure irregularities, and tooth decay. Depletion of iron could result in hair loss, brittle nails, and anemia, with accompanying feelings of weakness, fatigue and low energy.
Our Digestive Formula DOES NOT contain any sugar, starch, yeast, salt, wheat, corn or milk. No preservatives, artificial colors or flavors.
Instructions
Ages 12 years to Adult: Take two (2) capsules with each meal, or anytime between meals as needed, as you improve you may choose to cut back to one (1) capsule per meal. Consuming this formula long term contributes to your overall health. For severe intestinal distress you can take three with each meal, 2 in-between meals each time you feel any discomfort.
Ages 7-12 years: Take one (1) capsule per day with one meal for five days. Progress to one (1) capsule with an AM and PM meal for another five days, and then finally two (2) capsules with an AM and PM meal per day.
Ages 5-7 years: Take one (1) capsule with one meal every other day for five days. Progress to one (1) capsule with one meal everyday for another five days, and then finally one (1) capsule with an AM and PM meal per day.
This product is recommended for adults and children over 12. If you experience any discomfort, discontinue taking the formulas for one full day, drink plenty of water, and then restart the instructions. Take medications and other supplements at least one hour before or after taking this formula.
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References:
Beazell, J.M., "A reexamination of the role of the stomach in the digestion of carbohydrate and protein." American Journal of Physiology 132: 42-50 (1941).
Berkow, R., ed., The Merck Manual, 15th edition, (Rahway, N.J.: Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories, 1987).
Bradley, P.R., ed. British Herbs Compendium, Volume 1. (Dorset, England: British Herbal medicine Association, 1992).
Duke, J.A. Handbook of Medicinal Plants. (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc., 1985).
Ghose, T.K. and Pathak, A.N. "Cellulases--2: Applications" Process Biochemistry, 20-24, May 1973.
Guyton, A.C. Textbook of Medicinal Physiology, 8th edition. (Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1991).
Murray, R.D., et al. "Comparative absorption of [13C] glucose and [13C] lactose by premature infants." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 51: 59-66 (1990).
O'Keefe, S.J.D., et al. "Milk-induced malabsorption in malnourished African patients." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 54: 130-5 (1991).
Schwimmer, S. Source Book of Food Enzymology. (Westport, CT: The AVI Publishing Company, Inc., 1981). Weiss, R.F. Herbal Medicine. (Gothenburg, Sweden: AB Arcanum, 1988).
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