Ramp Up Your Digestion

Growing up I had a cast iron stomach. I could eat anything, anytime. Then I got Lyme Disease and hit my 40s. Suddenly it seemed as if I couldn’t eat anything.

I suffered from bloating and indigestion with almost every meal. And if I was going through a stressful time at work things were even worse. It was uncomfortable, impacted my sleep, and at times made me miserable!

I had no idea, “as a normal part of the aging process, natural digestive enzyme production begins to decline at age 27.” Once I read this, I set out to discover if there were steps I could take to correct this deficiency. I did some research and decided to experiment with digestive enzymes and Betaine Hydrochloric Acid (HCL).

I’m happy to report both have been very effective! Read on to learn why digestive enzymes and HCL might work for you too.

Symptoms of Poor Digestion

Poor digestion can look like many things. Common symptoms include indigestion, gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Less well-known symptoms are constant fatigue, skin irritation, and food sensitivities.

You can ask your doctor for a stool test if you are unsure if low digestive enzymes might be the cause of your digestive issues.

Digestion and Midlife

“The amount of enzymes produced by the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine is generally believed to decline as we age.” One of the contributing factors is a decline in our ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as we get older which is critical for making digestive enzymes. These decreasing levels of enzymes can result in food which is not broken down so maximum nutrition can be extracted.

Fortunately, “a broad-spectrum of digestive enzymes that includes proteases, amylases, lipases, pancreatin, cellulase, and lipase has been shown not only to increase the digestion of a wide range of foods, but remarkably to decrease post-surgery recovery time and, in certain cases, serve as a helpful adjuvant in cancer therapy.”

What are Digestive Enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are critical proteins. They are necessary for speeding up chemical reactions which break down food so it can be absorbed by your digestive system. These enzymes are produced by your digestive system, including your mouth, stomach, gallbladder, and pancreas. You need sufficient levels of these enzymes to ensure you are getting the maximum nutrition from the food you are eating.

There are different types of enzymes, each of which has a special job. There is lipase to digest fat; amylase to digest carbohydrates; chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase, and trypsin to digest protein; and nucleases for digesting nucleic acids which are important for cell function. In addition, your liver secretes bile salts to help with the breakdown of fat.

How to support your body’s ability to produce digestive enzymes

For maximum digestive health it is important to stay active, eat a healthy diet and avoid processed foods. Digestive enzymes need minerals from food as cofactors to function properly which a diet of processed foods does not supply. It is important to drink plenty of fluids and get some fiber.

It is also important to manage stress levels. When your body is stressed, it doesn’t prioritize sending energy to digestion or to creating digestive enzymes. And don’t eat on the run (this is a tough one for me!). Take a moment to sit down and let your body get into a parasympathetic state where it can prioritize digestion and digestive enzyme production.

Supplementing with Digestive Enzymes

If you believe you are not naturally producing enough digestive enzymes, the benefits of supplementing with digestive enzymes can include:

·         Enjoying the foods you always have, without the side effects

·         Supporting your digestive system’s overall health

·         Obtaining maximum nutrient absorption

·         Experiencing regular bowel movements to increase natural detoxification

·         Having increased energy

·         Promoting improved immunity

·         Sustaining overall health and longevity

I have tried many different digestive enzyme supplements and do not believe all are created equal (using myself as a test subject of 1). My absolute favorite is Masszymes, a full spectrum digestive enzyme by biOptimizers. I also use their HCL Breakthrough and kApex products. I use kApex when I am eating a high fat meal as I know my body does not digest fat well.

In addition, you can also try eating foods which have natural digestive enzymes, such as pineapple, avocado, papaya, banana, mango, raw honey, kefir, sauerkraut, and ginger. It is best to eat these foods raw as enzymes are sensitive to heat.

Digestive enzymes are only effective if you take them right before or at the start of a meal. If you are interested in trying them, you can use a full spectrum digestive enzyme or one that is specifically formulated for your specific digestive issue. And while they are generally considered safe, digestive enzymes can have negative side effects such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

Lastly, be aware certain medications can interfere with digestive enzyme supplements so check with your doctor first.

Betaine HCL

It is not uncommon as we age for levels of stomach acid to decline. The decline in the stomach’s ability to produce hydrochloric acid (HCL) is a condition called Hypochlorhydria. HCL is important for a couple of reasons.

First, it plays an important role in activating digestive enzymes to digest and absorb proteins. It also helps break down food before it enters the small intestine. In addition, “new research suggests that low stomach acid may play a role in the development of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). Low stomach acid can lead to nutritional deficiencies and may put you at greater risk for food poisoning and other gut infections.”

Betaine HCL is best taken on an empty stomach just before a meal. In terms of side effects, betaine HCL can cause a burning sensation (if this happens, stop taking it) and those with peptic ulcers should not use betaine HCL.

For additional information on betaine HCL, check out this article.

Parting Thought

I find when my stomach is “off” then the rest of me doesn’t function as well either. My enzymes are an important part of keeping me feeling well.

See you next week…