Digestive Enzymes: The Laydown

Many people suffer with digestive discomforts and ailments such as stomach pain, bloating and gas after eating, loose stools, acid reflux or ulcers. Most frustrating for this group of people is that they are, often, incorrectly diagnosed with a medical condition then put on medication that may not work, may make symptoms worse or even cause additional symptoms because the base of the issue is not being properly treated. And the group that suffers with the highest amount of digestive problems, including issues such as intestinal bacterial and fungal overgrowth , and most susceptible to developing them, are children diagnosed with developmental delays and neurological disorders, such as autism, Asperger's and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

Recent studies suggest that between 58 and 93% of children with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have chronic gut inflammation, reflux and/or digestive enzyme activity. (Horvath, 2002; Gottschall, 2004) Often, these children have to be on special diets, nutritional supplements and good bacteria replacements in order to 'heal' their guts. But digestive enzyme supplements are what naturopaths often recommend in helping to complete the healing process of the digestive system (Dorfman, 2007).

This paper will discuss digestive enzymes in detail. There will be a discussion about the background of enzymes including where, how and why they were developed and used. I will also discuss the many benefits of enzymes, including the conditions they help to ease. I will include research studies conducted on enzymes as well as how one uses them. Finally, I will conclude with our personal journey with enzymes with my daughter, Jaimie, who has a developmental neurological disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and how they have helped ease some of her symptoms.

The History of Enzyme Supplements:

The health benefits of natural digestive enzymes was discovered in the 1920's by Dr. Edward Howell. Dr. Howell was working with another gentleman, Dr. Henry Lindlahr, when he noticed that Dr. Lindlahr's specialized raw diet regimen and fasting had a healing effect on the body. Specifically, Dr. Howell noted that the way Dr. Lindlahr ate promoted a 'significant decrease for digestive enzymes in the body.' (Howell, 1994) Basically this meant that with the decrease in the need for the body to secrete digestive enzymes it was then able to increase the amount of metabolic enzymes in the immune system that stimulate detoxifying activities.

Dr. Howell continued his research and discovered that the enzymes that were in the raw foods helped improve health by 'reducing the body's digestive burden.' (Howell, 1994.) Understanding that a person's typical diet contains considerably more enzyme-deficient cooked food than the enzyme-rich foods in the raw diet, Dr. Howell founded the National Enzyme Company in 1932 to develop the first widely-used enzyme supplements that help replace the lost enzymes from the cooking and/or processing of our foods.

His formulas were used for the modern Nutri-Essence line and, most impressive for his time, he taught people how to maintain good health through food supplementation.

Even with all of Howell's research, many researchers questioned the true benefits of digestive enzyme supplements, conducting their own research on the workings of the digestive system to determine whether supplements truly worked and were necessary (Verzar and McDougall, 1936; Miller, 1944; Cummins, 1952). Finally, a mass-study was conducted in 1957 by a team of Swiss researchers (B. Borgstrtom, A. Dahlqvist, G. Lundh, and J. Sovall) to discover the processes of digestion and the role of enzymes in absorption. This team were among some of the first to 'see' how a healthy, well-functioning digestive system functions as well as to observe how enzymes contribute to this process. This study helped give researchers something to compare when trying to figure out how to correct issues with patients suffering from various digestive system ailments.Today, people use enzyme supplementation to heal conditions such as leaky gut and other digestive issues as well as to help children with developmental delays whose digestive systems are much more sensitive to infection and other issues than the regular child's.

All About Digestive Enzymes:

Enzymes are proteins that make specific biochemical reactions in the body occur. The two main types are (1) metabolic, which regulate proper functioning of the immune, endocrine and other systems; and (2) digestive, which break down our food into useable forms. It is the digestive enzymes that are the focus of this paper.

As Dr. Howell discovered, it is the fresh, raw foods that naturally contain the enzymes our bodies need to help with digestion. The gut lining in the digestive system also produces these enzymes and a healthy digestive system needs enzymes from both of these sources in order to function in optimal form. The reason it is a concern for developmentally effected children or children with conditions such as Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or other neurological disorders is that these groups of children are usually picky eaters due to their high sensitivities (mostly tactile defensiveness). Not eating properly can damage their guts and, in turn, produce too few digestive enzymes. (Mukherjee, 2003; Jyonouchi H, Sun S, Itokazu N, 2002; Am J Gastroenterol, 2000). Horvath (2002) even suggested that the overuse of antibiotics and immunizations can also damage the digestive lining. Therefore, the enzyme supplements are needed when diet and gut are not supplying the body with sufficient amounts alone. (Wakefield AJ, 2002; Dorfman, 2007)

Before venturing out and purchasing an enzyme supplement, however, it is highly recommended to understand the basics first. Knowing what enzymes are and what they do help one determine the best fit. First, it is important to know what is in the supplements because there are many different kinds of enzymes that perform different functions: (a) amylase (digests starches), (b) cellulase (breaks down fibrous foods), (c) lipase (splits large fats into fatty acids), and (d) protease (acts on protein). There are other kinds of enzymes (eg: glucoamylase, sucrase, lactase, alpha-galactosidase, phytase and peptidase) that ensure further digestion of all food groups. When selecting an enzyme supplement, a patient needs to ensure that at least the four primary types are in it to assure digestion of the main food components. The presence of any of the other enzymes increases the digestive effectiveness of the supplement. (Dorfman, 2007)

Another thing to know is that there is a difference between animal enzymes (pancreatin) and plant enzymes (bromelain and papain). Both concentrate their digestive activity on breaking down protein but the vegetarian enzymes are derived from mycological sources and provide a full spectrum of enzymes for more complete digestion.

How are digestive enzymes taken?

There are many different brands and types of supplemental enzymes on the shelves and even with all of the laboratory testing and research conducted, it is hard to know which specific brand is best until one tries them. It is important to know that certain enzymes are specific for what they are needed to break down. For example, if one has gluten/casein intolerances, that person would need an enzyme that only works with proline.

Digestive enzyme supplements can be found in powder form, pills and chewables. The chewables or powder forms are best for children since they do not require having to swallow down a pill and the powders can be sprinkled into foods virtually undetected. Before selecting an enzyme supplement, a person should do thorough research to ensure he makes the most suitable choice for his individual digestive needs.

As well, if a person has specific digestion issues, or his gut is inflamed, enzymes can do more damage than good or cause additional irritation. It is suggested that if unpleasant reactions occur, to stop taking them and see a naturopath or homeopath or other health care provider for advise on how to proceed.
Who can most benefit from digestive enzyme supplements?

Not every person with digestive issues needs to be on enzyme supplements. The following are specific issues that taking digestive enzymes can help with:

Appetite: One issue when enzymes are low is that food is not digested well and sits in the gastrointestinal tract. This results in tummy discomfort as well as poor absorption of needed nutrients and calories. This can cause a child to associate those bad feelings with food and, as a result, he will not eat. Alternatively, if a child is eating well but not gaining weight, it means the food is not getting to where it is needed. Digestive enzyme supplements can help with the discomfort as well as help the body absorb the nutrients from food.

Malabsorption: A healthy gut lining will produce sufficient enzymes and is able to absorb the proper amount of nutrients (such as vitamin A, zinc, protein and B vitamins) to function efficiently. However when the gut is not producing enough enzymes on its own, it is not able to take the nutrients it needs and this leads to further deficiency. The enzyme supplements help break the cycle of malabsorption by breaking down food properly so minerals and vitamins can be taken in and used sufficiently. (Dorfman, 2007; Horvath 2002)

Waning from restrictive diets: For some children and adults a restrictive diet is necessary to help an ailing gut repair itself from the damage of irritants or inflammation. When cheating during these diets occurs, it can cause very uncomfortable symptoms. As Dorfman (2007) states, "...you cannot remove all food so the gut can truly rest and repair." Supplemental enzymes can reduce any reactions by breaking the allergens in the food into more 'manageable' pieces.

Dysbiosis: this term refers to a microbe imbalance in the gut and the sufferer experiences symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation. It is caused when bacteria or yeast in the digestive system ferments food particles and this impairs digestion. When digestion is not effective, large pieces of food sit in the digestive tract and can accumulate yeast or bacteria and the cycle continues. Enzymes help to complete digestion of the food so that it can be pushed out and not be a base for further inflammation.

Essentially those who would most benefit from enzyme supplements are those who have recurring ailments in the gastrointestinal tract, are susceptible to such ailments or who have eating struggles.

Conclusion:

Just as Dr. Howell realized so many decades ago the best way to ensure optimal digestive health is to eat healthy beginning with a pure raw food diet. Unfortunately in this modern, fast world this is not a reality for many people. That is most likely why so many people develop problems in their guts, which are misdiagnosed and treated incorrectly causing further damage.

My daughter, Jaimie, has SPD with her tactile sensory system being most severely affected. Your tactile system can determine what you will touch, who you will play with, what kinds of clothes you will wear and, most of a concern, the foods you will eat. Jaimie got to the point where all she would eat was plain pasta, apple sauce and a very specific type of chicken pie (with everything removed). Her gut was so damaged from her lack of vital vitamins and minerals that when she was finally ready to eat good foods, it hurt her. Of course, that began a deeper cycle of not wanting to eat because she associated it with 'bad feelings.' We eliminated all foods from our diet that had artificial colours, flavorings or any other additives but it was not enough. Enzymes helped Jaimie tolerate the foods she was eating enough to at least try them as well as enabled her to absorb the nutrients in the foods she was eating more effectively. Today, she still has severe tactile issues that interfere with eating but at least she tries new things without pain.

Enzymes are critical to proper digestion. They are safe, natural and, in a lot of cases, necessary since diet elimination or specialized diets are simply not enough to heal serious problems. Enzymes are considered by many to be the next step in complete digestive healing.

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References

Cummins, A. J. (1952) Absorption of glucose and methionine from the human intestine; the influence of the glucose concentration in the blood and in the intestinal lumen. Journal of Clinical Investigation, Vol 31, 928.

Dorfman, K. (2007). E is for enzyme.

Gottschall, E. (2004). Digestion-gut-autism connection: the specific carbohydrate diet. Medical Veritas, 261-271.

Horvath, K. (2002). Autism and gastrointestinal symptoms. Current Gastroenterology Reports, Vol 4 (3).

Jyonouchi H, Sun S, Itokazu N (2002). Gut pathogens and ASD. Neuropsychobiology. Vol 46(2) pp 76-84.

Mukherjee, M. (2003). Human Digestive and metabolic lipases-a brief review. Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic, Vol 22 (5-6), pp 369-376.

Miller, T. G., Intubation studies of the human small intestine. XXVI. A review of a ten year experience. Gastroenterology, 1944, 3, 141.

Verzar, F., and McDougall, E. J., Absorption from the Intestine. London, Longmans, Green and Co., 1936.