From Digestion to Absorption: The Importance of Digestive Enzymes in Nutrient Uptake

March 09, 2023

Digestive enzymes have become a hot topic in recent health trends, and for a good reason. These essential proteins work as the catalyst in the breakdown of food into smaller molecules and are the gatekeepers for proper nutrition absorption by the body.

Professional Botanicals has been incorporating digestive enzymes into every formulation for over 40 years, demonstrating our commitment to overall digestive health and staying ahead of the industry trends. Proper capsule breakdown is critical for optimal nutrient absorption when taking supplements, and digestive enzymes play a crucial role in breaking down the capsule and releasing the nutrients for absorption.

What They Do

Digestive enzymes are hydrolytic enzymes that break down macromolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into smaller molecules that the body can absorb. Various organs produce them in the body, including the pancreas and small intestine. These organic catalysts are involved in a multitude of vital processes that help maintain homeostasis and facilitate a wide range of chemical reactions, from digesting food to repairing muscle tissues after working out. Without enzymes, the body would be unable to function properly. Enzymes work by lowering the "activation energy" of chemical reactions and weakening chemical bonds allowing the reactions to occur much faster, sometimes 100 times faster than if the reactions occurred without the enzymes.

The Impact of Insufficient Enzymes on Nutrition

Diet can play a role in how many digestive enzymes your body produces. For example, if you eat many processed or high-fat foods, your body may produce fewer digestive enzymes over time. On the other hand, if you eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, your body may produce more digestive enzymes to help break down those foods. Other factors impacting enzyme production include age, stress levels, and certain medical conditions like pancreatitis or celiac disease. Additionally, taking certain medications like antibiotics or proton pump inhibitors can also affect enzyme production.

Not having enough digestive enzymes can lead to various digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, and indigestion. This can also lead to reduced nutrient absorption and potential deficiencies or even malabsorption (malnutrition) — not from a lack of eating enough nutrients but from an inability to absorb them.

Malabsorption could have a myriad of adverse effects. People may experience:

Abdominal pain
Abdominal distension
Bloating
Gas
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Steatorrhea (fatty stools)
Milk protein intolerances
Gluten intolerance

Revolutionizing the Industry: The Benefits of Incorporating Enzymes in our Formulations

The supplement market is saturated with products that may not be formulated for optimal absorption, potentially leading to a suboptimal outcome for the consumer and the professional. Furthermore, many commercially available supplements only provide a basic enzyme mix or none at all.

In 1980, upon establishing Professional Botanicals, we constructed our formulations around the fundamental utilization of enzymes and developed our signature blend EDS™ (enzyme delivery system). In addition, we conducted extensive research on various types of enzymes, their quality, and the optimal ratio required, including concentration and mineral cofactors. All of these factors were tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual formula.

Because the processing of nutrients is different for every person and not in our control, we chemically analyze and add concentrated vegetable enzymes matched to release the nutrients in the formula. This guarantees the bioavailability of bound nutrients. This is accomplished whether the original plant enzymes remained intact and 'alive' through processing or the condition of the 'sick' patients compromised digestive system.

Professional Botanicals products prioritize the importance of breakdown and absorption to increase nutrient yield. Our use of EDS™ technology ensures that vitamins, minerals, and herb components are released from their whole parts, making nutrients easier to digest and assimilate and boosting overall performance. Each and every one of our products* contains a blend of essential enzymes that work synergistically to break down supplements as soon as they hit the stomach. This means you can rest assured that your body is absorbing and utilizing each and every capsule you swallow.

Optimizing Enzyme Dosage for Maximum Results

Overall, enzymes are vital to maintaining optimal health and wellness. Enzymes are already produced in the body in response to food intake. The problem lies in the inadequate production of enzymes to meet the demands of external stress factors, including processed food, environmental toxins, physical exercise, and emotional stress. Therefore, enzyme supplements help the body to simply catch up to demands. If you or a patient is experiencing gastrointestinal distress, incorporating digestive enzymes into your regimen may be a life-changing starting point.

Vegie Zymes:

Contains a highly researched and time-tested broad spectrum of complex enzymes and creates a complete enzyme product. This formula addresses food breakdown and digestion instead of just covering up symptoms. Our formula supports the body's natural ability to break down food and maintain healthy digestion and metabolic activity by providing an optimal dosage of concentrated digestive enzymes. This approach is much more effective than simply masking symptoms with over-the-counter aids. Additionally, our formula is 100% vegetable-sourced, making it truly organic and vegetarian-friendly and free from harmful chemicals, preservatives, and milk products.

https://professionalbotanicals.com/products/vegie-zymes

Dosage/Usage: 2 Capsules per meal. Best taken 30 minutes before eating. Can also be taken at the onset of any indigestion symptoms like gas, heartburn, or upset stomach.

Tips for children: Try opening the capsule and mixing it into applesauce or a smoothie—also an excellent option for expectant mothers suffering from heartburn.

Notes: The dosage we suggest for all of our products is based on a weight of 150 pounds. If you weigh more than 150 lbs, we suggest an additional capsule for every 50 to 75 pounds or one capsule less for a child or person less than 100 lbs.

Pairs Well With:

For general nutrition and health: this product pairs well with our probiotic formula Flora Norm. These work together to aid in gut health and the digestion process to break down and absorb nutrients from our food. Ultimate Vita-Min fills any gaps. For ultimate daily wellness, check out Essentials Pack. This 8-in-1 packet contains all the essential vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, pre and probiotics, enzymes, super greens, and immune boost.