As has been mentioned in several articles throughout the Enzymes Work and Enzyme Experts Web sites, improper digestion can be the root cause of several disorders.

Some of the most common symptoms of digestive problems include indigestion, bloating, gas and acid reflux. Other, more serious ailments associated with digestive disease are fibromyalgia, allergies and immune disorders.

As mentioned in the Enzymes Work post “Support group Web sites great for health,” www.healthcentral.com makes online support groups available for those suffering from many conditions, including acid reflux, allergies, diabetes and osteoarthritis.

A March 17 article at MyIBDCentral.com, a Health Central Web site devoted to those struggling with inflammatory bowel disease, discusses in depth some symptoms of IBD that might develop outside of the gastrointestinal tract. These include arthritis, skin disorders, eye problems and liver disease.

Be sure to check out the article here.

Unlike antacids and acid blockers, which only mask the symptoms of improper digestion, digestive enzyme supplements attack the root cause. Enzyme supplements can help the body properly break down food and assimilate nutrients for increased immune function and better overall health.

Because our modern diets of cooked and processed food contain little, if any, natural enzymes, it’s increasingly important to support digestion with safe, natural enzyme supplements. Enzymes help the body break down proteins, which if not digested properly create a potentially cancerous environment in the colon. A study also reports that the tendency toward food allergies is reduced up to 10,000 times when proper digestion is supported.

A story from Enzyme Experts on March 21 reports 5.2 million Americans now have Alzheimer’s disease, but the data on memory impairment doesn’t stop there.

In fact, according to a mid-March story from HealthDay, 5.4 million Americans over 70 have memory loss that affects their daily lives, and 3.5 million Americans have dementia, the more serious form of cognitive dysfunction.

ABC news says Alzheimer’s disease and strokes are causes of dementia. While some reports say exercise and brain-stimulating activities, such as crossword puzzles, protect against the onset of Alzheimer’s, the ABC report also mentions controlling hypertension and diabetes as ways to avoid mental decline.

As reported in the Enzyme Experts story, WellZymes™ Mental Focus™ is a great option for maintaining memory, concentration and energy. Also, to improve focus, performance and memory, ask your health care practitioner about BioSET™ Brain.

Because a healthy lifestyle is so important, especially for baby boomers and other seniors, it’s imperative to complement physical and mental exercise with highly nutritious foods and nutritional supplements.

For energy and enhanced immunity, the WellZymes™ line features several products that help the body properly break down food and assimilate nutrients. For overall health and vitality, WellZymes™ Antioxidant, Immune Health and Cardiovascular Health are excellent options.

Nutrition is a vital component of enzyme therapy. Combined with proper nutrition and a healthful lifestyle, enzyme supplements can promote natural healing, vitality and a strong immune system.

In your quest to eat well and live better, be sure to check out MSN’s health site, which offers just about everything under the sun when it comes to healthy living.

It seems we’re constantly bombarded by positive and negative health news in print, on television and on the Internet. MSN’s site provides articles, videos and interactive tools on everything health related in one location.

The health site features daily headlines, diet and fitness tips, a symptom checker and several online support groups. In addition, be sure to check out the Healthier Living tab, which has a variety of professionally produced videos.

If you’re taking the time to focus on a healthier lifestyle this month, remember to include digestive and systemic enzymes as part of your approach to whole-body wellness. Digestive enzymes help you get the most nutrition out of the foods you eat, while systemic enzymes can provide sources of nutrition and anti-inflammatory action to address a variety of conditions.

A story published Monday on the Enzyme Experts news site explained that a near doubling in projected government spending on health care was partly attributable to the increasing costs of new drugs.

And only one day later, that government forecast gained strength when a story from The Associated Press reported prices for brand-name drugs increased an average of 7.4 percent in 2007. Doctors prescribed these medications mostly to the elderly.

Medicare spending, according to Monday’s story, is expected to increase to $844 billion by 2017, an almost twofold increase from today’s numbers. That jump is being blamed on the high costs of new drugs and medical technology.

As the price of drugs continues to increase at more than double the rate of inflation, the government shields much of these costs from consumers who use Medicare drug benefits, according to The Associated Press. The story goes on to suggest that since government assistance has decreased consumer complaints about prescription costs, drug manufacturers encounter fewer roadblocks to price increases.

At the same time, drug ads are encouraging about a third of Americans to ask their doctors about prescriptions for advertised pharmaceuticals, according to a USA Today story in early March. In 44 percent of those cases, patients reported their doctors prescribed the drug about which they inquired.

For patients of all ages, safe and affordable enzyme-based nutritional supplements offer support for natural healing, health maintenance and preventive care. Enzyme supplements could also help offset skyrocketing health care expenses.

We’ve all seen it before: The dietary supplement shunned today for its illness-causing attributes is the same supplement hailed just last year for its proven disease-prevention properties.

Several supplements have fallen casualty to bad press following months, or even years, of positive news. Some of the latest victims include vitamin E and probiotics.

In many cases, a poorly designed study might actually lead to less-than-desirable trial results for dietary supplements, according to a late February story from foodnavigator.com. Oftentimes, supplements are tested as if they were drugs, when in fact they might function in very different ways.

The truth is, more than 65% of U.S. adults place their confidence in dietary supplements. In all, the supplement industry is worth more than $22 billion, according to an MSNBC story.

Enzyme-based nutritional supplements can offer support for a variety of health conditions, and they are excellent for preventive care. Unlike many pharmaceuticals, enzyme supplements enhance health without the risk of serious side effects.

Digestive products in the WellZymes™ line, for example, can help the body break down and better absorb essential nutrients, while an increase in metabolic energy can help strengthen immune function. Products such as WellZymes™ Antioxidant, as well as many other enzyme-based systemic products, contain enzymes that help the body assimilate nutrients, which in turn can promote natural healing and aid in health maintenance.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for children in a category that has been linked to serious long-term side effects, including bacterial infection, nutrient deficiency and cancer.

The FDA announced its approval of Nexium for children ages 1 to 11 in a Feb. 28 news release.

Nexium, a proton-pump inhibitor, suppresses acid production in the stomach with the goal of healing erosions in the esophagus. Other proton-pump inhibitors include Prilosec and Prevacid.

Although the release recommended Nexium for short-term treatment – eight weeks – starting children on the drug, even at low potencies, should be cause for alarm. If doctors prescribe Nexium throughout a person’s childhood, or if use continues into adulthood, there could be serious consequences.

Drugs that inhibit natural acid production are associated with increased risk of hip fractures, likely because calcium is not sufficiently absorbed, according to a story from MSNBC. Impaired calcium absorption could be detrimental for children, who rely on the nutrient for healthy growth.

In addition, restrained acid production could increase the risk of intestinal infection and bacterial overgrowth in the stomach and small intestine. According to MSNBC, the overgrowth of bacteria in the stomach could lead to pneumonia, vitamin B12 deficiency and stomach cancer.

H2 blockers such as Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet also suppress acid production. Some of these products, along with traditional antacids, can be purchased over the counter.

Antacids, such as Tums and Rolaids, can cause problems with protein digestion and vitamin B12 absorption. Long-term use can interfere with absorption of other nutrients, including iron and calcium.

Acid blockers and antacids simply mask the symptoms of gastrointestinal problems and provide temporary relief. Enzyme-based digestive supplements, on the other hand, help address the root cause of stomach problems – improper digestion.

Safe, effective digestive enzyme supplements work naturally with the body to relieve digestive problems. They appear to decrease distension of the stomach, which might help relieve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to MSNBC.

For children, great-tasting WellZymes™ Digestive Chewables provide a broad-spectrum blend of digestive enzymes to help the body properly break down food. Other digestive enzyme supplements in the WellZymes™ line, offered in vegetarian tablets, also can help address gastrointestinal complaints.

Digestive enzymes can improve nutrient absorption while they help decrease or eliminate indigestion, gas, bloating, reflux and other symptoms of improper digestion. A reduction in the enzyme-producing burden placed on digestive organs can also increase energy and boost immune function.

For those with ulcers or other damage to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, WellZymes™ Gastric Ease™ is recommended in place of antacids. Gastric Ease™ can help soothe and protect the gastrointestinal lining, as well as promote proper digestion when taken with meals.

Whether it’s consumer-driven, government-sponsored or simply a blog, there are several Web sites out there that can offer useful information on medical conditions and symptoms.

And chances are that if you’ve ever struggled with an ongoing or painful illness, you’ve likely consulted the Internet a time or two to learn more about the problem. There are medical Web sites that can offer information on health care options, support groups or simply ways to help put your mind at ease.

Even better, Web sites can offer information that even your doctor might find useful.

In Georgia, for example, the doctor of a 4-year-old with cat scratch fever couldn’t find an antibiotic that would address the condition, according to a mid-February story from cnn.com. The only other option the doctor could offer was a stronger antibiotic; however, deafness was a potential side effect of the medication.

Wanting to avoid that risk, the young boy’s aunt, with the help of a colleague, tracked down an article that revealed another antibiotic option. It was something the doctor hadn’t considered, but it worked well, and the boy recovered with no side effects.

Consult Enzymes, Inc., Web sites for alternative options

At Enzymes, Inc., our Web sites offer the latest information on alternative health care and enzyme-based supplement options to help address your needs. In addition, our sites offer the latest in news and analysis to help you live a more healthful life.

At www.enzymesinc.com, you can learn more about the benefits of supplemental enzymes, the company and our product lines. Enzymes, Inc., provides consumer- and professional-based products that focus on several conditions, including digestive disorders, joint problems and fibromyalgia. We also have products that offer whole-body nutritional support.

In addition to this blog site, be sure to check out www.enzymeexperts.com. Here, you’ll find important news stories and links that put the spotlight on health and wellness.

And as you search our Web sites, be sure to keep in mind the products and enzyme therapy options that are of most interest to you. If there are products you would like to try, ask your health care practitioner or call us at 800-228-1501 for more information.

There was a brief story about the potential creation of a new class of drugs – behind-the-counter drugs (BTCs) – on the fdanews.com Web site in late January. In 1995, the Government Accountability Office issued a report on BTCs, and two democratic congressmen have requested an update to that document.

According to the story, the congressmen want to know about the potential benefits of such a drug class, which although available without a prescription would require pharmacist counsel before being purchased. One side says BTC drugs would improve patient access to medications, while another says it would raise drug costs.

On one hand, a BTC class might be unnecessary for some types of drugs, and it could possibly create longer lines at the pharmacist counter. However, as we learn more about the ineffectiveness of some types of children’s medications and the harmful side effects of NSAIDs and other pain relievers, it might be a better time now more than ever to have pharmacist intervention. And, such a class could keep over-the-counter drugs out of the hands of adolescents who use the products to get high.

It’s interesting that as some modern prescription drugs – such as acid reducers and allergy medications – gain shelf space in nonprescription form, we’re now considering placing some previously nonprescription medicines behind the counter. At the same time, there have been quite a few studies lately that have questioned the safety and effectiveness of some widely used over-the-counter drugs.

The good news for consumers? They have a safe, natural alternative.

Enzyme-based, nutritive and herbal products from Enzymes, Inc., are safe and effective in supporting a variety of conditions. Digestive enzymes help the body better absorb nutrients to promote natural healing, while systemic enzyme products can enhance natural healing. Enzymes, Inc., also carries probiotic products to aid digestion and colon health, and antioxidant supplements can help protect the body against environmental harm. In addition to helping with current symptoms, enzyme-based products can help promote whole-body health.

A story on foodproductiondaily.com reports that probiotics might play a role in metabolism. According to a recent study, probiotics could change the way bile acids are metabolized, which could affect how individuals absorb fat.

Now, the story never went into what altering “how much fat the body is able to absorb” could mean for humans, but another story at healthcarerepublic.com asserts probiotics might assist in weight loss. In fact, the report says the findings could lead to the development of probiotic therapies for obesity or diabetes.

It’s hard to say where this type of research might lead. Although probiotics are being widely used in a variety of food products, the mechanism by which they act is largely a mystery. The stories pointed out that the research, performed on mice that had human microbes in their guts, was important because it pinpoints one way probiotic strains might work.

That probiotics could help increase energy and improve metabolism is great news, especially if it leads to more healthful choices when it comes to dieting for weight loss. It seems there’s a new weight-loss pill or method on the market every week, and the long-term safety of many of these products is anybody’s guess.

The popular weight-loss product on the market today, alli, works by preventing the body from absorbing some of the fat ingested from food. Is the $60 per month price tag and side effects, including fecal urgency, loss of bowel control and gas, worth it? Plus, is it healthful, in the long term, to keep a body from absorbing fat, an essential nutrient?

A natural way to achieve weight loss, of course, is exercise and proper diet. And to supplement those methods, Enzymes, Inc., carries an extensive line of highly effective digestive enzyme products that help the body fully absorb nutrients from food. Digestive enzyme supplements also can boost energy for immune function and ease gastrointestinal problems, such as gas and bloating. The great thing is, enzymes occur naturally in the body.

Other natural products include WellZymes™ Metabolic Balance,™ which contains herbal extracts to stimulate the body’s metabolic processes. It helps the body burn fat calories and possibly helps burn stored fat. Also, WellZymes™ Colon Health, a probiotic supplement, contains more than 3 billion “friendly bacteria” for digestive health. These strains help to impede the growth of harmful gut bacteria. They also can promote a healthy immune system.

By D.K. Weamer, M.S. C.N.

Well it looks like there is another product on the market for weight loss called Alli. It is reported that Alli blocks the digestive enzyme, Lipase that digests fat in the diet. Taking Alli inhibits the absorption of about 25% of all fat eaten. The drawbacks include the cost: $60-$67 per month, $720 per year, as well as, an oily discharge, fecal urgency or loss of bowl control and gas. Since “Alli” inhibits lipase and fat absorption only, it will not be very helpful for reducing the effects of calories that come from the over-consumption of sugars, starches or simple carbohydrates and it is still unclear if once you have reached your goal weight you will need to continue to use the product just to maintain the weight loss.

The number one reason both for weight gain and lack of weight loss is poor digestion. When we can’t properly digest foods, our bodies run low on key nutrients, causing the body to begin to crave food in hopes of getting the nutrients that it is missing. But poor digestion, coupled with low nutrient, high calorie foods do not provide the nutrients needed and the cravings and weight gain continue.

A better approach would be to increase the availability and absorption of nutrients by consuming low calorie, high nutrient foods and taking a good broad-spectrum digestive enzyme with each meal.

In addition try taking a good metabolic stimulant.
Wellzymes Metabolic Balance contains:
Bladderwack Kelp, Guggulipid and Green tea extracts to stimulate the body’s metabolic processes and increase the burning of fat calories.
Chromium, Alpha lipoic acid and Banana and Gymnema leaf extracts help clear glucose from the blood stream, stabilize blood sugar levels and increase energy production, while Rhodiola rosea root extract has been reported to stimulate weight loss, possibly by activating an enzyme necessary for burning stored fat. One study reports that 92% of those taking Rhodiola lost an average of 20 lbs. within a 3month period.

Wellzymes Metabolic Balance taken twice a day between meals can help to stimulate your metabolism, balance blood sugar and increase the body’s ability to burn fat.