More than 200 healthy study subjects at the Luigi Sacco Hospital in Milan, Italy were split into four groups. Two groups received a daily dose of the probiotic strains BB-12 and L. casei. The other two groups were given a placebo pill. After two weeks, all four groups were given a seasonal influenza vaccine. Plasma and saliva were taken before the test began and at six weeks to compare the number of flu antibodies.

The results showed that while all groups received the vaccine, the L. casei group showed a 46% increase in the number of antibodies produced, compared to just a 2% increase in the corresponding placebo group.

Sam Lingo, director of operations for Enzymes, Inc., says studies like this will open the public’s eyes to the power that a balanced digestive system possesses.

“Many consumers don’t understand that the digestive system is at the very core of overall health,” Lingo says. “It really goes back to the foundations of enzyme therapy. If your body isn’t busy fighting a war in the gut, it has the biochemical resources it needs to focus elsewhere, including strengthening the immune system, responding to inflammation and helping to improve other vital systemic (organ and tissue) function.”

Probiotics have sparked a proverbial firestorm within the consumer food and health industry in recent years. From traditional probiotic-rich foods to new drinks, supplements and even “gummy” products, consumers are bombarded with the message that probiotics are nature’s answer to indigestion– eliminating “bad” bacteria and boosting “good” bacteria, all with little risk of side effects. However, probiotic manufacturers are going to great lengths to one-up their competitors, claiming that more strains of probiotics are more beneficial. Are they correct? Not necessarily. Click here to read more.

Enzymes, Inc. offers potent probiotic supplements comprised of the most effective types and quantities to produce the best results. ProSol[[$trademark]] Probiotic and Advanced Formula[[$trademark]] FlorEnz[[$trademark]] are also available through your healthcare practitioner.

Enzyme supplements work with probiotics in the digestive process. They help break down food, absorb nutrients and help decrease the symptoms of indigestion. WellZymes[[$trademark]] Digestive Health is a broad-spectrum enzyme supplement that includes specific digestive enzymes used to break down specific types of foods, including protein, fats, dairy and carbohydrates.

Don’t know what an enzyme is? Click here to view a brief educational video.

Diastase is responsible for breaking down food starches into maltose, a disaccharide. In the past, diastase was derived from barley malt (Hordeum vulgare). Over the past few years, National Enzyme Company (NEC), EI’s enzyme manufacturer, pursued Kosher certification and discovered that malt diastase does not meet Kosher standards. NEC executives decided to switch to a fungal source of diastase called Aspergillus oryzae, which still maintains the important diastatic digestive capacity of malt diastase.

Danielle Harrison, scientific and regulatory affairs manager at NEC, says while well under FALPCA levels, malt diastase did show extremely small amounts of gluten when tested.  In contrast, diastase from Aspergillus oryzae has shown no traces of gluten when tested, she says.

Sam, Lingo, EI Operations Manager, says the change in source organisms is of definite benefit to current and future customers.

“Some customers have sensitivities to malt or barley,” he says. “Now that gluten has been eliminated completely from diastase, customers and potential customers can move forward and use our products with an even greater confidence that they’re one step closer to optimal health.”

Products that used to contain malt diastase but now include the fungal source diastase are:

-Advanced Formula™ DigestEnz™

-Advanced Formula GastrEnz™

-Ness™ #21 Sugar digest

-ProSol™ Digestion

-ProSol Sugar/Starch Digestion™

-ProSol Gastro Calm™

-ProSol Fiber Digestion™

-WellZymes™ Protein/Fat Digestion

-WellZymes Gastric Ease™

-Nutri-Essence™ Digestion

-Nutri-Essence Digest Chewables

-Nutri-Essence Gas Ease

Lingo says the conversion process for all EI products containing malt diastase is likely to be complete by mid 2012.

Gluten is the primary protein found in wheat. Despite it being a component of natural foods, it has been under great scrutiny in the past decade, with many scientists and experts blaming gluten for a wide variety of digestive and organ problems.  Some have theorized that gluten sensitivity is a contributing factor in auto-immune disorders and autism.

If you or your patients experience sensitivities to gluten, ProSol Gluten Digestion™ can help. Click here to learn more.

We’ve listed a few legitimate organizations that can help you make a fast and convenient donation to our neighbors in Japan. And if you make a donation to a Japan relief effort and send us a copy of your receipt (send to ndupont@enzymesinc.com), we’ll send you a coupon code to receive 25% off your next online order of any of our consumer products (WellZymes, Nutri-Essence, and Genuine N Zimes). Please note: You must be an individual consumer to receive the discount. Practitioners and retailers will not be eligible.

UNICEF, United Nations Children’s Fund (formerly United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund): “The U.S. Fund for UNICEF (USF) is raising funds to help children in Japan impacted by the recent earthquake and tsunami. This is an unusual decision, as Japan is a donor to UNICEF, not a recipient of its assistance.  However, due to the unprecedented nature of the epic disaster and its impact on children, resources are going to be critical in helping provide for the very unique needs of children. These may include health, development and protection and other needs that may have been compromised or disrupted in the wake of catastrophe.” (Source: U.S. Fund for UNICEF website) Click here to donate.

Second Harvest—Japan: The cost of delivering donated food is expensive. Click here to help donate food or monetary support for delivery expenses.

The American Red Cross: “In many respects, the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan’s northeast is rapidly becoming a disaster associated with the elderly. The three evacuation centers in the shattered town of Otsuchi are filled with the old and ill. Many are too tired or too sick to do little but lie on mattresses on the floor, swathed in blankets. The weather is taking a heavy toll on the health of the survivors in evacuation centers, many of who are elderly. Japanese Red Cross Society doctors say there has been an increase in cases of influenza and some diarrheal diseases.” (Source: The American Red Cross website) Click here to donate.

Habitat for Humanity: “In the short-term, Habitat for Humanity Japan is mobilizing its pool of local volunteers and recruiting others to support the Japanese government’s initial clean-up and relief operation, which will start in earnest after the search and rescue operations have finished. Longer-term, Habitat for Humanity will continue to provide volunteer support to rebuild the disaster-stricken areas of the country. Habitat for Humanity International will also assist Habitat for Humanity Japan in rebuilding its own capacity to serve families in need of shelter within the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.” (Source: Habitat for Humanity website) Click here to donate.

As always, supplemental enzymes are key to absorbing nutrients more completely and getting the most out of food. If you’re sending a family member, friend or colleague a care package in Japan, don’t forget to send a full-spectrum enzyme supplement for general digestion.

Here are Weamer’s quotes:

On this front, Dan Kaur Weamer, director of technical services at Enzymes, Inc., Parkville, MO, recommends probiotic formulas that “combine four or five probiotic strains that colonize the bowel in high numbers—preferably three billion or more viable organisms.”

Says Weamer of Enzymes, Inc., “In supporting proper digestion with enzyme supplements, you’re relieving digestive stress from the pancreas. This helps the body conserve energy that supports and helps maintain a healthy immune system. In addition, complete digestion of food reduces the chance that partially digested food will cross the gut barrier. When this happens, there’s a negative immune reaction to the foreign substance (improperly digested food), which places major stress on the body.”

The story mentions WellZymes™ Colon Health, WellZymes™ Digestive Health and WellZymes™ Gastric Ease™ as “Select Digestive Health Offerings.”

Bone Health – provides the body with several bone-strengthening minerals and herbs as it aids in the absorption of essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D.
Immune Health – aids immune function and stimulates the body’s natural defenses against microorganisms, environmental toxins and other foreign invaders.
Lung Health – helps strengthen the respiratory tract’s natural defenses while it stimulates mucus production and enables its rapid clearing from the lungs.
Male Vigor™ – helps maintain healthy testosterone levels and preserves normal sperm formation and motility. It also promotes a natural sex drive with sufficient stamina.
Mature Woman – provides nutrients to help maintain hormonal balance and promote vitality. It also aids regulation of body temperature, promotes blood flow and supports bone health.
Mental Focus™ – supports proper blood flow and helps maintain neurotransmitters in the brain that are essential for memory, concentration and energy.
Mood Enhance™ – helps normalize the brain’s mood-elevating substances and promotes the flow of blood to the brain and nervous system for increased energy levels.
Nasal Clear™ – enhances the body’s natural resistance to harmful microorganisms and other airborne irritants while it helps normalize mucus production.
PMS Comfort™ – provides support for symptoms of premenstrual syndrome by helping balance hormone levels. It also promotes healthy uterine muscle tone and aids menstrual flow.
Prostate Health – helps nourish the prostate, regulate related hormones and reduce inflammation in associated tissues. It also helps strengthen the bladder by improving urine flow.
Sleep Enhance – promotes restful sleep without nighttime awakenings and daytime drowsiness. It’s a safe, non-addictive sleep aid that contributes to overall well-being.

Most of the above products will be available at 50% off through the end of 2009 (while supplies last).