Digestive
Enzymes
Digestive
enzymes help
the body to
break down and
use the nutrients
from fats, carbs,
proteins, sugars
and fibers.
They are produced
by the body,
mainly in the
pancreas, but
also the stomach
and salivary
glands to act
on food in the
stomach, mouth
and small intestine.
Production of
pancreatic enzymes
is decreased
by stress, caffeine,
alcohol, illness,
pregnancy and
simply with
aging. Therefore,
using them daily
has numerous
benefits, not
only to the
digestive process,
but overall
health.
You
may not think
of them as you
compile your
supplement shopping
list, but enzyme
products can
be a smart choice
for packing
on muscle mass.
Traditionally,
enzymes are
known as a digestive
aid, but studies
have shown that
they also play
an important
role in recovery
from high-intensity
training, making
them a prime
addition to
a bodybuilding
nutritional
program.
Before the protein
and carbohydrates
we eat can be
used for muscle
growth, stored
enzymes must
be released
from the digestive
system. Three
main classes
of enzymes break
down foods:
amylases break
down carbohydrates,
lipases break
down fats and
proteases break
down proteins.
Although these
enzymes are
naturally produced
and stored in
our bodies,
they can also
be obtained
from certain
foods and dietary
supplements.
Bodybuilders
and hardgainers
looking to pack
on mass can
use enzyme supplements
to help their
digestive systems
handle the large
amounts of calories
they need to
consume; the
enzymes help
utilize more
food so those
nutrients can
be put to use
for muscle building. Benefits
of Enzymes for
Active Individuals
Of specific
benefit are
protease enzymes,
as it demonstrated
that a specialized
blend of enzymes
added to a whey
protein drink
dramatically
increased blood
levels of amino
acids over drinking
whey protein
alone. Essentially,
more of the
whey protein
was digested
and absorbed
when the enzyme
supplement was
included with
the drink, allowing
more of the
amino acids
from the whey
protein to enter
the circulation
and be available
to the muscles.
Digestive Enzymes
have also been
shown to decrease
the production
of molecules
that cause inflammation
while increasing
levels of anti-inflammatory
substances.
Excessive inflammation
can delay muscle
recovery and
therefore slow
down muscle
building - by
limiting the
amount of inflammation
that occurs
after an injury,
the regeneration
process can
begin sooner.
It is also possible
that proteases
speed recovery
through their
role in increasing
amino acid absorption,
which would
provide more
available aminos
for rebuilding
damaged muscles
and joints.
This means that
enzyme supplements
may not only
aid recovery
from an injury,
but they may
also help muscles
recover from
intense weight
training.
How to Use
Them
-Be sure to
take enzymes
with food, to
avoid irritation.
-Individuals
with stomach
ulcers should
not take enzymes,
as they could
irritate ulcers.
-Choose a formula
that contains
some or all
of the following
enzymes: trypsin,
chymotrypsin,
pepsin, pancreatic
enzymes, bromelain
and papain.
Bromelain can
also be obtained
from fresh pineapple;
papain from
fresh papaya.
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or the operating
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personnel contributing
to this document
do not assume
any liability,
or no responsibilities,
for any products
results, personal
results, all
information,
directions,
advice, or recommendations
on this document.
As a result
of this document
evaluating,
recommending,
and providing
all information
contained expressed
opinions are
the companies
own opinions,
and the companies
own opinions
only, and are
not meant to
be interpreted
as conclusive.
This document
is sole and
in part to educate
people about
natural supplementation
and helping
create a drug
free environment.
Always consult
a medical doctor,
or get a medical
opinion first,
if you are unsure
about any new
sports nutrition,
exercising,
or any kind
of dietary supplement
use, even though
supplements
are natural
and safe to
use, there have
been few cases
of people getting
some harmful
effects from
different supplements
whether it being
from regular
use, reaction,
misuse, or abuse.
Sport supplementation
should be used
by persons 18
years and older.
The information
on this document
is pending copyright
SupplementsCanada
2006.
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