Striving4Zen

Probiotic strains differ in many ways:

Acid and bile resistance

Many probiotics are not able to survive the acid in the stomach and bile in the small intestine to reach the desired location in the gut (in some cases, fewer than 25% can make it through) – look for acid and bile resistant probiotics.

Colonizers vs. transients

Many probiotics are not able to colonize in the gut, they provide health benefits only on their way through the gut. Colonizers multiply and continue to provide benefits when they reach their destination. This is one of the reasons that some probiotics start with very large numbers of bacteria (often less than 25% even make it to the gut) and then the benefits are very transient. Colonizers can multiply from 100 to 200-fold so 5 billion will become 500 billion or more.

Production of enzymes

Some probiotics are able to produce enzymes that aid in digestion – proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulase and lactase. Natural production of digestive enzymes declines with age so it helps to have the microflora produce additional enzymes.

Production of vitamins

Some probiotics are able to produce vitamins to help the user meet nutritional needs. This is particularly important with vitamin B12 since we lose the ability to absorb B12 as we age.

Production of natural antibiotics

Some probiotics can produce other helpful substances like bacteriocins that reduce numbers of harmful bacteria (one example is acidophilin produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1). Certain strains (like DDS-1) can produce hydrogen peroxide that helps to reduce Candida albicans (responsible for yeast overgrowth).

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Labels: bacteria, digestion, digestive enzymes, healthy eating, Holistic Health, nutritional information, Probiotics, vitamin B12

Ayurvedic medicine is designed to restore body balance so the body can heal itself without dependence on pills or powders. In Ayurveda there is a classic remedy for the digestive process called Trikatu. Trikatu actually resets the ability for you to digest your own food rather then do the digesting for you. It is a simple combination of Ginger, Black Pepper and Long Pepper:

• Ginger is perhaps one of the worlds finest digestive aids that won't overheat the digestive process.
• Black Pepper stimulates the flow of your own digestive enzymes.
• Long Pepper helps to strengthen the digestion and break down hard to digest foods - and like ginger it won't overheat the digestive process.

Trikatu can restore normal and healthy digestive function for a patient who has poor digestion (ie. gas, bloating, heavy stomach, indigestion, constipation and abdominal pain) and then steadily wean off it.

Please Note: If you have a tendency towards heart burn or acid reflux, you may benefit more from the herbal formula Cool Digest, which also strengthens digestion but cools cools acidity and heat in the upper digestive tract.

While there is a time and place for digestive enzymes as a medicine for short term use to help your digestion in an emergency, long term use is just not in your best interest. Regular use of digestive enzymes weakens your digestion because your body no longer has to do the work itself and you will then become dependent on them. It's similar to exercise - if you stop exercising you start to atrophy and become weak.

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Labels: ayurveda, digestion, digestive enzymes, ginger, herbs, pepper, Trikatu, zymes

Your body's enzyme production drops off after you hit age 30, foods high in fat and carbohydrates become more difficult to digest — potentially leaving you with bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.

Taking enzyme supplements regularly (or eating enzyme-rich foods like pineapple) helps break down foods so that nutrients can be absorbed. They can also help ease symptoms of lactose or gluten intolerance. Never take enzymes, though, if you have open stomach ulcers — the results can be painful.

When buying supplements for digestion, look for plant-based products that combine several enzymes — they are more likely to work across the gastrointestinal tracts' broad range of pH levels. And be sure to take the pills with food; try them with two meals a day for at least three months; after that, you may be able to go with your gut and cut back.

Look for combos of the following enzymes:

ENZYME	HELPS DIGEST
Amylase	→ Starch
Cellulase	→ Cellulose from plant foods
Lipase	→ Fats
Lactase	→ Lactose in dairy
Phytase	→ Grains and legumes
Protease (bromelain)	→ Protein
Sucrase and maltase	→ Complex sugars

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Labels: bloating, digestion, digestive enzymes, eating healthy, enzymes, living holistically, supplements