When it comes to a health-supporting diet, it’s not just about what you eat. It’s about what you absorb. If you’re not efficiently breaking down the foods you eat, it can’t be used to support health, help you heal, or produce energy.
We don’t just absorb the chewed food we swallow. It must be broken down into its individual molecular components. Chewing is the first mechanical step in this process, which stimulates the mouth to release some enzymes to start enzymatic digestion.
Once in the stomach, a select few enzymes, along with a low pH, break apart weak chemical bonds (the quaternary structure) in food, and the stomach contracts to mix the food and break it down further. This process liquifies the food, preparing it for descent into the small intestines.
Even after the food is liquified and it enters the small intestines, it’s still not ready for absorption. At least 13 enzymes of 3 different classes are released by the pancreas to further break down food. The small intestines also release another 12 enzymes.1
Each molecular component of food must pass through a receptor “door” specific to its chemical structure (with the exception of certain receptors that can bring in multiple molecules that are structurally similar).
The macronutrients that we know of as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are larger configurations (tertiary and secondary structures) of smaller molecular building blocks (primary structures). For example, a protein’s primary structural components are the amino acids. They are held together by molecular bonds to form secondary and tertiary structures. Whole foods consisting of proteins, carbs, and fats are in the quaternary structure.
Digestive enzymes and acidity are the only means by which we can break apart these bonds. Chewing and contractions of the stomach alone aren’t able to accomplish this. When food is not broken down to its primary structure, it can’t pass through the receptors responsible for absorbing the nutrients we need.1
If you’re lactose intolerant, you’ve experienced the pain and issues that result in inadequate enzyme production due to the lack of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in dairy. Lactose remains in it’s larger structural configurations and is fermented by bacteria in the gut.
Several conditions cause impaired enzyme production. They include:2
This can lead to ulcers, degrade gut health, protection, and absorption, and impair digestive functions.3 When the mucosa is threatened, the body downregulates pancreatic enzyme production as a protective mechanism.4
This results in an inadequate supply of the vital nutrients needed to heal. Taking digestive enzymes helps to initiate and enhance this vital first step that provides the body with the nutrients it needs to heal.
One of the most beneficial first-line treatments for these disorders is digestive enzyme supplementation.12 A meta-analysis concluded that enzyme replacement therapy improved fat and nitrogen (protein) absorption, stool fat and nitrogen excretion, and stool weight for patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.13
Based on the research, it’s clear that digestive enzyme supplementation has utility for overall gut health and support. And because adequate nutrition status is a foundational aspect of the healing process, digestive enzyme therapy is a compelling first-line approach for generalized gut healing.
Formula IQs Digest IQ consists of a full-spectrum blend of naturally derived digestive enzymes. We use a microbial fermentation process using specific foods that the enzymes target for digestion. The enzymes are produced by microbes during fermentation and then extracted, leaving only the enzymes. Our Formula consists of 18 different enzymes to help ensure full and adequate digestion of nutrients and, thus, enhanced nutrient availability for absorption.
Citations:
We don’t just absorb the chewed food we swallow. It must be broken down into its individual molecular components. Chewing is the first mechanical step in this process, which stimulates the mouth to release some enzymes to start enzymatic digestion.
Once in the stomach, a select few enzymes, along with a low pH, break apart weak chemical bonds (the quaternary structure) in food, and the stomach contracts to mix the food and break it down further. This process liquifies the food, preparing it for descent into the small intestines.
Even after the food is liquified and it enters the small intestines, it’s still not ready for absorption. At least 13 enzymes of 3 different classes are released by the pancreas to further break down food. The small intestines also release another 12 enzymes.1
The Critical Role of Enzymes
Enzymes play a vital role in whole-body nourishment. Without them, we would not be able to extract nutrients from the food we eat and fuel energy metabolism.Each molecular component of food must pass through a receptor “door” specific to its chemical structure (with the exception of certain receptors that can bring in multiple molecules that are structurally similar).
The macronutrients that we know of as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are larger configurations (tertiary and secondary structures) of smaller molecular building blocks (primary structures). For example, a protein’s primary structural components are the amino acids. They are held together by molecular bonds to form secondary and tertiary structures. Whole foods consisting of proteins, carbs, and fats are in the quaternary structure.
Digestive enzymes and acidity are the only means by which we can break apart these bonds. Chewing and contractions of the stomach alone aren’t able to accomplish this. When food is not broken down to its primary structure, it can’t pass through the receptors responsible for absorbing the nutrients we need.1
If you’re lactose intolerant, you’ve experienced the pain and issues that result in inadequate enzyme production due to the lack of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in dairy. Lactose remains in it’s larger structural configurations and is fermented by bacteria in the gut.
Why We Need Exogenous Enzyme Support
If our body has a solid system in place for handling the digestion of our food, why would we need to take digestive enzymes as a supplement?Several conditions cause impaired enzyme production. They include:2
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (resulting from various issues with the pancreas)
- Cystic fibrosis
- IBS/IBD
- Celiac disease
- Diabetes
- Microbiome imbalances
- Age
This can lead to ulcers, degrade gut health, protection, and absorption, and impair digestive functions.3 When the mucosa is threatened, the body downregulates pancreatic enzyme production as a protective mechanism.4
This results in an inadequate supply of the vital nutrients needed to heal. Taking digestive enzymes helps to initiate and enhance this vital first step that provides the body with the nutrients it needs to heal.
Science Supports Digestive Enzyme Use
Studies show that digestive enzyme supplementation has been transformative in myriad gastrointestinal diseases and imbalances.5 Some of the most beneficial impacts of digestive enzymes have been observed in the disorders outlined below.IBS and IBD
Several studies have been conducted on various single digestive enzymes in IBS with beneficial results, suggesting that combination enzyme therapy may be useful for improving IBS symptoms.6, 7, 8, 9Microbiome Health
Adequate digestion of nutrients not only nourishes our body, it is also required to support our gut microbes. Gut microbes assist in digesting food components that we don’t make the enzymes to digest.10 Exogenous digestive enzymes support our microbes, which supports our endogenous enzyme production.Malabsorption Syndrome
This imbalance can occur as a result of several different mechanisms. Some of these include issues with accessory digestive organs like the pancreas and gallbladder. Other causes are more specific to genes, structural integrity, and nutrient imbalances.11 Despite the cause, the outcome is mostly universal; there is inadequate enzyme production, thus inadequate nutrient absorption.One of the most beneficial first-line treatments for these disorders is digestive enzyme supplementation.12 A meta-analysis concluded that enzyme replacement therapy improved fat and nitrogen (protein) absorption, stool fat and nitrogen excretion, and stool weight for patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.13
General GI Distress
A review of studies on post-prandial gastrointestinal distress over the last 60 years also found that digestive enzymes are useful for non-specific GI distress with unknown etiology (diarrhea, bloating, cramps, abdominal pain, etc.).14Based on the research, it’s clear that digestive enzyme supplementation has utility for overall gut health and support. And because adequate nutrition status is a foundational aspect of the healing process, digestive enzyme therapy is a compelling first-line approach for generalized gut healing.
Formula IQs Digest IQ consists of a full-spectrum blend of naturally derived digestive enzymes. We use a microbial fermentation process using specific foods that the enzymes target for digestion. The enzymes are produced by microbes during fermentation and then extracted, leaving only the enzymes. Our Formula consists of 18 different enzymes to help ensure full and adequate digestion of nutrients and, thus, enhanced nutrient availability for absorption.
Citations:
- Gropper, Sareen, Jack Smith, and Timothy Carr. 2018. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. 7th ed. Australia: Cengage Learning.
