Probiotics, enzymes and other natural remedies support healthy digestion.

It is time to care for your gastrointestinal tract (GI) in a new light.

Below are some supplements and changes you can make in promoting a healthy GI tract or you may refer to it as your gut.

How Important are Enzymes

For overall digestive health try supplementing with enzyme supplements that combine these three major enzymes: proteases, lipases and amylases.

Enzyme products that contain the most variety are best. Since different enzymes perform different functions, it is important to find supplements that combine the job of all three types.

A supplement providing all of these strains must contain betaine, amylase, protease, lipase, pineapple powder, pepsin, bromelain, bile extract and maltase.

Understand Strains

Lactobacilli stains of enzymes assist in the processing of bile acids to digest food and nutrients and produce B Vitamins and enzymes in the small intestines that help digestion and absorb food.

Amylase is known as a starch blocker. The amylase, found in a good enzyme supplement will inhibit starch production, which may in turn, help with maintaining a healthy body weight.

Protease is a useful digestive enzyme that will help the stomach to break down protein easily in order to facilitate the absorption of nutrients.

Protease is found in papayas or enzyme supplements and will assist in dissolving fats and softening the texture of the skin, and is hence found in various beauty products.

Fats, such as the fats in milk, need to be digested by your body. They are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol by an enzyme called lipase.

The stomach lining secretes lipase, and it contains a pH value for the highest activity around neutrality, therefore, it is essentially inactive in the strongly acid environment of the stomach.

Lipase digestion in the adult occurs in the upper loop of the small intestine and is accomplished by a lipase secreted by the pancreas.

Lipase is more important for infant digestion since the gastric pH in an infant is much less acid than later in life.

However, some adults may tend to be low in gastric acid and bariatric surgeries can upset this important balance, too.

Health Problems Associated with Improper Digestion

When your stomach is not functioning properly due to lack of enzyme activity, you will notice various symptoms.

Check with your doctor since many of these symptoms can be of another serious natures.

•Gas

•Bloating

•Excessive Gas Expulsion

•Excessive Burping

•Constipation

•Loose and Foul Smelling Stools

•Lack of Energy

•Full Feeling after Eating Very Little Food

Adding more fiber to your diet and taking enzymes in supplement form can alleviate many or all of these symptoms.

Fibers

No, we are not talking about the fibers in your carpet or clothing. We are going to list some important fiber sources, you may have forgotten.

We all know about bran cereals and whole grains, but did you know which fruits and vegetables contain the highest sources of fiber?

Try these fruits for high fiber content:

•Apples

•Avocado

•Bananas

•Berries -- Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, etc.

•Dried Fruits -- Figs, Raisins, Apricots, Dates, etc.

•Guava

•Kiwi

•Orange

•Pears

•Prunes

Vegetables are a good source of fiber, too.

Try these:

•Avocado

•Beans

•Broccoli

•Brussels sprouts

•Cabbage

•Carrot

•Chick Peas/Garbanzo Beans

•Eggplant

•Greens -- collards, kale, turnip greens

•Lima beans

•Mushrooms

•Potato with skin

•Pumpkin, canned

You can drink liquids that contain high fiber. Many are available in powder forms to be mixed with fruit juices, water or milk.

As with any vitamin or supplement, please consult your doctor before taking. Author Beverly Terhune speaks from 35 years of living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and shares her experience, strength & hope on how to lead a healthy, substance-free life.

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