October 22, 2015
Should You Be Taking a Digestive Enzyme?
Ever since I was a child, I've always had digestive issues. Well, just one issue -- irregularity. To put it boldly, constipation. All those close to me know I was the constantly constipated one. It was a running joke, a facet of my personality, a part of my being. Any day where I had a good movement was a cause for celebration. My partner even got me a shirt, with stick figure jumping for joy and "I pooped today!" boldly marked. And, naturally, the shirt was brown. He gave it to me shortly after I was hospitalized for the condition, after not going for about a week.
I'd spoken to many doctors about it and they generally gave the same advice: eat more fibre and drink more water, without knowing I was already the master at doing both those things. Some doctor's even said some people were slower like that, and I had a lazy bowel. I'd come to accept it as part of my life.
Then I discovered probiotics. It really helped. I still wasn't as regular as most, but I was 100% better than I used to be.
Last week I finally found the complete solution: digestive enzymes.
I'd heard about them before, of course. Many folks in the health and fitness community were batty about them. But I was still in this zone of being suspicious of many supplements -- and I still am. It seems all too frequently a new disorder comes to the forefront, but with it, conveniently, a supplement or medication to cure it. Our ancestors didn't take digestive enzymes, so why should I need to?
The more I look at it, the more I see we live nothing like our ancestors did. Most of us rely on processed, convenitally raised or grown food (non-organic), and are exposed to all sorts of chemicals, and medications. Couple this with our high-stress lifestyle no wonder we have so many dysfunctions.
Most people are overly hung up on losing weight and getting in shape and often over-look the importance of good gut health. But again, it's something I'm realising is such an important corner-stone for overall health. It's thought that about 1/2 the population of North America, have digestive problems. These intestinal issues are just the beginning of what may lead to other chronic illnesses. Diabetes, obesity, arthritis, autism, depression, allergies, autoimmune disease, eczema, acne, dementia, chronic fatigue and cancer are all issues that come from having an unhealthy gut. (Decreased enzyme levels are also found in many of these illnesses.)
You may not have an obvious gut imbalance (such as constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, cramps or gas) but I think everyone could use a helping hand in better digesting their food. Digestive enzymes facilitate the chemical breakdown of food into smaller, absorbable components to fuel our bodies. And wouldn't you prefer to absorb more nutrients, to pooping the good stuff out? Taking a digestive aid is like hiring more workers to complete a very big job.
Your natural levels of enzymes decrease with age and some medications.
Some people with food sensitivities even report being better able to process their tolerances with a digestive enzyme. The gluten-sensitive can suddenly enjoy bread and pasta without bloat and the lactose-intolerant a milkshake without farting.
And the chronically constipated can enjoy the wonders of going every day.
[caption id="attachment_1281" align="aligncenter" width="525"]
Me each morning, now, checking the 'gram.[/caption]
Is it time you considered taking a digestive enzyme?
Do you follow us on Instagram?
[caption id="attachment_114498" align="alignnone" width="100"]
@BodyRockTV[/caption]
I'd heard about them before, of course. Many folks in the health and fitness community were batty about them. But I was still in this zone of being suspicious of many supplements -- and I still am. It seems all too frequently a new disorder comes to the forefront, but with it, conveniently, a supplement or medication to cure it. Our ancestors didn't take digestive enzymes, so why should I need to?
The more I look at it, the more I see we live nothing like our ancestors did. Most of us rely on processed, convenitally raised or grown food (non-organic), and are exposed to all sorts of chemicals, and medications. Couple this with our high-stress lifestyle no wonder we have so many dysfunctions.
Most people are overly hung up on losing weight and getting in shape and often over-look the importance of good gut health. But again, it's something I'm realising is such an important corner-stone for overall health. It's thought that about 1/2 the population of North America, have digestive problems. These intestinal issues are just the beginning of what may lead to other chronic illnesses. Diabetes, obesity, arthritis, autism, depression, allergies, autoimmune disease, eczema, acne, dementia, chronic fatigue and cancer are all issues that come from having an unhealthy gut. (Decreased enzyme levels are also found in many of these illnesses.)
You may not have an obvious gut imbalance (such as constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, cramps or gas) but I think everyone could use a helping hand in better digesting their food. Digestive enzymes facilitate the chemical breakdown of food into smaller, absorbable components to fuel our bodies. And wouldn't you prefer to absorb more nutrients, to pooping the good stuff out? Taking a digestive aid is like hiring more workers to complete a very big job.
Your natural levels of enzymes decrease with age and some medications.
Some people with food sensitivities even report being better able to process their tolerances with a digestive enzyme. The gluten-sensitive can suddenly enjoy bread and pasta without bloat and the lactose-intolerant a milkshake without farting.
And the chronically constipated can enjoy the wonders of going every day.
[caption id="attachment_1281" align="aligncenter" width="525"]
Me each morning, now, checking the 'gram.[/caption]
Is it time you considered taking a digestive enzyme?
Do you follow us on Instagram?
[caption id="attachment_114498" align="alignnone" width="100"]
@BodyRockTV[/caption]