Plants are one of the main sources used for biologically active enzyme production.

1. What are enzymes?
Enzymes are proteins made by cells in our body and in all living organisms. They are specialized proteins that do the work, such as synthesizing chemicals, rearranging molecules, adding elements to compounds and breaking down compounds.

Enzymes are protein catalysts. They cause biological reactions that occur under specific conditions that sustain life. There are many types of enzymes and each has a specific function.

For a good enzyme effect, certain starting materials are required. If this material is not available, the enzyme can not perform a function. There are also common metabolic enzymes in our body, but in this study we limit ourselves to the digestive enzymes.

2 How do enzymes work?
Usually enzymes act as catalysts of biological reactions. A catalyst accelerates or increases the rate of reaction. The thousands of chemical reactions that take place every second in our body can not happen without enzymes that accelerate these reactions. For example, a protein can be degraded to amino acids in the laboratory without the use of an enzyme, but extreme temperatures, high pressure and strong acids are required, phenomena that are incompatible with life. Even with these conditions, it often takes hours for complete response in the lab. Enzymes, in this case a complex of proteases, can complete this reaction in water within a few minutes at normal temperatures.

Another unique aspect of enzymes is that they facilitate the reaction without being destroyed or altered in the process. As a result, one enzyme molecule could in principle endlessly change an infinite amount of substrate. Increasing the number of enzymes reduces the time required for the completion of the process. By doubling the number of enzyme molecules, the time for the reaction decreases by half.

3 Where do enzymes come from and where do they go?
Enzymes are mainly in raw food. All raw foods, including meat, have enzyme activity. For example, green bananas contain amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch in glucose. In a few days, amylase converts the raw starch into sugar, which is why ripe bananas taste so much sweeter. Kiwis have an abundance of protease known as actinidaine, which makes it impossible to make confection with fresh kiwis or fresh pineapples. This protease breaks the protein into gelatin so that it can not "stiffen" or shape.

Cooking or other forms of processing destroy the enzyme activity. This is the basis for the "tanning" of vegetables - the heat destroys the enzymes, thus making the food longer lasting. Nutritional enzymes survive the stomach pH, ​​thus contributing to the digestion of food in the stomach. Animals, including humans, produce the enzymes they need from amino acids.

The more raw foods you eat, the less digestive enzymes your body needs to produce. You can also take enzyme supplements derived from animals, plants or microorganisms. Your body can recycle digestive enzymes from any source until they are exhausted. Enzymes in our circulation perform many other tasks that help restore and maintain health. Eventually, when these enzymes are worn, other enzymes break them off and the body uses the building blocks of the amino acids for other purposes. They can also be excreted.

4 Why would you like an enzyme product as a dietary or dietary supplement?
Proper and complete digestion is essential for good health. Digestive enzymes have a very beneficial effect for those who consume much cooked or processed food. Enzymes can alleviate a bloated feeling, gas and gravity. Proteases may be beneficial between meals if you are suffering from an autoimmune disease or recovering from an injury or disease.

Enzyme-based products are one of the least-used dietary agents, despite the fact that their use has been thousands of years old. Many manufacturers avoid the use of enzyme products because their mechanism of action is complex and requires specific scientific knowledge and expertise

5 Why take an enzyme supplement if you can only eat raw foods?
It is possible, only a diet of raw food is difficult to keep. The eating of raw meat, with the risk of bacterial toxins, is not ideal as a source of food enzymes. The amount of enzymes present in raw foods is not always sufficient and, in addition, it may take many hours to digest that food. Enzyme supplements are a concentrated form of nutritional enzymes that you can add to any diet, so food degradation will take place at a faster pace.

6 Are orally consumed enzymes destroyed by the acid of the stomach or the body-like enzymes?
Some oral enzymes, including those from animal pancreas extracts, become inactive due to the low pH of the stomach acid. Microbial enzymes are acid-resistant, and can maintain at a pH activity of 2.0 to 10.0. Microorganisms use their enzymes to degrade and digest the plant material on which they grow. Fungi have evolved enzyme systems that allow the plants to grow under varying conditions, including differences in pH and temperature. Pancreatic enzymes work under a much narrower range of pH in animals, as their environment is more controlled.

In many cases, manufacturers offer coated pancreatic enzymes to resist acidity. Some of these coatings contain unhealthy ingredients.

7 Can proteases be dangerous?
These enzymes, properly used, do not endanger the consumer. The biggest problem with enzymes is the inhalation of large quantities of enzyme drug by people who work a lot with enzymes, or getting large amounts on one's skin, as in production facilities. In either case, the enzymes may cause irritation, itching and discomfort. There is seldom a problem with intestinal digestion.

8 Are enzymes aggressive to the mouth, stomach or intestines?
Most proteins, in their healthy state, are rolled and spherical in structure. This prevents the enzymes from accessing places where they can be cleaved. Upon heating or at extreme pH values, such as the stomach acid, the proteins dislodge, allowing the enzyme to bind and or cleave.

The cells of the body and mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract also contain protease inhibitors that inactivate certain proteases. The mucus or mucus layer acts as a physical barrier to the proteolytic activity on living cells. The pancreas exposes your small intestine to a barrier of enzymes every time you eat, and the enzymes do not break the intestine.

If enzyme remains on the lips or gums for a longer period of time, it can break some of the layers of dead cells covering the mouth and throat (the whitish colored layer). When the fresh, rough layer of tissue comes into contact with saliva, the person may feel mild irritation.

If you open a capsule to mix it with the food, make sure you can then drink something to rinse all enzyme residues. Because amylase is in the saliva, enzymes are always present in your mouth.

9 Can someone be dependent on oral enzymes? Will the pancreatic action stop if you take enzymes for a long time?
No. Animal research has shown that the pancreas adapts; intake of oral enzymes resulted in a slight decrease in pancreatic enzyme production that rapidly resumed to normal as soon as supplementation with enzymes stopped. The pancreas does not stop functioning.

10 My child has never taken any enzyme supplements. What response can I expect?
Reactions of enzymes may vary. If your child is not on a casein-free or gluten-free diet, the use of enzymes that break down casein or gluten may have a less beneficial effect. The child may feel sick for a few days. This is due to the decrease of peptides in his or her body. Symptoms such as hyperactivity may occur, which include a higher sensitivity to pain and stimulus, aggression and sleep disorders. In addition, you will notice changes in digestion, such as faster stools, but no diarrhea, less feces and a possible increase in gas production. All of these phenomena are temporary and must be resolved in a few days. An increase of pee and thirst can also occur.

11 How long are these symptoms?
It is possible that there are no adjustment symptoms at all, if symptoms occur, they usually return after a week. According to most people, the symptoms are very mild, manageable and end the third week. In some cases, symptoms may take longer.

12 What dosage is appropriate?
The dose is determined by the amount and type of food that is eaten and does not depend on the age or weight. It is recommended to start with a minimal dose. Then you can increase the dose to a full capsule and only after that you can start with other enzyme preparations in the same way.

There is no highest limit for the dose of enzymes recorded and oral enzymes are not toxic. How many capsules or tablets you need to take depends on the specific formula and individual needs.

Interval dosage is most appropriate for people who are prone to many snacks. To know which dosage is most appropriate for yourself or their children, you can experiment yourself (with a degree!).

13 When is it advisable to take enzymes?
Preferably at the first meal or just before dinner. If you missed the enzymes, you can take the enzymes during the meal and even at the end of the meal. Important to know that enzymes work by direct contact with food. Food stays in the stomach for up to 90 minutes, therefore the intake of enzymes will continue to work during the meal. In plant enzymes, some people see much better results when they wait 20 to 30 minutes after swallowing enzymes before eating. Apparently it takes longer before the vegetable capsule dissolves in the stomach environment. Waiting for food gives time to release the capsule in the stomach and the enzymes can be released.

14 My child does not want to swallow capsules. Can I spread the enzymes on her food?
Yes. The enzymes will mix with food or drink. Pull the capsule and sprinkle them over the food. If you use a capsule partially, you can click the capsule back together and use the rest later. The taste and flavor of enzyme products often vary and you can mask with fruit juice, ketchup, etc. Other products have no taste or smell at all. Be careful not to inhale the enzyme powder. Any remaining enzyme powder will rinse you out of the mouth and throat area. Make sure your child wipes off after the
intake of enzymes.

15 My child took an enzyme and did not eat it afterwards. Is this harmful?
No, if no food is present, the enzymes will not do anything. Because enzymes are proteins, the body will ultimately process the enzymes as other nutritional proteins. In enzyme therapy, many people take high doses of enzyme products on an empty stomach. This usually happens when treating various conditions.

16 How can I give the enzymes with my child's lunch?
You can mix the enzymes in a cold drink in a thermos bottle and add ice cubes. The colder, or even frozen, that you hold enzymes, the longer they keep. This is important to know because enzymes are activated, and their action begins to lose once they are in a liquid solution. Processing enzymes in chocolate waffles is another popular idea.

17 How can enzyme supplements help with autism, other pervasive developmental disorders and neurological disorders?
An extensive nerve network, the enteric nervous system, runs along the entire gastrointestinal tract. Thus, digestive enzymes in this gastrointestinal tract directly affect the nervous system. The bulk of the immune system is in the intestinal mucosa. In normal operation of the immune system, any unwanted elements can not end up in the body. Many people with neurological abnormalities also have digestive problems, lean bowel, bowel inflammation, yeast overgrowth, or other problems that lead to insufficiently digested food and poor admission. Some children with autistic behavioral problems benefit from the omission of certain foods. The use of enzymes causes breakdown of nutrients so that they can not trigger further problems or an immune response. At the same time, they also help to cure gastrointestinal problems.

18 What makes casein / gluten degradation enzymes so special?
These enzymes contain a unique blend of proteases and peptidases directed to specific peptides that are difficult to degrade. Research confirms that the synergistic effect of these specific proteases is particularly effective in the degradation of casein and other protein compounds. Peptizyde was the first known product in this category in which casein and gluten intolerant individuals benefited. GlutenEase is the most recent and sophisticated product in this category, allowing more people to re-digest gluten and casein.

19 Can I use enzymes instead of a restrictive diet?
Most people can reintroduce the foods they were allergic to in their diet. This must be done on a case-by-case basis. Particularly problematic foods are nuts, seeds and other allergenic products. Enzymes can complement any type of diet, and improve in most cases. Enzymes are specific to the food they break, so you need to combine the right enzymes with the right foods. Many people experience that when they use certain enzymes they are free of dietary restrictions. With enzymes you can reach much more than with a limiting diet.

20 Is enzyme therapy similar to a gluten and casein-free diet?
One is wondering if enzyme therapy can replace a casein and gluten-free diet. If this is your goal, you must find the right casein and gluten-converting enzymes that are specific for this purpose. Many parents are successful using casein / gluten-digesting enzymes as an alternative to a casein-free, gluten-free diet. They took a significant improvement with their children in terms of the restrictive diet. Supplement of the limiting diet with enzymes helps to inhibit the production of harmful peptides, improve digestion and make nutrients faster and better available.

21 If my child is already following a restrictive diet, do I need extra enzymes?
A number of restrictive diets have been found that are useful in various subgroups of autism, nervous disorders and digestive problems - the Feingold diet, yeast-free diet, specific carbohydrate diet, gluten and casein-free diet, protein-rich and low-carb diet, and others. Because enzymes facilitate food digestion and absorption, they can be very helpful in these diets.

The mechanism of many problematic nutrients is not completely clear. Thus, sources of peptide production, such as normal red blood cell demolition, yeast and bacteria (good and bad) can contribute to peptide load from the body. Sometimes the sources of carbohydrates or sugars are not known at all or there is a colon cleavage. These are the root causes why some people do not see improvement with certain restrictive diets, but with enzymes.
Enzymes work very well in addition to a diet and thus makes this diet more effective than it would be otherwise. Many diets are based on certain foods that are not digested, so enzymes are a natural solution.
The degradation of artificially produced chemicals or added chemicals by digestive enzymes is somewhat limited at this time. These non-food ingredients, however, do not provide nutrients, can impair a sensitive system, and may hamper health in the longer term. Enzymes can not convert non-nutritious compounds into healthy nutrients. Providing nutritious raw materials is and remains necessary. Enzymes can sometimes improve the absorption and use of any supplements or medications, making them more effective.

22 Do I need permission from my doctor?
Although enzymes are considered safe and they do not require the approval of a physician, it is advisable to consult your doctor. Many supplements or diets affect the nervous system. Some supplements are not safe in larger quantities. A medical professional can be appointed for guidance. Although enzymes rarely constitute a problem in themselves, interactions are possible with other herbs, vitamins, or drugs. Most doctors do not have much training in nutrition and may refer you to a nutritionist. Most doctors consider enzymes safe, like water or fresh fruit.

23 What should I know?
Many people can significantly reduce the cost of food, dietary supplements, medical bills and therapies through digestive enzymes. Many families are able to improve the quality of life of their children. All age groups show improvements, although the results for each specific individual may vary widely.
Enzymes have been used for many years in food allergy, lean gut, yeast problems and in support of the immune system. Enzymes help calm the nervous system and the immune system, reduce the load and reduce hypersensitivity.
These well-founded benefits probably explain the overwhelming success and wide range of improvement in conditions such as digestive disorders, chronic fatigue, AD (H) D, asthma, fibromyalgia, sensory issues, migraine, allergies.