Digestive Enzyme Articles

Digestive Enzymes Articles

In this section, you will find articles about digestive enzymes, their properties, functions and applications. You can learn about the purpose of specific enzymes and well as get information about evaluating enzyme products. We will cover how to read and interpret labels to understand what you are buying. We’ll also look at digestive problems that can be addressed using digestive enzyme products.

Check the Digestive Enzymes Articles link in the lower right of these pages for links to our current articles.

Zygest

For more information about Zygest, the professional quality digestive enzymes by Physiologics, click here.

Physiologics Discounts & Bonuses

Physiologics is famous for the clinical strength and superior quality of their nutritional supplements. Their products are distributed only through licensed healthcare practitioners. (If you see them at cut-rate prices on an Internet shop – beware. Those are not authorized vendors, and there’s no telling where their stuff is coming from.)

Although rarely available at a discount, you can now order directly from  Physiologics through my clinic’s account, and get 10% off every order with access to their full range of health & nutrition products. When you register to use my Professional ID# (there’s no charge, by the way)You’ll also get:

  • Free shipping on orders over $65
  • Free access to the best database of consumer healthcare information available online. (Once you’ve gone through the free registration at the Physiologics site,  click on the “Health Notes” tab.)
  • Free, one year subscription to the nutrition and supplement magazine Rx Complement, courtesy of my clinic: Ponder Natural Health, with any order.
  • My free nutrition mini-course about vitamins and supplements. I’ll cover topics that:
    • Help you understand the importance of key vitamins & supplements
    • Teach you to read product labels and decipher what you are really buying
    • Give you easy-to-follow health and and nutrition tips.

 

  • No more having to see your doctor to get these professional grade nutritional vitamins, herbs and supplements.
  • No more paying retail prices or running to the vitamin store.
  • Get factory fresh products directly from the manufacturer.
  • Access to the full range of Physiologics health & nutrition products.
  • Stay on top of nutritional news & get the facts with your free magazine subscription.

Wishing you the best of health,

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Braxton Ponder, L.Ac.
Board Certified Herbalist
Licensed Acupuncturist

Ponder Natural Health Clinic
Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Stop Your Digestive Problems with Digestive Enzymes

I’ll bet you’re tired of being miserable after every meal, unable to enjoy the foods you love, and even the ones that are good for you! If you’re suffering from gas and bloating, heartburn, indigestion or acid reflux, you may be lacking sufficient digestive enzymes. The good news is, you can get relief!
My name’s Braxton Ponder. I’m a licensed acupuncturist and board certified herbalist, practicing in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I’m writing this article to introduce you to Zygest digestive enzymes, made by Physiologics. Relief for your digestive problems may easier than you thought possible.

First, let’s briefly define the roll of digestive enzymes. These are chemical molecules, proteins, actually, that help the process of breaking down the foods we eat into a form that the body can process and absorb. Each enzyme has a different function, and works on a specific class of food, such as fats, sugars, or proteins. If we are deficient in one more typeof digestive enzyme, we will have trouble digesting the related type of food.

Some people have problems with all types of fats, for example, whereas others are only intolerant of lactose, the natural sugar found in milk. Normally, we produce the different enzymes at various points along our digestive tract. But as we age, we all tend to see a decrease in that natural production. Many people are constitutionally deficient in certain enzymes, and may have difficulty with certain types of food, like fats and oils or dairy products, even from childhood.

If you’re suffering from a lack of enzymes in your digestive system, leading to abdominal discomfort or pain, bloating or acid reflux, the good news is that it is simple, safe, and affordable to supplement your current enzyme levels. Let’s take a look at a great digestive enzyme supplement from Physiologics.

Physiologics is a top-tier manufacturer of clinical quality vitamins and supplements, sold only through licensed healthcare practioners. This is no fly-by-night newcomer to the business. They have been making quality products for 18 years, and have some of the best quality control and research behind their products, in the industry.

Zygest is Physiologics’ flagship product for supplementing deficient enzymes. This is a comprehensive blend of vegetarian derived enzymes, covering a broad spectrum of needs. It is suitable for most people with related digestive problems due to low enzyme production.

zygest digestive enzymes label

zygest digestive enzymes label

Take a look at the Zygest ingredients label. I’m going to give you a quick mini-course in label reading. You want to know how much of each enzyme is in the bottle. Stay away from those products that say “proprietary blend”. It means they are hiding the actual quantities of ingredients from you, and typically are loading up their formula with whatever is cheapest, and adding just a bit of whatever is expensive or popular.

In the case of enzymes, milligram (mg) measurements are also meaningless. Enzymes have a specific biochemical activity to carry out, and their usefulness is determined by how well they do that process. The result is measured in different activity units for each type of enzyme.

You’ll notice that Zygest lists each included enzyme and gives you the activity unit measurement for each one. I’ll briefly go through the list in case you are unfamiliar with them. Zygest contains a lot bromelain and papain (papaya enzymes), these are both especially good for proteins, and work well with the proteases you also see listed. The protease quantities are relatively low, because most of the protein processing is going to be taken care of by the bromelain and papain.

You’ll also see amylase which helps process sugars, or simple carbohydrates. Lipase breaks down fats or lipids and oils. Lactase breaks down lactose. So if you’re lactose intolerant and have difficulty with dairy foods, this one is your new best friend.

Cellulase and hemicellulase work on cellulose, the tough, difficult-to-digest cellular structure of many plant foods. Unlike cows, we don’t have 7 stomachs or chew our cuds, so we need these enzymes to break down the tough structural parts of plants.

Overall, it’s a very nicely balanced, comprehensive product that does a great job for a wide range of people with multiple enzyme deficiencies. And there’s more good news. Although rarely discounted, I can now offer you the ability to order Zygest online, directly from the manufacturer, with a 10% discount on your entire order. Plus, you’ll also get free shipping on orders of $65 or more. When you place an order of any size, you’ll automatically get signed up for a free one year subscription to Rx Complement – a great quarterly report on health and nutrition, complements of my clinic, Ponder Natural Health. And that’s not all! You’ll also get my mini-course on nutrition and supplements, absolutely free.

All you’ve got to do is sign up using the box on the right side of this page. It’s completely free with no obligation of any kind. When you sign up, I’ll send you my professional ID so you can go right to the Physiologics website, enter my ID number, and you’ll be ready to go. You’ll have full access to the Physiologics website, and you’ll see your discounted prices as you shop. If you decide to make a purchase, you’ll automatically be signed up for your free Rx Complement magazine subscription.

By the way, Physiologics has an excellent drug, herb and supplement database on the site called Health Notes. You’ll see it on the top menu of their website after you sign in. It’s a really great resource with everything from published research, to herb-drug interaction – to recipes and tips on weight loss. It’s all there, and free for you to use at anytime.

Are Digestive Enzymes Suitable for Acid Reflux and GERD?

Are Digestive Enzymes Suitable for Acid Reflux and GERD?

Many people suffering from acid reflux or GERD find that digestive enzymes can be of great benefit for their conditions. Although the enzymes provide no known direct mechanism to affect dysfunction of the valve between the stomach and esophagus, many do report clear reduction of symptoms. Many people combine the enzymes with probiotics. It may be that improving the overall function of the food breakdown and digestive processes not only normalizes acid levels, but in some way affect the valve function as well.

Some people report excellent improvements in as little as a couple of days. Others find that it can take a month to see clear changes and 2-4 months for satisfactory resolution of the symptoms. I’ve seen reports of good results with children as well as adults.

Being consistent, and persistent can pay off with good benefits. It might be best to start with lower levels of enzymes and work up to stronger formulas/doses over the weeks.