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| By Rohit
Medhekar, Ph.D. |
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The enzymes naturally present in food play an important
role in digestion by helping to predigest the ingested food in the upper
stomach before hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) has even been secreted. This
predigestion is hindered when food is cooked or processed because the enzymes
are destroyed by the processing procedures. Placing the full digestive burden
on the body, the body's digestive process can become over-stressed and
incomplete. As a result, vital nutrients may not be released from the food for
assimilation by the body, and gastrointestinal problems may result.
The primary purpose of enzymes in supplement form is to enhance the enzymes
available in raw food, and replace those enzymes lost when food is cooked or
processed. In addition, supplementation enables more digestion to begin in the
gastric region, easing the burden on the digestive system as a whole. The
earlier that digestion can begin, the greater the likelihood that no undigested
food will enter the colon where bacteria can feed upon it, causing such
problems as gas and bloating.
Nearly every pet can benefit from
supplementation with enzymes. Even healthy pets may improve their absorption
and utilization of nutrients through the use of digestive enzymes. Of course,
the benefits will vary, depending upon the individual's diet and general
health. Pets in good health can expect to notice less fullness after meals,
increased energy, faster emptying of the stomach contents, decreased gas, and
more regular bowel habits.
Supplemental enzymes replace the enzymes
once present in raw food. Most enzymes are lost in cooking and processing. Only
raw or uncooked food contains enzymes. Nature put these enzymes in food to aid
in digesting the food pets eat so their body's enzymes would not have to handle
all the work. By using, a supplemental enzyme on your pets food you free up
their body's enzymes. When enzymes are missing from our pets food, the full
burden of digestion falls on the pets own digestive system. Food sits in their
stomach for nearly an hour before their body's digestive enzymes are secreted.
It is during this time that food and supplemental enzymes do their best work
breaking down complex food molecules. During the first 30 to 60 minutes after
eating, enzymes are hard at work, predigesting food long before the stomach
acids render some of them inactive. Enzymes not destroyed in the stomach are
re-activated in the small intestine and continue working to fully digest your
pets food.
Today's typical diet of canned food, baked kibble and
processed treats make it very important to give your pet supplemental enzymes
to relieve some of the body's digestive stress. Since your pet's body will put
a higher priority on digestion than on maintaining health, it will steal
enzymes from the immune system to finish digestion. Taking a supplemental
enzyme can help take stress off not only their digestive organs, but also our
pet's immune system. |
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