Supplements Explained
What is the Explanation for Enzymes?
Enzymes - Dosage 4-6 capsules/day
Enzymes are needed to digest food properly and for a multitude of metabolic functions. They turn the wheels of our body chemistry.
Pancreatic Enzymes:
• Bromelain
• Papain
In MS, there is an increased level of circulating immune complexes. Studies have shown that protein-digesting enzymes, such as pancreatic extracts, bromelain, and papain, are effective in reducing these. There are clinical improvements once the level of these circulating immune complexes is reduced.
Research shows that pancreatic enzyme preparations produce good effects in reducing the severity and frequency of attacks in MS. They particularly helped with visual disturbance, sensory disturbances, and problems with the bladder, bowel and gut. They had little effect on other symptoms such as spasticity, dizziness, or tremor.
Hundreds of MS patients in Mexico and Germany have enzyme treatment. They are given pancreatic enzymes together with unsaturated fatty acids and other supplements. Dr Hector H. Solorzano, Chairman of the Program for Studies of Alternative Medicine at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico, cites the case of a 42 year-old man with MS who was confined to a wheelchair when he first came to see him. After a month of enzyme treatment he had gained sufficient strength to begin to take care of himself. Three months later he began to walk, and after six months he was able to lead a productive life.
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Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes found in raw foods work together with those made in the mouth, stomach and small intestine to make nutrients absorbable. Lack of enzymes leads to malnutrition. If any digestive enzymes are lacking or not working effectively, your body cannot use nutrients from foods.
Enzymes and MS
Enzymes help the food you eat get absorbed properly. Absorption of poorly-digested food can lead to gut inflammation, leaky gut and food allergies that can manifest themselves in a wide variety of symptoms. Food ferments in the gut causing gas, burning and bloating. These incompletely digested foods produce toxins, irritate the intestines, and enter the bloodstream. Over time, this can lead to degenerative and/or autoimrnune diseases. It is common for people with MS to have digestive problems. Poor digestion keeps immune cells tied up in our gut, leaving us defenceless against virus, fungus, yeast, candida, and bacteria. So infections are more likely. Enzymes can also digest a virus's protein code, without which they cannot penetrate cells. Digestive enzymes are present in raw foods, but are destroyed by cooking. If most of your food is cooked, the body has to do twice as much work. Either the enzymes need to be replaced by taking enzyme supplements, or you need to eat more raw foods, or both. Enzymes have no taste. They only become active when wet. You can sprinkle enzymes evenly over your food. They can be added to anything except piping hot foods, which destroy them. They can be taken with water after eating, especially when you have overeaten or feel bloated. You get better results mixing enzymes with food than just swallowing the capsules. You can also take capsules between meals.
How Much Should You Take? It depends on the person. Some do fine on 2 capsules a day; others need 6 or more. Signs of improvement are less gas, less bloating, fewer food sensitivities, allergies and immune problems. Cooked foods need more enzymes because raw foods contain some enzymes already.
The digestive enzymes are. -
• Protease Digests proteins. This is particularly important because proteins are poorly digested and cause most of the problems with gas, bloating and food allergies.
• Amylase Digests starch.
• Glucoamylase Digests the broken-down starch (sugars).
• Lipase Digests fats.
• Cellulase Digests fibre so the body can get the benefits of fruit and vegetables.
• Pectinase with Phytase Also digests fibre.
• Invertase Digests sucrose.
• Lactase Digests milk sugars.
• Maltase--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glutathione PeroxidaseGlutathione Peroxidase is an antioxidant enzyme whose job is to help protect all cells from free radical damage. It seems that people with MS have reduced activity of this enzyme. When free radicals are allowed to run riot, damaging lipid peroxides are formed.
Research
One study reported that supplementation of 18 patients with high doses of selenium, vitamin C and vitamin E for five weeks increased levels of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase fivefold.
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