Using Enzymes 3 questions. Q&A

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P47 Reply by Parent Posted: 2001-03-23 14:04:02 EST

This research is very interesting. I have always shied away from

digestive enzymes for a few reasons. Although I am just a mom, here

are my thoughts/opinions;

#1. I have heard that if you sprinkle a digestive enzyme on a piece

of meat it will eat the meat. Now I understand stomach acid does the

same thing, but I don't have my child swallow stomach acid. I realize

this is probably an ignorant statement, but one that may be shared by

other parents. Swallowing something that will eat a piece of meat

just doesn't seem right.

#2 Given daily would your body become dependent on a digestive enzyme

to break down other foods as well?

#3 If a strict GFCF diet is followed the need for a daily digestive

enzyme would not be necessary. Only during unintentional infractions.

I think that having a bottle in the house may be good for

unintentional infractions, but I've heard of parents using this

digestive enzyme daily to aid in the intentional ingestion of gluten

and casein. I think there is a lot more to learn on this subject and

I hope you keep us informed.

P48 Reply by Dr. Devin Houston Posted: 2001-03-23 14:43:21 EST

I understand your comments, they have been put to me several times.

This may clarify things:

1) Enzymes as meat tenderizer. Enzymes don't " eat " , they act as

catalysts for chemical reactions. Those that break down proteins (in

meat, e.g.) are called proteolytic enzymes, or proteases. Adolf's

meat tenderizer has papain, a protease from papaya. If you've eaten

uncooked papaya, you've eaten a " digestive " enzyme, same for

pineapple, which has bromelain.

Stomach acid does not digest protein, it contributes to digestion by

activating pancreatic enzymes (chymotrypsinogen to chymotrypsin;

pepsinogen to pepsin, trypsinogen to trypsin). By the way, you have

swallowed acid much stronger than stomach acid if you've ever had a

coke. Stomach acid strength is 0.16 molar, which is actually rather

weak. Though the pH of stomach acid is low, pH is not an indication

of acid strength.

Proteases do not work on the proteins of your body, unless they are

dead cells. Living tissue is not affected, as the body has protease

inhibitors in the stomach and GI mucus as well as the cells lining

our gut. Your pancreas puts out proteases all the time, yet your

intestinal tract is still there!

2)While some studies have shown a decrease in pancreatic output of

enzymes when enzymes are supplemented, it is a small decrease which

reverses rapidly when enzymes are discontinued. Pancreatic enzyme

secretion works by signals, mechanical and chemical, which tell it

food has been eaten. You will not develop a " lazy " pancreas from

taking supplements.

3) Are you certain that gluten and casein are the only foods that

contain proteins that could produce opiate-like peptides when exposed

to pancreatic enzyme digestion? I don't think so, and recent evidence

seems to suggest that soy could do the same. Gluten and casein are

the proteins we know about now.

There are other reasons to take enzymes even if you are completely

peptide-free. Since the GFCF diet is somewhat restrictive in protein

intake, it is essential that any and all protein that one does eat is

sufficiently hydrolyzed to its amino acid units. Food allergies can

result from partially digested proteins escaping a leaky or inflamed

gut, if proteins are adequately hydrolyzed, then you minimize the

chance of producing additional allergies. Papain and some other

proteases have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, which may

result in healing of gut tissues.

Enzymes have been used for decades as oral supplements as digestive

aids. They are considered safe by the FDA, and I personally know

people who have taken enzyme for most of their lives and are very

healthy. Enzymatic reactions are specific. We know what they do and

don't do. If the substrate for an enzyme is not present, then the

enzyme does nothing.

The only other thing I can tell you is that I am a scientist, and

also a father. I give my child enzymes. I would never give my child,

or any other person, something if I had the slightest opinion that

damage would occur. The science for enzyme action is very well

characterized; this is not an " unknown " , unlike many of the

prescription drugs or other " natural " products on the market.