capsules, moisture, etc.

[Guest guest]

We use cellulose capsules for the enzymes because: 1) gelatin is from animal

sources,

2)the shelf life for the product is increased, loose powder will absorb moisture

from

the air, 3) gelatin is described as a " DPP IV inhibitor " which in application

has no

effect on enzyme function, but so much was made about it 3 years ago, that just

about all enzyme mfgs had to switch. I would love to use gelatin capsules, it

would

save us almost a penny per cap (it does add up). A recent informal poll we did

indicated the population was split about 60/40 in favor of cellulose caps.

Enzymes are proteins, and are eventually broken down by various protease enzymes

found in the human body. However, enzymes are also more resistant than most

non-

enzyme proteins to proteolysis, in general. Also keep in mind that proteases

have

specific proteins which they favor to break down, and denatured proteins are

favored

for breakdown more so than proteins in their active state. Since plant enzymes

are

not denatured by the stomach acid, but keep their globular shape, they are less

likely

to be broken down as quickly as food proteins.

Sprinkling enzymes on your food allows the enzymes to start working on the food

as

soon as the enzyme is dissolved. Enzymes have to be in solution, dissolved in a

liquid in order to have access to the materials they will break down.

Standardized testing of veggie cellulose caps shows that they dissolve almost as

quickly as gelatin caps. You can test for yourself by putting a capsule in your

mouth

and holding it on your tongue, you should feel it getting " slimy " within a

minute or

so. In fact, I just tested this with a No-fenol cap, while moving it with my

tongue, the

cap came apart in less than a minute, probably because the two halves got so

slick it

pulled apart.

You can also loosen the cap by hand prior to taking it, you can punch holes in

the cap

with a needle, anything that lets liquid get to the enzyme powder should speed

up

their dissolution.

Why do enzymes seem to work better for some when no cap is used, or they are

given

20 minutes ahead of a meal? I have no idea, the cap should be dissoved within 5

minutes of taking it, at the most. But the important thing is to find what

works best

for you.

[Guest guest]

> You can also loosen the cap by hand prior to taking it, you can

punch holes in the cap

> with a needle, anything that lets liquid get to the enzyme powder

should speed up

> their dissolution.

Thanks so much for that, Devin. With my son only recently onto

Enzymes and off the GFCF diet I have been quite paranoid about

catching any nasties in time. I have had some success in hiding

Enzymes in his food but, I just know, if I sprinkled them on in front

of him, he would look at me as if I had really lost it and refuse to

let one morsel past his lips!

He swallows capsules beautifully, so I will try your above ideas and

see what happens.

Thank you