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Enzyme Supplements for Digestion and Health

Friday, September 4, 2009 3:22:00 PM Posted by Food Supplement

Enzymes are the workers in your body that help digest your food, regulate your organ function, fight viruses and bacteria and repair cellular damage.
In an interview with enzyme expert Dr. Edward Howell in his book Enzyme Nutrition, he describes the effects of depleting your body’s enzyme bank as, "...one of the paramount causes of premature aging and early death. Dr. Howell continues, "To begin with, if the body is overburdened [in supplying] enzymes to the saliva, gastric juice, pancreatic juice and intestinal juice, then it must curtail the production of enzymes for other purposes. According to Dr. Howell, "This ‘stealing’ of enzymes from other parts of the body to service the digestive tract sets up a competition for enzymes among the various organ systems and tissues of the body. The resulting metabolic dislocations may be the direct cause of cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and many other chronic incurable disease."

Enzymes are the workers in your body that help digest your food, regulate your organ function, fight viruses and bacteria and repair cellular damage. And when you research the most highly regarded digestive enzyme and probiotic (friendly intestinal bacteria) formulators in the world, Michael O’Brien always ranks at the top of the list.
Your body is not designed to deplete its own enzyme stores to digest your food. In a perfect world, the food contains most of the enzymes necessary for digestion. Unfortunately, due to processing, cooking, contamination, etc. most of the enzymes in food are destroyed. So your body is forced to pull enzymes from other areas, like your organs, to promote digestion.
The longer it takes for an enzyme to breakdown the nutrients in your food, the more enzymes will be pulled away from other metabolic functions in your system.
That's why it makes sense to upgrade your diet to include plenty of raw fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts and grains. And supplement with vibrant, electrically active enzyme supplements like our favorite here: enzyme supplement

Three Top Herbs Used in Menopause
In many industrialized countries, menopause can be a time of great discomfort and stress. The symptoms American women may experience include hot flashes, mood swings, irregular bleeding, memory problems, decreased sexual interest and other changes that effect the enjoyment of sex. Although dietary habits and amount of activity a woman engages in can decrease many of these problems, genetics and previous health can also play a role in how severe the symptoms can be for a woman.

Multiple studies today indicate that taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may not be as safe as previously believed. As just one example, in July, 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative Study published results that demonstrated that the risks of HRT outweighed the benefits. Now more and more women entering menopause are considering ‘natural’ solutions to resolving uncomfortable symptoms of this life transition.

There are three particular herbs of interest when entering menopause. They include Black Cohosh, Chaste Tree Berry and Red Clover.

Black Cohosh
Black Cohosh is also known as Black Snakeroot, Bugwort, Rattleweed, Snakeroot, among other names. Black Cohosh was first used medicinally by Native Americans who introduced it to European colonists. Do not confuse black Cohosh with two unrelated plants, Blue Cohosh and White Cohosh.
Black Cohosh is one of the most popular herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms. Overall, the research supports that using Black Cohosh can help reduce menopause-related hot flashes. The research is a bit mixed on exactly how Black Cohosh works and if it has estrogen-like activity. Some research does show that in any estrogen-like activity, this activity does not pertain to the reproductive organs, such as breast, endometrium, and ovaries. A big question for women going into menopause is whether this is a safe herb for women with a history of cancer; the research generally says it is. However, for all women, this herb should not be taken for unlimited amounts of time.
There are also concerns of liver toxicity with the use of Black Cohosh. Until more is known, anyone who wishes to take Black Cohosh should consult their health practitioner and monitor their liver function to be on the safe side. It would also be wise to avoid taking it along with other herbs that may increase the risk of liver damage, which include androstenedione, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, germander, kava, niacin, pennyroyal oil, red yeast, and others.
Remifemin, a branded black Cohosh product, has been used in Germany since the mid-1950s to manage menopause. All herbs do have various interactions with other substances.

Chaste Tree Berry
Chaste Tree Berry is also known as Vitex, Chinese Vitex, Hemp Tree, and Mang Jing Zi, among others. An interesting bit of history is that historians say that monks chewed Chaste Tree parts to make it easier to maintain their celibacy.
This herb has been most often recommended for relieving symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating, headaches and cramping. The therapeutic effects of Chaste Tree Berry have primarily been attributed to its indirect effects on various neurotransmitters and hormones. It seems to increase levels of progesterone and decrease levels of estrogen. Theoretically, Chaste Tree Berry might interfere with the action of dopamine antagonists such as antipsychotic drugs due to dopaminergic effects of Chaste Tree Berry. It is believed that this herb could interfere with any hormone-related medications. Consequently, if you are taking any medications or have a history of any medical conditions, speak to your health professional before starting this herb.
This is an herb that is not recommended for women with a history of any hormone-related cancers.

Red Clover
Other names for Red Clover include Genistein, Meadow Clover, Purple Clover, Trifolium, among others. Do not confuse Red Clover with Sweet Clover, Soy or Liverwort, however.
As a food, Red Clover is considered safe. Medicinally, there have only been four studies on Red Clover for menopause and three of these showed no benefit. Research has considered a possible blood cholesterol-lowering affect, decreasing prostrate size, and perhaps a positive effect on cancer, but research has not definitively supported any of these benefits, yet.
There is some evidence that red clover isoflavones can inhibit oxidative and conjugative metabolism. The list of possible drug and herbal interactions is so large that the best recommendation is to never consider this herb without a long discussion with your doctor, or avoid this herb completely.

This is an herb that appears to be safest when eaten as opposed to taken as a nutrition supplement. Although it could be safe for healthy persons with no medical history or on medications or other herbs, it does not appear to relieve any menopause symptoms. It also is an herb recommended to be avoided by any woman with a history of cancer.
We have just reviewed three popular herbs taken to relieve menopause symptoms. Chaste Tree Berry has been shown to be most effective for PMS and should not be taken by women with a history of breast cancer. Red Clover appears to be something safer to eat than take as a supplement and should be avoided by women with a history of cancer, as well as people on any other medication or herbal product. Women pass through this stage of life without notice. If you currently suffer from symptoms of menopause, there are several things that you should evaluate. Your intake of saturated fat, animal products and refined foods, Your alcohol intake and smoking habits,Regular exercise habits. Each of these factors plays a large role in not only your health but how you experience the journey through menopause.



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