By Carolyn Richardson


The prevalence of food allergies and sensitivities has made the topic of digestion a popular one. Everyone either suffers from a gluten intolerance or knows someone who does. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs for the relief of heartburn and indigestion are used by millions. The sale of supplements designed to let you eat foods like beans or milk products has become big business. If you wish to avoid this expense or to get even more help with problems like these, you can make natural digestive enzymes home remedies.

Digestion begins in the mouth and continues in the stomach and small intestine. Digestion is the process by which the body breaks down food into 'nutrients', which are substances that it needs for all metabolic processes. The saliva glands, the pancreas, and cells in the intestinal walls secrete every enzyme needed for this breakdown. Stress, illness, and aging can cause the process to be less than efficient.

There are many different enzymes produced and used by the body, only some of which are normally used for digestion. It's important to have enough digestive ones, because the body will use others that are needed for different bodily functions if there is a lack in the digestive tract. It is more important than many realize to chew food thoroughly. This mixes it with saliva, an enzyme-rich liquid produced in the mouth that starts the breakdown of food. This is nature's own 'home remedy', free and totally natural.

Most foods in their raw state contain every enzyme needed to break it down and sometimes more than enough. Cooking destroys enzymes, however, while harvesting before the peak of ripeness and long cold storage can deplete them. Help yourself stay healthy by consuming homegrown or locally-grown produce and eat it raw. Local grass-fed meats are healthier, too.

Some foods are especially enzyme rich. Papaya and pineapple are two fruits actually used to tenderize meats and to manufacture digestive aids. Eating them before or after a meal can boost digestion. Apples, carrots, and mangoes can be fermented to produce a concentrate rich in enzymes and beneficial bacteria, which are important for proper intestinal function. You can find recipes for fermented brews online.

Apple cider vinegar can boost the action of stomach acids, which can be depleted by a poor diet, illness, or simply getting older. A diet free of processed foods, factory meats, preservatives and other additives, and sugars can ease the burden on the body and prevent the depletion of digestive juices.

You can also make your own homemade enzyme-rich drinks. These are made with certain fruits and vegetables, like pineapple, mango, and papaya, prepared with added sugar and allowed to ferment. You can find recipes online. If the fermented, enzyme-rich drinks you make at home are consumed on an empty stomach, they may aid in cleaning impurities in the bloodstream. Taken with meals, they help digestion.

All of us should know more about the importance of enzyme activity in our bodies. If we eat pure food in its natural state, raw when possible, and provide our systems with the nutrients they need, we can stay healthy and happy. We can also enjoy our food.




About the Author:



0 comments :