Papain is a powerful digestive enzyme commonly found and extracted not only from the papaya fruit (Carica papaya) latex but also from papaya leaves and stems. It is also referred to as papaya proteinase. The papaya enzyme papain plays a key role in digestive processes involving breaking down tough protein fibers. For this reason, it has been commonly used in its native South America for digestive support when eating meat and even to tenderize meat before cooking. (more…)
Nattokinase is a powerful proteolytic, or protein-digesting enzyme, and is most well known for its benefits to cardiovascular health. Traditionally, nattokinase was extracted from natto, a fermented soybean dish from Japanese cuisine and culture. The organism that produces nattokinase is made by a fermentation process which incorporates the bacteria Bacillus subtilis. It was discovered in Japan by research scientist Dr. Hiroyuki Sumi who was looking for a natural remedy for dissolving blood clots related to heart attacks and stroke. (more…)
Walnuts are perhaps best-known for being the quintessential healthy brain-food. But who knew that walnuts were also winning top prizes for their heart-healthy, free-radical fighting, antioxidant properties as well? (more…)
Beans, greens (especially cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower) and heavy carbohydrate-laden foods can cause gassiness and bloating. These foods have carbohydrates that are linked to proteins or fats (known as glycoproteins or glycolipids) which aren't effectively broken down in the gut; these poorly-digested particles then serve as a food source for intestinal bacteria. (more…)
Glucoamylase (also known as amyloglucosidase or AMG) is an important digestive enzyme that helps us absorb nutrients and create energy from some of the most common plant foods that we eat. It does this by breaking down the starch that occurs naturally in most vegetables that we eat. This starch is present in high amounts in common foods like potatoes, corn, rice, and wheat. It’s also added as a filler or processing additive in prepared food products. (more…)
