Amylase is one of the primary starch-digesting enzymes secreted in the body. This enzyme is somewhat unusual in that it is produced not only by the pancreas but also in the mouth as a component of saliva. In the oral cavity, as food is chewed and mixes with saliva, amylase begins the enzymatic digestion of dietary starch and glycogen (carbohydrates) into smaller molecules and ultimately glucose and maltose. (more…)
The colon is also called the large intestine. It doesn't digest food. It's the part of the digestive system responsible for processing waste out of the body. Waste material travels along the four parts of the large intestine where it is converted into solid material. A healthy colon means a better quality of life. (more…)
Earlier this year, I had a day where I experienced a sore throat and sinus irritation. I didn't reach for a box of any over-the-counter remedy. Instead, I juiced a fair amount of ginger and lemon and added it to a tea. I was very satisfied with the relief I felt. My experience was nothing new; ginger, or ginger root, has been cultivated and used therapeutically for thousands of years. (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…)
Invertase is a carbohydrate-digesting enzyme that splits sucrose (common table sugar) into its component parts, glucose and fructose. It is generally derived from a beneficial strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and then purified to be used either by itself or as a part of a multi-enzyme formula. Combined with other carbohydrates, it enhances the overall digestion of starch, sugar and other carbohydrates. (more…)
