Improve Digestion of Plant-Based Foods

Digestion is a complicated process.

Enzymes are needed to break down each of the major food groups: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

The recent trend toward eating more plant-based foods has brought along with it the need for additional enzymes to break down hard-to-digest, fiber-rich foods.

As we age, internal production of digestive enzymes declines.¹ As a result, undigested foods may pass into the large intestine,^2,3 causing bloating, gas, diarrhea, and cramping.

Researchers have identified additional enzymes that specifically promote digestion of high-fiber plant foods.

When combined with a specific probiotic, these benefits can be further enhanced.

Common Causes of Digestive Problems

Many health problems plaguing aging adults, including digestive discomfort like gas and diarrhea, impaired immunity, and nutritional deficiencies, can often be attributed to poor digestion.

Two important causes of digestive problems are:^1-5

1. Age-related declines in production of endogenous digestive enzymes, and

2. Imbalances in the gut microbiota.

Digestive enzymes are needed to break down the foods we eat and extract essential nutrients from them. And a proper balance of bacteria must be present in the gut to prevent bloating, gas, and other unpleasant digestive symptoms.

Drugs such as Alka-Seltzer® and Pepto-Bismol® can temporarily relieve some symptoms but do nothing to address the underlying problem.

The Power of Digestive Enzymes

To help break down food more completely by the time it reaches the end of our small intestine, substantial amounts of all required digestive enzymes are needed.

This helps prevent undigested food from passing into the colon and causing gastrointestinal problems.

About 70 years ago, scientists first discovered⁶ that taking digestive enzymes orally leads to more complete digestion of foods in the stomach. Since then, studies have validated the beneficial effects of digestive enzyme supplementation.^7-9

Optimal digestion of major food types, including proteins, fats, dairy, and plant cellulose (fiber), requires different digestive enzymes, such as:

• Protease,
• Lipase,
• Lactase,
• Cellulase, and
• Bromelain.

The Challenge of Plant-Based Diets

In recent years, diets have changed. More people are reducing their meat and other animal-derived food intake and increasing their intake of plant-based foods.

The cell walls of these foods contain complex polysaccharides and fibers. While fiber is an important part of a healthy diet, it may also bind to minerals and other nutrients, blocking their bioavailability and preventing their absorption.

Humans do not produce the enzymes required to break down fiber and depend on enzymes produced by intestinal microorganisms.^10,11

Protease 3.0 is an enhanced form of the protease enzyme that helps digest gliadin found in wheat.

To properly break down other plant-based foods requires:

• Alpha-galactosidase,
• Hemicellulase,
• Cellulase,
• Xylanase, and
• Pectinase.

General Purpose Enzymes

The enzymes described next have long been used to improve digestion. Each has a specific, targeted function that helps break down complex foods into nutrient components that can be readily absorbed.

Protease

Protease breaks down proteins. Research shows that giving protease to animals enhances their digestion.¹²

Aging individuals may receive tremendous potential benefits from supplementing with protease enzymes in order to increase the efficiency of protein digestion.

Lactase

Lactase breaks down lactose, or milk sugar. Older people are often deficient in this enzyme,¹³ resulting in cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea after consuming dairy products.¹⁴ But avoiding dairy can cause calcium deficiency, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.^15-18

Studies show that taking lactase reduces or eliminates post-meal abdominal cramping, belching, flatulence, bloating, and diarrhea in people with lactase insufficiency. It also promotes better overall nutrition.¹⁹

Lipase

Lipase breaks down fat into individual fatty acids and related substances. It helps the body absorb vital fat-soluble nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids like lycopene and lutein, and vitamins A, D, K, and E.²⁰

Without sufficient lipase, incompletely digested fats can cause greasy, fatty stools and cramping. Inadequate fat digestion also blocks absorption of key vitamins, leading to deficiencies.

Taking oral lipase promotes fat digestion.^21,22 In one study, pancreatic lipase enzymes were given to subjects eating a high-fat meal, resulting in significant reductions in bloating and gas.²²

Bromelain

Bromelain is extracted from pineapple stem and fruit. It helps with digestion of proteins.^23,25

Scientists studied adults with an inability to fully digest and absorb fats and proteins. Taking an enzyme mix containing bromelain improved digestion and absorption of both these food groups.²⁵

Digestive Enzymes to Support Plant-Based Diets

The enzymes described so far support basic digestion. But the trend toward plant-based foods means additional enzymes can help improve the breakdown of hard-to-digest types of plant fibers.

The following digestive enzymes deliver potent support for high-fiber, plant-based diets.

Protease 3.0

Traditional protease breaks down most proteins. But a specialized protease known as protease 3.0 is even better at promoting the digestion of proteins in acidic conditions such as those found in the stomach.

This enzyme may also help some people with gluten sensitivity or intolerance since it specifically promotes digestion of gliadin, a protein found in gluten in wheat, and some other grains.

Alpha-Galactosidase

Alpha-galactosidase is a digestive enzyme that breaks down oligosaccharides, carbohydrates found in plant foods including beans and cruciferous vegetables (such as cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage).

Taking this enzyme substantially reduces bloating, discomfort, and flatulence associated with eating these foods.^26,27

In one study, scientists recruited volunteers with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For three days they ate a diet high in a type of oligosaccharide that triggers IBS symptoms. The group that took oral alpha-galactosidase had a clinically significant reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms compared to a placebo group.²⁸

Cellulase

Cellulase is not produced naturally in the human body. It allows humans to digest most cellulose, or plant fiber.

This allows for smoother digestion of tough vegetable fiber and minimizes the excessive flatulence that deters many people from eating healthy, high-fiber foods like broccoli and beans.

Hemicellulase, Xylanase, and Pectinase

Additional digestive support is found in three enzymes specific for the breakdown of plant foods high in fiber:

• Hemicellulase breaks down hemicellulose, a complex carbohydrate that is a major component of cell walls in plants.

• Xylanase breaks down xylan, another complex sugar found in plant cell walls. When undigested, xylan can impair nutrient absorption.²⁹

• Pectinase breaks down pectin, a naturally occurring substance found in pears, apples, guavas, plums, oranges, and other fruits.

An optimal selection of enzymes should include:

• The full range of traditional digestive enzymes, and additional enzymes that target high-fiber and gas-producing plant foods.

A Probiotic for Digestive Health

Even greater digestive health is possible with the addition of a targeted probiotic.

Probiotics are microorganisms that, taken in adequate amounts, have a health benefit. Like enzymes, they are vital to the digestion process.

One particular probiotic, Bacillus coagulans strain MTCC 5856, has been shown to effectively treat both constipation and diarrhea, along with other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.^30,31

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients with irritable bowel syndrome took tablets containing 2 billion spores of Bacillus coagulans strain MTCC 5856 daily. This led to a significant decrease in bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and discomfort, and stool frequency.³¹

Addition of this probiotic strain to a broad range of digestive enzymes may provide comprehensive protection against several types of gastrointestinal discomfort.

Summary

As we age, the levels of digestive enzymes in our bodies decline. This triggers digestive problems, including bloating, gas, and diarrhea, and prevents absorption of nutrients.

The recent shift toward eating more plant-based foods can increase this problem, because the increased amount of difficult-to-digest plant fiber components requires specialized enzymes.

Digestive enzymes can boost the body’s ability to fully break down food and may prevent gastrointestinal distress and promote better overall health.

Addition of the probiotic Bacillus coagulans to a broad range of digestive enzymes may provide a high level of protection against several gastrointestinal discomforts.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension® Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

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