Digestive Enzyme??????

[double elle]

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I was at the pharmacy the other day and while I was waiting in line, I noticed a new group of supplements they now carry. One in particular caught my eye..The name on the bottle said "Digestive Enzyme". I looked on the back and it just said "to aid in the process of digestion." I usually don't go for alot of gimmick stuff..but I have a TERRIBLE GI tract. I have been told to drink lots of water and eat alot of fiber. I do that. I eat like a rabbit, having only 1-2 bites of meat at a time, which is every few days. I eat foods that are water-based, such as oranges, grapes, pineapple, etc. I know it sounds gross, but I can eat some foods and be burping (oops, pardon me!) several days later! I know this isn't normal.

Can anyone give me any info on this 'digestive enzyme' capsule? I saw it on discovery health channel one time, but it only said it helped with digestion. It didn't say how. The last thing I want is to do is waste money...or worse..make my problem more of a problem!! I was going to ask the pharm. tech., but there were too many people in line to take up a lot of time. 😕

 

[ewagner]

MOST LIKELY, it is Papain, or something very similar. Papain is typically found in enzymatic debridement ointments for wound healing...eats at protein. Papain, is from the Papaya fruit! It was also found in "old school" body building supplements in the 70s and 80s (probably even now)...used for body builders that would eat ungodly amounts of protein and constantly produce, well, gas.

Other than gas, I really don't know what your problem is...so I would hate to advise you on anthing (nor should you seek advice on a web site!). You should discuss this with a physician and certainly not the pharmacy tech...you must obviously rule out other things.

I can tell you this. THe FDA does NOT regulate such "supplements", so you really have no guarantee of quality or quantity of these things. Also, they can say virtually anything on them. The FDA currently recognizes such items as "food", and not regulated like drugs. Beware.

 

[shep]

Here's my question. It is an enzyme, right? It is going to get digested and broken down in the stomach just like any protein. I guess the question is, how long will it actually be active? My guess is not very long and certainly not long enough to do much. I could be wrong but it sounds like malarky to me.

 

[ewagner]

taken orally, I think you are right. Just reporting the facts. Placebos are wonderful, aren't they.

 

[Djanaba]

I know of no foods that are not "water-based," perhaps save for lard. This sounds like an family practice/internal medicine (gastroenterology if your symptoms progress or are that bad) question, not a supplement/med school one. You're right, your symptoms aren't normal, and these folks are right, too: the supplement industry is a poorly regulated, high-money-making one. Please see your physician for appropriate treatment -- water and fiber are great, but there may be more to your story which may be treated well and rather easily!

 

[double elle]

By 'water based' I mean foods that are primarily water, such as oranges, grapes, etc. I find they are easier on my stomach. I have previously been to the doc with this. That is what they tell me "more fiber and drink lots of water". Thas it why I was curious when I saw the bottle....because I feel like I just don't digest my food in a timely matter. Even after a light meal, I feel 'heavy' (like I just had a huge steak) hours and hours later.

Thanks for all your posts. Believe me, I have taken the appropriate medical precautions. I was just wondering if anyone had any opinions on the digestive enzymes being sold OTC.

Thanks again!