Ortho Molecular Ortho Digestzyme Gastrointestinal Health Ortho Digestzyme is a comprehensive blend of enzymes used to support healthy digestion and maximize nutrient absorption. Hectic lifestyles and overcooked food can make digestion less than optimal. Poor digestion can produce bloating and gas, cramping, diarrhea or constipation, and even food intolerances. Incomplete digestion of food proteins may also be linked to food allergies, and improper digestion of foodstuffs can cause foods to be fermented in the gut, which can lead to the proliferation of “bad” bacteria and yeast at the expense of “good” intestinal bacteria. More complete digestion removes a potential food source for these bad bacteria, allowing for the complete breakdown of food proteins, which helps support regular bowel movements. Ortho Digestzyme is a full-spectrum enzyme strategically designed to support each phase of digestion. In the gastric phase, betaine HCl and pepsin prime the stomach, ensuring proper pH to initiate the first phase of digestion. This sets up for the second stage of digestion, the enteric phase, in which high-concentration proteases, amylase, lipase, and trypsin are released and activated in the small intestine to ensure proper protein breakdown and fat absorption. This unique blend of high-powered enzymes works to enhance digestion and ensure maximum nutrient intake. Key Benefits and Features: Supports Healthy Digestion and Maximizes Nutrient Absorption Supports Gastric Acid Balance and Digestive Function Provides Protease-Rich Digestive Enzymes for Improved Protein Breakdown Helps Maintain Healthy Gastrointestinal Flora Ingredients Serving Size: 2 Capsules Amount/Serving Sodium 15 mg Pancreatin 350 mg Protease (from Pancreatin) (70,000 USP Units) Amylase (from Pancreatin) (70,000 USP Units) Lipase (from Pancreatin) (5,600 USP Units) Betaine Hydrochloride USP 300 mg Pepsin (450,000 FCC Units) 150 mcg Ox Bile (Desiccated) 120 mg Bromelain (from Pineapple) 100 mg (240 GDU) Papain (600,000 USP Units) 100 mg Other Ingredients: None. Does Not Contain: Gluten, yeast, artificial colors, or flavors. Suggested Use Take 1-2 capsules before each meal, or as recommended by your health care professional. Warning: If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your physician before taking this product. Keep out of the reach of children. Storage: Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry place. More Info. Enzyme and Stomach Acid Depletion Depletion of enzymes and stomach acid is a natural consequence of aging. An estimated 30% of Americans suffer from low levels of stomach acid, which plays an important role in the initial breakdown of protein and other foods. Dwindling stomach acid can result in improper digestion of foods. Studies have shown that hydrochloric acid production decreases with age. According to one study, 30% of men and women suffer from low acid production. A second study found that 40% of post-menopausal women lacked basal acid secretions. Since stomach acid and healthy digestive enzymes are essential for access to nutrients from foods, depletion of enzymes and hydrochloric acid may result in suboptimal nutritional status. Ongoing use of acid-reducing medications, such as proton pump inhibitors, can also deplete stomach acid. Gastric Phase Digestion (Stomach) Betaine hydrochloride is an acidic form of betaine, used in the gastric phase to help bring the stomach to a more acidic pH to aid in digestion. Studies have shown that the ability to secrete gastric acid decreases with age. Common symptoms of low gastric acidity include: bloating, belching, burning, and flatulence immediately after meals, a sense of “fullness” after eating, indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, multiple food sensitivities, and nausea after taking supplements. Ortho Digestzyme also contains pepsin, a protease secreted in the stomach by chief cells for added digestive power in the gastric phase. Enteric Phase Digestion (Small Intestine) Pancreatin, bromelain, papain, and ox bile extract support better enteric phase digestion in the small intestine for further digestion of proteins and fats. Pancreatin extract is composed of three different enzymes: amylase, lipase, and protease. All help to digest starch, protein, and fat and enhance enzyme activity to support digestion. Eighty percent of pancreatic enzymes by weight are proteases. Lipase works with ox bile extract to emulsify and digest fats. Bile, excreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, mixes with chyme (partially digested food), aiding in the digestion of fats and helping the body to excrete waste. Research has shown that papain, a protease derived from papaya, can help digest wheat gluten in the small intestine and render it harmless in those who are gluten sensitive. Finally, bromelain, an enzyme extracted from pineapple, aids in the digestion of protein and has been shown to help maintain normal levels of inflammation.
