Full Spectrum Plant Enzymes

Full-Spectrum Plant Enzymes

What Are Enzymes?

Enzymes, including full-spectrum plant enzymes, are biological molecules, typically proteins, present in cells and work as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions throughout the body. Interestingly, enzymes are highly specific in their actions and typically catalyze only one chemical reaction or a specific set of reactions. Enzymes are involved in all sorts of bodily processes, including digestion, metabolism, cellular signalling, and DNA replication. Given their importance, it should come as no surprise that tens of thousands of different enzymes exist.

Humans naturally produce their own digestive enzymes in the pancreas, liver, and small intestine to break down the foods we eat into smaller components that the body can use to derive nutrition and produce energy. Additionally, some enzymes are naturally present in raw, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables and fermented foods. However, not all enzymes are created equal, and their effectiveness and benefits depend on their specific type and source.

Regular vs Full-Spectrum Plant Enzyme Supplements

Many digestive enzyme supplements on the market are sourced from animals – most notably pancreatic enzymes, alongside proteolytic enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin – all of which come from animals as a by-product of the meat industry. Because of this, it can be hard to gauge their overall quality. Moreover, animal-based enzymes are susceptible to changes in pH and are especially vulnerable to the low pH of the stomach environment, which can significantly compromise enzyme function and effects.

Plant, and fungal-sourced enzymes, on the other hand, are effective in a variety of different pH levels, allowing them to work throughout the digestive tract. Additionally, while plant enzymes tend to have lower potency than animal-sourced ones, they are broader in their actions. Fungal enzymes produced via a fermentation process using Aspergillus, like plant-based enzymes, are extremely acid-stable and are some of the most widely used enzyme sources.

Beyond source, another important factor to consider when selecting an enzyme supplement is whether it contains one single or a few specific types of enzymes. Full-spectrum plant enzymes offer more robust digestive health benefits because they have a combination of enzymes. Indeed, a high-quality full-spectrum plant enzyme blend typically includes proteases to break down proteins, lipases to break down fats, amylases to break down carbohydrates, and cellulases to break down fibre. As such, a full-spectrum plant enzyme offers the broadest digestive support benefits.

Benefits of Full-Spectrum Plant Enzymes:

Improve Digestion: Full-spectrum help breaks down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into smaller molecules that the body can easily absorb. This can reduce bloating, gas, and indigestion.

Enhance Nutrient Absorption: Full-spectrum plant enzymes can enhance nutrient absorption, which, in turn, can improve overall health and well-being.

Reduce Inflammation: Full-spectrum plant enzymes have natural anti-inflammatory properties, so they can help reduce inflammation in the gut and throughout the body, improving digestive health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Improve Immune Function: Full-spectrum plant enzymes can support the immune system by promoting healthy digestion and reducing inflammation, which can help the body better fight off infections and illnesses.

Increased Energy: When digestion is improved, and nutrients are better absorbed, the body can make better use of those nutrients to produce energy. This can result in increased energy and improved overall health and vitality.

Who Needs Full-Spectrum Plant Enzymes?

Full-spectrum plant enzymes can be beneficial for people who have digestive issues or difficulty digesting certain types of foods. By supplementing with these enzymes, they can help improve digestion, reduce bloating and gas, and promote better absorption of nutrients from our foods. Moreover, because full-spectrum plant enzyme blends do not contain any animal-sourced enzymes, the formulas are ideal for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone looking for effective digestive support.

Final Thoughts

There are several high-quality full-spectrum plant enzyme brands available in the market. Some of the better quality and most reputable brands include:

• AOR
• Garden of Life
• Natural Factors
• New Roots
• NOW Foods
• Organika
• Prairie Naturals
• Pure Encapsulations