Improved nutrition begins with a healthy digestive system
Here’s how ‘good’ bacteria and enzymes can help…
Digestive problems are perhaps the most common health concern in
North America today, particularly as we continue to eat high-fat
content, highly processed foods. With our frequent trips to the
restaurant drive-through window, not to mention our participation in the
latest fad diet craze, it’s no wonder our digestive systems are a mess!
Many digestive problems can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle.
Getting the proper amounts of fiber, fruits and vegetables, and not
eating on the run, may be a healthful start. At times, we may also see
the need to supplement with beneficial bacteria and helpful enzymes that
our digestive systems need to function efficiently.
Are you deficient in digestive enzymes?
If you have frequent bloated stomach, belching, burping, gas,
fatigue, weight issues, headaches, constipation, to mention but a
few—then you may have a digestive concern that should warrant your
attention.
Enzymes are the sparks that cause or speed up the essential chemical
reactions that the body needs to live. Digestive enzymes are
particularly important since they allow the foods we eat to digest more
completely so that we can use the food’s energy more efficiently.
‘Leaky gut’ and more…
As we age, the body produces fewer enzymes. Daily living also
depletes the body’s source of enzymes by placing tremendous demand on
body systems through stress, strenuous exercise, illness, extreme
weather conditions, and the loss of perspiration, urine and feces.
Pasteurization, microwaving, hybridization (or genetically modifying
foods), and excess intake of hydrogenated fats can cause further
depletion of digestive enzymes.
When foods are not well digested, they remain in the stomach where
they rot and putrefy. This results in buildup of waste in the colon. As
fecal matter begins to decay, bacteria produce toxins. The toxins
eventually seep through the bowel wall, where blood capillaries pick
them up and distribute them throughout the body, causing havoc on the
body systems. This process is sometimes known as ‘leaky gut’ syndrome.
Of all foods, protein may be the major contributor to intestinal
toxemia (‘leaky gut’ syndrome). Proteins are building blocks of the body
and are necessary to transport vitamins and minerals to the bloodstream.
However, protein is also the most difficult dietary constituent to
digest.
“Contrary to the information on fad diets currently promoted by some
popular books, a diet that is high in protein can actually contribute to
disease and other health problems,” according to the Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine. 1
High protein diets may weaken the pancreas, which in turn, may fail
to provide the necessary enzymes to digest the protein in the first
place. Certainly, a vicious cycle that can lead to immune deficiency and
leave a person vulnerable to chronic infections or disease.
Supplementing with AIM PrepZymes®
Raw foods have functional, live enzymes; however, raw foods provide
just enough enzymes to digest that particular food only—there is no
extra to digest cooked or processed foods. And, many people find the
fiber content in large quantities of raw food difficult to digest.
There are many designer enzyme formulas in the marketplace, but AIM
PrepZymes® is considered to be a complete general enzyme formula. What
makes it so special? The enzymes are cultured, strained off, and
purified, so no fungi, bacteria, or yeast remain in the product. AIM
PrepZymes® also contains an extract of papaya fruit, which assists in
protein digestion, and has a soothing effect on the stomach. A known
metabolic stimulant, garlic has also been added, which may aid in
digestion, contribute antioxidants, and offer antibacterial and
antifungal properties.
A good digestive formula will contain a variety of enzymes that
address every type of food ingested: protein, fats, starches, dairy,
plant, vegetable material and sugar. AIM’s complete general formula
addresses the variety of foods we eat.
Each capsule of AIM PrepZymes® contains:
- Protease I & II to aid protein digestion
- Amylase—to aid carbohydrate digestion
- Lipase—to aid in fat and oil digestion
- Cellulase—for dietary fiber digestion
- Invertase—for digestion of sugar
- Maltase—for malt sugars and grain digestion
- Lactase—for dairy product digestion
Supplementing with digestive enzymes is a good way to efficiently
break down protein, carbohydrates and fats, thereby stimulating the good
bacteria in the gut, and detoxifying and cleansing the colon. As an
added benefit, with a clean colon, we utilize more nutrients, eat less,
and maintain a stable weight.
More on AIM PrepZymes
How important is beneficial bacteria?
There are upwards of one hundred trillion bacteria in the digestive
system. A healthy balance of intestinal flora (bacteria) is considered
integral to good health. The so-called ‘friendly’ bacteria counteract
unfriendly bacteria in the digestive process by:
* aiding in the digestion of food
* cleaning the intestinal tract
* purifying the colon
* promoting regular bowel movements
* establishes a healthy balance of good bacteria in the intestinal
tract:
* balances the intestinal pH
* promotes the destruction of molds, viruses and parasites
* protects us from environmental toxins
* increases the number of immune system cells
* helps to manufacture vitamins and essential fatty acids
* assists in maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels
* breaks down and rebuilds hormones.
With so many benefits, it’s easy to see that when the ratio of good
to bad bacteria in the intestines has become skewed, a host of health
problems may result.
Supplementing with AIM FloraFood®
Multi-strain probiotic products are more likely to show health
benefits than those formulas with only one strain of friendly bacteria.
Generally, it is recognized that minimal concentrations should not be
less than 1 billion viable cells per dose. AIM’s FloraFood® meets all of
these requirements. It is a powerful probiotic formula packed with three
essential bacteria: L. acidophilus, B. longum, and B. bifidum, to
provide a better balance of intestinal flora. And, AIM is proud to
guarantee 1 billion good bacteria cells per capsule until expiration.
AIM FloraFood®.
If product superiority weren’t enough, AIM’s FloraFood® is easy to
use since no refrigeration is required. Through a unique and proprietary
processing method, AIM FloraFood® will remain stable at room
temperature. This makes AIM’s product particularly convenient to use
when traveling.
Dr. Michael Murray, N.D., states, “The intestinal flora is intimately
involved in the host’s nutritional status and affects the immune system
function, cholesterol, metabolism, carcinogenesis, and aging.”
2 Our overall health is greatly influenced by
the balance of friendly and unfriendly bacteria in our digestive system,
and AIM FloraFood® can help.
AIM FloraFood® and AIM PrepZymes® are best taken with meals. You may
take AIM FloraFood® with other AIM products; however, AIM PrepZymes®
will break down the bacteria in AIM FloraFood®, so take these products
with alternate meals. As always, it is best to consult with a healthcare
practitioner before adding anything new your diet.
More on AIM FloraFood
1 “The Protein Myth,” Physicians Committee for
Responsible Medicine, Washington, DC, 2003.
2 Boris, et al. Infect. Immun. 66(5): 1985-1989,
1998.
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