Many people recognize that they just feel better when they take a digestive enzyme with every meal. It eases digestion, reduces distress and the fatigue and bloating that often come after eating. Udo's Choice® Ultimate Digestive Enzyme Blend is a simpler formula than the other Udo's Choice® enzymes, yet is potent enough to boost absorption of nutrients from dairy products, refined sugars, fruits, vegetables and any of the foods in a realistically healthy, balanced diet. Ideal for those with no specific health concerns.
For improved digestion of all foods

• A potent, full-spectrum blend of 10 active enzymes intended to replace enzymes lost in cooking and processing of food
• Contains enzymes that break down proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fibre, starch, milk sugar and complex sugars – throughout the entire digestive tract
• Helps alleviate GI symptoms such as gas, bloating, acid reflux, heartburn, constipation and diarrhea
  
• Helps maximize absorption of available nutrients from food, which leads to increased energy levels

Udo's Choice Digestive Enzyme Blends contain the full spectrum of important enzymes necessary to help in the digestion and absorption of all major nutrients.

Do you experience any of the following after eating?

• Gas?
  
• Bloating?
  
• Sleepiness or fatigue?
  
• Heartburn?
  
• Acid reflux?
  
• Nausea?

While these symptoms may be common, they are not normal; they are signs of impaired digestion.

Food is meant to energize us, not make us tired.

Why Udo's Choice® Enzyme Blends?

• Potent age- and condition-specific combinations appropriate for the many stages of life
• Active throughout the entire digestive tract
• Full-spectrum to assist digestion of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, sugars and fibres – raw or cooked
• High in proteolytic enzymes for reduction of inflammation and food allergies caused by incomplete protein digestion
• Improve nutrient absorption and increase energy levels
• Decrease gas, bloating, heartburn, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhea
• Guaranteed enzyme activity (FCC units)

What are enzymes?

Enzymes are catalysts – they initiate chemical reactions in the body but are not themselves changed or used up. There are 2 basic types of enzymes involved in the digestive process:

Digestive enzymes help the body to break down and assimilate nutrients from food: fats, carbohydrates, proteins, sugars and fibers.

They are produced by the body (predominantly the pancreas, but also the stomach and salivary glands) to act on food in the small intestine, stomach or mouth.

Food enzymes are found in raw foods, which come equipped with some of the enzymes needed for their own digestion. This is why foods decompose or rot if not eaten while fresh

– they essentially digest themselves.

What is digestion?

Digestion is the process of breaking down food into its component nutrients so that they can be assimilated (absorbed) into the bloodstream and utilized by the body for a myriad of functions.

Ideally, digestion is assisted by a combination of digestive enzymes and food enzymes. Digestion begins in the mouth, where enzymes in the saliva begin to de-construct starch and sugar molecules. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid (HCl) begins to act on proteins while enzymes in the food itself continue to reduce it down into smaller and smaller pieces. The food leaves the stomach and moves into the small intestine, which is an alkaline environment rich in enzymes secreted by the pancreas. Digestion continues until the nutrients are ready for absorption into the bloodstream.

The reality is that most of us do not adequately chew our food, which means that the salivary enzymes have no chance to act before the food moves into the stomach. Even raw food must be well chewed because cellulose (fibre) is tough to break down and the pancreas does not secrete cellulase, an enzyme that targets cellulose. Liquids should also be swirled around the mouth to allow the enzymes to begin to break down any sugars or starches. Food should be chewed until it is liquid before swallowing – at least 30-50 chews per mouthful.

The consequences of an enzyme deficit

Enzymes are heat-sensitive; cooking and processing can destroy 100% of naturally occurring enzymes in food. The lack of inherent enzymes in the modern diet means that the pancreas, which is designed to secrete only enough enzymes to finish the job that was begun in the mouth and stomach, becomes overworked. Eventually, it may not be able to keep up with the increased demand for enzyme secretion, allowing partially digested food particles to pass into the bloodstream.

The body does not recognize these food particles (protein in particular) as nutrients, so it launches an attack from the immune system in the form of an allergic reaction or inflammatory response. The immune system's resources then go to production of antibodies against food (which should be a benign substance) rather than healing injuries and fighting viruses, bacteria, yeasts and fungi. Like anything that is overworked, the pancreas eventually slows down or stops. Production of pancreatic digestive enzymes is decreased by stress, caffeine, alcohol, illness, pregnancy and simply aging. Supplementing with Udo's Choice® Enzyme Blends at every meal helps to support healthy immunity and digestion, improve nutrient absorption, increase energy levels and decrease gas, bloating, inflammation and food allergies and intolerances.

Are enzymes safe?

Plant- and fungal-based enzymes are very safe and have been used for centuries by Asian cultures. Udo's Choice® Enzyme Blends are essentially food enzymes from plants and fungi, extracted and encapsulated. Because enzymes are proteins, the body treats them as a source of protein. Testing has not found an upper limit of dosing and there is no danger of taking a harmful amount.

How can Udo's Choice® Enzyme Blends help?

• Ensure maximum absorption of nutrients from food and other supplements
  
• Allow the pancreas to rest, repair and return to a normal level of functioning
  
• Energy levels increase because more nutrients are available to the cells
  
• Shown to assist even a healthy digestive system, freeing up precious energy for other bodily functions or repair work

What should I expect?

You may notice an increase in bowel movements when you first start taking Udo's Choice® Enzyme Blends; this is a good sign that the digestive process is becoming more efficient and waste is moving through the system more efficiently. After a few days, you may notice that you pass less stool because more food is being broken down and the nutrients utilized. Many people also notice that when they begin absorbing more nutrients from their food, they are satisfied with less, resulting in reduced hunger and cravings. Conversely, some people who are underweight due to malabsorption find that digestive enzymes help them to better utilize their nutrients, allowing the body to maintain and build itself up rather than wasting away.

Are there any side effects?

If taken on an empty stomach, Udo's Choice® Enzyme Blends may irritate ulcers; be sure to take the digestive enzyme blends with food. The Anti-Inflammatory Enzyme is meant to be taken on an empty stomach and may cause a burning sensation or diarrhea if taken at too high a dosage. This formula should not be taken by those with ulcers.

What are these units of measurement on the label?

Udo's Choice® Enzyme Blends are expressed in FCC (Food Chemical Codex) units; this certifies that the enzymes went through thorough testing for activity and potency. The units vary from enzyme to enzyme because different efficacy tests are required for different enzymes. Labels that list enzymes only by weight (e.g. in mg's) do not reveal any information about enzyme strength or activity.

Is enteric coating necessary?

The purpose of enteric coating is to allow a capsule or tablet to pass safely through the harsh acidic environment of the stomach before its contents are released in the alkalinity of the intestines. This is not necessary with Udo's Choice® Enzyme Blends because these plant- and fungal based enzymes have a wide range of activity and remain stable in the stomach acid. Other enzyme supplements, including animal-based enzymes, are more delicate and may require enteric coating in order to be of use in the body.