Unfortunately, American meals often highlight meat, poultry, fish, saturated fats, refined foods, salt and sugar. The result of these dietary changes is a 31 percent increase in fat consumption, a 50 percent increase in consumption of sugar and other sweeteners, and a 43 percent decrease in consumption of complex carbohydrates. In addition, emotions, stress levels, and imbalances within the endocrine and nervous systems also affect the digestive function.

All of the above put excessive pressure on the digestive system forcing it to work longer and harder to process food. Rather than focus on blocking the digestive process with antacids and other drugs, the natural approach features supplements that aid digestion and restore proper function.

The digestive process begins with good teeth. Chewing signals the rest of the digestive system to get ready to go to work. The stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and large intestine (colon) are key players in the digestive process. Optimal transit time for food to pass through the digestive system is between 24 and 36 hours. In some people, this process can take 144 hours.

In the stomach, food is broken down into increasingly smaller particles. Digestion in the stomach can continue for as long as four hours after which the stomach empties its contents as a semi-liquid into the small intestine. The greatest amount of digestion and absorption takes place here. The liver manufactures bile, which is extremely vital in the digestion of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Bile produced by the liver is either used in the small intestine or stored in the gall- bladder. One quart of bile is produced by the liver daily.

The pancreas produces enzymes that are required for digestion and absorption. Enzymes secreted by the pancreas include lipase, protease and amylase. The colon absorbs water, electrolytes (salts) and limited amounts of the final products of digestion. It also temporarily stores waste products which can provide a fertile growing place for bacteria.

One way to support an overworked digestive system is to take natural digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes are substances manufactured by the body that assist in absorbing nutrients from foods. The human body produces about 22 enzymes that are capable of digesting protein, carbohydrates, sugars and fats. Since enzymes are easily destroyed by cooking and food processing, it can a good idea to replenish naturally occurring food enzymes with enzyme supplements.

In addition, aging causes digestive enzymes to decrease. Numerous plant enzyme formulations such as those derived from papaya and pineapple, are available as capsules, tablets, liquids, powders and granules.

Bromelain refers to a group of sulfur-containing enzymes from the pineapple plant that digest protein. It is effective in cases of pancreatic insufficiency. Papain, derived from papaya, has a mild, soothing effect and aids in protein digestion.

The digestive enzyme protease is critical for proper protein digestion. Incomplete protein digestion creates problems for the body including development of allergies and formation of toxic substances produced during the breakdown of protein materials by bacteria. Protease and other digestive enzymes are largely responsible for keeping the small intestines free from parasites. A lack of protease increases the risk of intestinal infection including an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans.

Lipase along with bile digests fats. A deficiency of lipase results in inadequate absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Amylase breaks down starch molecules into smaller sugars. Cellulase digests fiber. The human body doesn't produce cellulase, and the only way it can be obtained is through plant sources.

Taking digestive enzymes 30 to 60 minutes after meals often helps better utilize the meal's nutrition, especially for people with weak digestion.

Reprinted from Health Products Business, June 1999