Clinical Applications:
Supports Healthy Digestion of Macronutrients and Enhances Nutrient Absorption
 Supports Breakdown of Polysaccharides in Beans and Cruciferous Vegetables
 Helps Support Pancreatic and Brush Border Enzyme Function
 Supports Breakdown of Lactose                                        Product Information:
Food must be broken down into its component parts in order to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Though salivary secretions, chewing, gastric acid, and pepsin begin the process of digestion, the majority of digestion takes place farther down the gastrointestinal tract, in the small intestine. Once food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine, digestive enzymes begin the monumental task of turning it into the building blocks and fuel that the body needs for structural support and metabolic processes. Digestive enzymes are produced primarily in the pancreas and the brush border of the small intestine, and the health and function of these organs are vital to effective digestion and absorption. Proteolytic enzymes, amylases, and lipases are responsible for the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The complete digestion of these macronutrients produces small peptides, amino acids, monosaccharides and disaccharides, and free fatty acids that can easily pass through the intestinal microvilli and enter the bloodstream. Healthy digestion ensures that incompletely digested molecules and proteins do not enter the bloodstream, where they may be recognized as “foreign” by a vigilant immune system.
Pancreatic and Intestinal Enzymes
Pancreatic production of proteases, amylases, and lipases is complemented by intestinal production of enzymes such as lactase, maltase, sucrase, enterokinase, and various peptidases. This highlights the critical role of both the pancreas and intestines in the digestive process. One particularly important enzyme, lactase, is required to break down lactose into glucose and galactose. Without sufficient lactase, intact lactose can draw excess water into the bowel and be fermented by colonic bacteria into volatile gases and acids, potentially causing discomfort and digestive issues. Lactose—a disaccharide found only in mammalian milk—is readily digested by most infants. However, normal lactase production tends to decline as a child is weaned onto solid foods and may eventually cease altogether in adulthood. In such cases, exogenous administration of lactase (i.e., lactase supplements) can effectively support lactose digestion and allow for the continued consumption of milk-based products. Additionally, maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal flora plays an essential role in supporting brush border function and overall digestive capacity.
Digestion of Plant-Based Compounds 
Enzyme Complex contains several principle digestive enzymes as well as a complement of enzymes designed to break down plant compounds and fibers that humans would otherwise be unable to digest. Raffinose and melibiose, carbohydrates commonly found in legumes, can be broken down by the intestinal enzyme alpha-galactosidase. In the absence of this enzyme, these carbohydrates pass into the large intestine, where microbes can ferment them and produce volatile gases.
Enzyme Complex is a cost-effective, non-prescription, broad-spectrum, digestive enzyme formula suitable for vegans and designed to support the digestion of fat, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, and lactose. This comprehensive formula contains lipase, proteases, alpha-galactosidase, hemicellulase, papain, lactase, and other key digestive enzymes. Enzyme Complex works in a wide pH range — unlike porcine pancreatin, which works in a narrow pH range.