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Digestive problems are one of the most common ailments today and they affect millions around the world.  The main reason behind this is our diet. Humans only used to eat what was available to them from the Earth-fresh fruits & vegetables, herbs, and meat that had no antibiotics or hormones it it. Today we are constantly exposed to processed foods and chemicals which can throw our bodies and our digestive systems for a loop. Furthermore, enzymes are destroyed by heat. Most people do not live on a raw food diet and do not eat enough raw foods for our bodies to have enough enzymes to digest properly. One way to help your body digest food properly is by taking digestive enzymes.

Digestive enzymes are supplemental enzymes which work in your stomach and intestines to digest food properly. They are made from a variety of sources including animal, plant, microbial fermentations (also called plant-derived), and concentrated food or plant extracts. The type of enzyme you need depends on what you have the most difficulty digesting. Protease enzymes digest proteins such as meat, fish, and nuts. This category includes bromelain (derived from pineapples), papain, pancreatin, carboxypeptidase, chymosin, pepsin, and rennin. Amylase enzymes digest carbohydrates. These enzymes are great for digesting beans, milk sugars, sucrose, and fibrous fruits and vegetables. Lipase enzymes help you digest fats.

Along with taking digestive enzyme supplements, certain herbal teas and herbs can help with digestion. Chammomile, peppermint, and ginger tea are all great for digestion. A raw food diet (or even partially raw) can do wonders for your internal health as well because it provides your body with enough enzymes needed to digest food properly.