Whatever the cause of your food reaction, enzymes can help. Enzyme
therapy is especially effective at fighting allergies because enzymes can
break down protein allergens and work to block the process that causes an
allergic reaction. Individuals with low pancreatic enzyme output have an
increased chance of suffering from food allergies. Enzyme supplements can
help augment the body's own pancreatic enzymes. Therefore, the use of
pancreatic enzymes has been suggested in the treatment of food allergies.
One theory states that allergies are triggered by partially undigested
protein and that proteolytic enzymes decrease allergic symptoms. Research
tends to support this theory. So, supplementing with enzymes can help
prevent allergies.
Enzymes also stimulate immune activity and bolster immune system
function by promoting growth of healthy intestinal flora. Systemic enzyme
therapy is used to decrease inflammation, to improve circulation, to break
down and transport nutrients throughout the body, and to remove waste
products from the body. For food allergies, you should consider taking a
proteolytic enzyme (such as pancreatin) 1-to-1/2-hour before or after a
meal.
A note of caution: although enzymes can help allergies, individuals
suffering from severe food allergies should strictly avoid any food to
which they know they are allergic. To do otherwise may be life
threatening.
In the case of food intolerance, adverse reactions to foods can often
be eliminated when the proper enzyme is taken with the offending food.
Those who have problems digesting proteins should take a protease (proteolytic)
enzyme; for carbohydrates, take an amylase (amyiolytic) enzyme; for fats,
take a lipase (lipolytic) enzyme. Taking lactase tablets when consuming
dairy products will help a lactose intolerant person properly digest
lactose, while taking alpha-galactosidase will help someone who has
trouble eating beans and other vegetables.
If you can't determine exactly what food component causes your
symptoms, try taking an enzyme combination that contains protease,
amylase, and lipase enzymes. Take them 30 minutes before a meal, during
meals or just after, depending on what works for you in digesting food and
reducing symptoms.
Conclusion
An unpleasant reaction to a food may not always be a sign of a food
allergy, it could indicate a food intolerance. Fortunately, enzyme therapy
can help to overcome both of these by enhancing immune function and
improving digestion.
For more information on food allergies and food intolerances, contact:
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse at P.O. Box
NDDIC, Bethesta, Maryland 20892, telephone: (301) 654-3810.
REFERENCES
Altman, Daryl, M.D., Chiaramonte, Lawrence, M.D. "Public perception of
food allergy." Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 1247-1251, June,
1996.
Cichoke, Anthony J. The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy Garden. City
Park, N.Y.: Avery Publishing Group, 1999.
Cichoke, Anthony J. Enzymes and Enzyme Therapy: How to Jump Start Your
Way to Lifelong Good Health. New Canaan, C.T.: Keats Publishing, 1994
Therapeutic
Dosage
