Found naturally in raw foods, enzymes play a key role in the digestive process by helping to break down the food we eat so that the body can absorb its valuable nutrients. The problem, however, is that cooking our food destroys those natural enzymes, so our bodies lack the tools necessary for complete digestion. Not only that, but heavily processed foods and those made with refined sugars and white flour (such as those yummy holiday baked goods) are also depleted of natural enzymes. As a result, the digestive process slows down and undigested food remains in the intestines longer, which can contribute to everything from heartburn and indigestion to gas, bloating and other digestive issues.

Taking a natural digestive enzyme supplement is the key to surviving the holidays with your digestive health intact. Experts recommend a multi-enzyme blend made with plant-derived enzymes, which are effective over a broader range of pH levels in the body and thus provide more complete support. If you have a particularly sensitive stomach, choose an enzyme supplement with soothing herbal ingredients such as ginger root and marshmallow, as well as amino acids (including L-glutamine and N-acetyl D-glucosamine) for added intestinal lining support.

Targeted enzyme blends are also available to help address specific conditions such as heartburn, gas and bloating, and even lactose intolerance with fast-acting herbs and nutraceuticals. So this year before you head out for the first round of holiday festivities, don’t forget to give yourself the gift of good digestion and take your enzymes.

Want to learn more about the benefits of natural digestive enzymes? Check out ReNew Life’s Digestive Education Center and find out everything you need to know!

Take the Gas & Bloating Self-Test

Print this page and answer each question below to see if you could be suffering from excessive gas & bloating. A score of 3 or higher indicates there is a strong possibility that you have excess gas and bloating and could benefit benefit from nutritional supplementation to help address the problem. 

1. Do you burp or belch uncontrollably after eating?

2. Do you eat quickly and swallow your food without much chewing?

YES ___  NO ___ (YES = 1 NO = 0)  _____

3. Do you drink carbonated beverages?

YES ___  NO ___ (YES = 1 NO = 0)  _____

4. Do you experience excessive flatulence within 1 to 1½ hours after eating?

YES ___  NO ___ (YES = 1 NO = 0)  _____

5. Do some vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, garlic, onions, etc.) give you excessive flatulence?

YES ___  NO ___ (YES = 1 NO = 0)  _____

6. Does eating beans give you excessive gas?

YES ___  NO ___ (YES = 1 NO = 0)  _____

7. Do you take psyllium fiber as a supplemental fiber?

YES ___  NO ___ (YES = 1 NO = 0)  _____

8. Do you drink cold liquids with your meals?

YES ___  NO ___ (YES = 1 NO = 0)  _____

9. Do you commonly eat refined wheat products (pasta, crackers, bread, etc.) or dairy products?

YES ___  NO ___ (YES = 1 NO = 0)  _____

10. Have you had problems with Candida overgrowth (thrush, vaginal yeast infections, nail fungus, etc.)?

YES ___  NO ___ (YES = 1 NO = 0)  _____

TOTAL SCORE _______

(A score of 3 or higher indicates you may be suffering from Gas & Bloating.)

Simple Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Gas & Bloating

• Do not eat late at night. Stop eating between 6-7 p.m.
• Exercise to help stimulate the passage of gas through the GI tract.
• Eliminate artificial sweeteners like Nutrasweet and Equal.
• Avoid eating protein and starch at the same meal.
• Eat fruit alone or thirty minutes before a meal.

More than 70 percent of your natural immune defenses are found in your gut, which means that the more efficiently your body is able to digest the foods you eat, the healthier you will be. When digestive function is at its peak, food is broken down completely, valuable nutrients are absorbed, and waste and toxins are eliminated from the body through regular, healthy bowel movements.

In recent decades poor digestion has become a growing problem in the America, mainly due to the overconsumption of high-fat, processed foods loaded with refined sugars and preservatives. These foods can slow the digestive process and lead to a buildup of waste and toxins in the colon, resulting in digestive problems such as heartburn, gas and bloating, diarrhea and constipation, which may in turn contribute to weight gain, yeast overgrowth, low energy, brain fog and more.

Educating yourself about the benefits of healthy digestion is the first step toward taking back control of your body and your health. In addition to good eating habits and getting plenty of exercise, natural digestive care supplements can help establish and maintain optimum digestive function to help you achieve lasting wellness.

Like what you read here? Keep checking back with ReNew Life’s Digestive Care Blog for the latest news and advice about better health through optimum digestion!