Digestive enzymes are a key factor in the absorption of nutrients from our food, and low enzyme activity is a primary cause of deficiencies, as well as bloating and other forms of discomfort suffered after eating. It is a source of surprise to some people that they can suffer a deficiency even though they are eating foods which are meant to supply the very items in which they are deficient. For example, how can one be deficient in iron when one is consuming a lot of meat?

Small surprise that it has become fashionable to take digestive enzymes with food. They will certainly appear to relieve gut discomfort, but using them on a regular basis might well create a dependency, while doing nothing to address the main problem. There are many reasons for enzyme deficiency, such as inadequate hormone production. The only permanent way to deal with the problem is by treating the gut.

When there is insufficient digestive fire (agni) toxins accumulate in the digestive tract and eventually solidify. This causes the activity of the villi to be compromised and in time they are unable to move sufficiently to enable nutrients to reach their destination. The solidified mucus becomes a part of the gut wall.

How does Ayurveda set about enabling the body to produce its own enzymes? The first step is to break down the solid deposits in the gut wall. Over time the body will have tried to detoxify itself by sending waste to the liver. The liver itself will therefore be in need of detoxification. When this is achieved normal hormone production can be restored and natural enzyme production will be resumed.

Here we have yet another example of the need to treat the gut first in order to restore normal body functions. Artificial enzymes can do no more than temporarily conceal the real problem.

For more information please call us at the Yatan Holistic Ayurvedic Centre on 1300 552 260.