Protein Digestion Benefits From Enzymes And Probiotics
By Barry Lutz
I became familiar with the importance of
digestive enzymes and probiotics in a circuitous way.
I had been studying about what protein powders
were the best, in terms of total nutritional content - which also led me to
learning that it can be hard to digest and absorb whey protein.
The reason for the digestive problems comes
from the lactose in milk and whey, which many people have stomach sensitivities
to, if not an actual intolerance.
So, I not only decided to buy an all-natural,
hormone-free protein powder blend of whey and micellar casein, it also included
a specialized blend of digestive enzymes. This was especially important,
because it was these enzymes that would increase my ability to digest and use
the whey protein.
Yes, I was one of the people who often got gas
and bloating from lactose.
My new protein powder was the easiest to
digest, when compared to others that I had tried. And this became even better,
when I also started taking a digestive enzyme supplement that was made from a
blend of 16 different enzymes.
But I still wasn't taking probiotics or eating
probiotics foods.
Improving Lactose Intolerance
I kept trying to learn about lactose
intolerance, and ways to improve it and protein digestion. This was especially
important to be, because as part of my weight lifting and fitness workouts, I
was also drinking or cooking with protein powders a couple times each day.
And this was when I learned about how
probiotics fit with enzymes and digestion.
Lactose intolerance is also known as lactase
deficiency - lactase is an enzyme used to digest lactose. And this enzyme is
found in probiotics as lactic acid bacteria. Additionally, lactase is produced
during the fermentation and culturing process when making probiotics foods like
Kefir and Yogurt.
Probiotics Protein Shakes And Smoothies
I now take a probiotics and GI health
supplement, along with my digestive enzymes.
It's not that I am big on taking supplements;
I'm actually not. I take omega-3 DHA, because of the health importance of
natural anti-inflammatory, and I take a whole food vitamin that probably isn't
even necessary with the nutritional health diet I eat.
And to these, I added the 2 digestive health
supplements that I know, from how my stomach feels even with all the protein I
eat, has worked very well for me.
But there are also 2 probiotics foods that fit
very well with what I eat, and those are Greek yogurt and Kefir. These are
great additions to my protein shakes and smoothies, and being able to directly
add the probiotics and lactase enzyme at the time I am drink the protein.
Of the 2, I would say that the Kefir is the
best probiotics. I say this because of the number of active bacteria cultures
that Kefir has compared to Greek yogurt, but do note that Greek yogurt is a
great source of protein at over 20 grams per cup.
Just be certain that for both of these that
you get plain unsweetened brands. By doing this you will best be able to limit
the carbohydrates and sugar in them.
Kefir is really amazing to add as the liquid
to your probiotics protein drinks. By itself, it has a sour and tangy taste,
but when you add the flavor of your protein powder, you end up getting a really
thick and creamy shake that tastes really good. And getting a great taste is
even easier when you make a smoothie that you added some fruit to.
What is so special about Kefir is that besides
having lactase and digestive bacteria like acidophilus and bulgaricus, it can
contain up to 13 different bacteria strains. And along with this, the bacteria
from Kefir can actually colonize in your intestinal system - meaning that it
can become part of your system and ideally continue to flourish and provide its
protein and nutrient digestive benefits.
I really like the probiotics protein digestion and lactose
intolerance remedy that I get from Kefir and my digestive supplements.
My nutritional
health and fitness is in very good shape - and now I feel that
my digestion is currently better than it has ever been; I might also add that I
used to take nexium for acid reflux and don't need it any more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Barry_Lutz/21383
