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

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Sweeteners

by Ms H 

Most of us like sweets however, too much of these appetising stuff can lead to problems such as tooth decay, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Here is the list of the most common sources of sugar found on food labels: brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit-juice concentrate, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), honey, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, malt syrup, molasses, raw sugar, sucrose and syrup.

Sugar provides 4 kcal / g energy when it is consumed. However, sweeteners called sugar alcohols or polyols contain 2 kcal/g energy. Foods that contain sugar alcohols can be labelled sugar-free because they replace full-calorie sugar sweeteners.  They have been used for decades to sweeten chewing gum, candy, fruit spreads, toothpaste, cough syrup, and other products. There are easy and cheap ways to make sugar alcohols from corn, wood, and other plant materials, along with their sugar-like taste. List of polyols: sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, isomalt, lactitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates and maltitol.  The reason that sugar alcohols provide fewer calories than sugar is because they are not completely absorbed in your body. For this reason, high intakes of foods containing some sugar alcohols can lead to abdominal gas and diarrhea. For your heath you should control the amount of foods containing sugar alcohols.

Stevia is a non-caloric sweetener made from the leaves of a shrub that grows in South and Central America, so it is a natural low-caloric sweetener. Stevia is about 300 times sweeter than sugar.

Artificial sweeteners are far sweeter than regular sugar: aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, neotame, advantame and acesulfame-K. One concern about artificial sweeteners is that they affect the body’s ability to evaluate how many calories are being consumed. Some studies show that sugar and artificial sweeteners affect the brain in different ways. The human brain responds to sweetness with signals to eat more, leading to rise your energy intake and can contribute to the risk of obesity.

Sweeteners are really useful alternatives for people with diabetes. They also prevent tooth decay and control blood sugar level.

Sweeteners may be safe, but are they truly healthy?

Examining Well-Known Health and Diet Myths

By M. Dwyer  

It seems like there is new information every day on how best to eat healthy and stay fit and trim. Many people find it all too confusing to follow and instead, fall back on the old tried-and-true methods they have been told over the years. It is important to know the facts to maximize the benefits of your diet and exercise routine. Below, we examine common myths about what we eat and drink:

Gluten-free Foods Are Lower in Calories and Healthier 
Gluten-free foods still contain calories. Experts say that unless you are truly allergic to gluten and have the autoimmune disorder known as celiac disease, choosing gluten-free products will not by itself help you lose weight or improve your health. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, just one in 133 Americans actually has celiac disease. So why do so many people say they feel better when cutting out gluten? Often it is because they are replacing refined foods with fresh alternatives like fruits and vegetables, which are gluten-free. They feel better because they are simply eating healthier.

Carbohydrates Are Bad and Should Be Avoided if You Want to Lose Weight
Foods, such as whole grains, pasta, brown rice, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, which contain complex carbohydrates, should be part of a healthy diet. It is processed carbohydrates (found in such foods as white bread and white rice) that are unhealthy because they have lost much of their fiber and other nutrients.

Dairy Products Are Necessary to Get Calcium
There are plenty of calcium-rich, non-dairy foods. Vegetables, such as broccoli and kale, white beans, fortified soymilks and juices, and a variety of fruits, can provide all the calcium your body needs. In order to keep bones strong, particularly as you get older, you may need a calcium and/or vitamin D supplement as well. Exercise is also important for maintaining strong bones.

Non-dairy sources of calcium are also essential because most adults develop some degree of lactose intolerance, which makes consuming dairy products an uncomfortable experience. That is because our bodies stop producing large quantities of lactase, which is the enzyme that breaks down lactose. Lactose intolerance can start as young as the teen years, so it is a good idea for young adults to start including non-dairy sources of calcium in their diets.

A Protein Bar Is A Healthy, Low-fat Meal Substitute
According to fitness trainer, Pauline Nordin, packaged protein bars are highly processed and require fewer calories to digest, so any calorie-saving benefit is diminished. Some bars are higher in calories than a healthy meal. Nordin says that she thinks of protein bars as treats and uses them as a substitute for a candy bar.

There are many misunderstandings as to the secrets of losing weight and how we can alter our diet to do so. Many foods get bad or good reputations, but people's impressions of them aren't always accurate. It is best to do your research and not rely solely on what you have heard or thought you always knew.

M. Dwyer is the founder of Healthe Trim, a natural weight loss supplement clinically shown to promote weight loss. Healthe Trim combines natural ingredients such as Hoodia gordonii and green tea leaf extract in order to reduce food cravings and boost energy naturally. Learn more about Healthe Trim's natural weight loss supplement at http://www.healthytrim.com.

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