Digestive Enzymes Guide

Which Digestive Aid Supplement Should I Choose?

Everyone will benefit from the Digestive Bitters and Digestive Enzymes. Most people will benefit from taking the HCL and Pepsin. Take a look at the specific function each of the enzymes have.

List of Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Aid Products

1. HCL = HCl = Hydrochloric Acid
2. Dr. Clark Digestive Enzymes
3. Digestive Bitters, 4 fl. oz.
4. Pancreatin & Lipase, 500mg 100 Capsules
5. Bromelain, 450mg 100 capsules
6. Papain-Papaya, 500mg 100 Capsules
7. Pepsin, 153mg 100 Capsules
8. Dr. Kelly's Super Digestive Enzymes, 770mg 100 Capsules

HCL = HCl = Hydrochloric Acid
-Fat and Protein Digestion, Heartburn, Mineral Deficiency, Gas, Bloating, Indigestion, Acid reflux.

Hydrochloric acid is responsible for the digestion of fats and proteins. Betaine hydrochloride (betaine HCL) is an acidic form of betaine, a vitamin-like substance found in grains and other foods. Betaine hydrochloride is recommended as a supplemental source of hydrochloric acid for people who have a deficiency of stomach acid production (hypochlorhydria).*
Deficiency of Gastric Acid
Stomach acid or Hydrochloric Acid (HCL abbreviated here for added clarity with all capitals HCL)(note: probably should stick with HCL and remove the note about HCL in all caps) is a powerful digestive aid. After a high-protein meal, the pH in a healthy stomach may drop to as low as 1 or 2. However, buffers quickly raise the pH back to 3 or 4.*

With age, stomach acid secretion tends to decrease. Resulting in: low stomach acid, poor digestion, mineral deficiency, and disease, in that order. What to do? Our HCL supplements help make minerals and nutrients more absorbable. Achieving the correct balance of flora is a key to maintaining proper digestive function and overall health.*

A deficiency of gastric acid secretion increases the likelihood and severity of certain bacterial and parasitic intestinal infections. This causes an imbalance in the growth of normal bacterial flora in the intestines.*

Dr. Clark repeatedly stated that people were better off taking HCL instead of acidophilus, because if the “acid barrier” (the stomach) is in proper order it stops inhospitable microorganisms from entering the colon, this results in growth of good flora in the colon without the constant assistance of acidophilus supplements.*

Overall people start lacking in HCL secretion at age 40. As you can see on the chart HCL drops 75% by the time you are in your 40s. HCL secretion is close to 200 mg/hr at 11 years compared to about 50 mg/hr in the late 40s. This is an average; you may be below or above. This chart was published by Dr. Jonathan Wright in the book "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You". People with lineage from the Nordic and Germanic countries have a particular tendency to lack HCL at a younger age than others.*

Apart from digestive problems, a good indication of lack of hydrochloric acid are splitting nails and nails that look like a washboard because HCL helps you get the minerals you need for healthy nails and hair from your food.*

Hydrochloric Acid is a big deal and that is why we carry three varieties:
Hydrochloric acid 5% drops, 1 fl. oz:
The HCL Liquid comes in a 1oz bottle, we recommend you use up to 45 drops per meal mixed in food. Read warnings and never put directly in your mouth.

Betaine HCL capsules, 100 capsules:
The HCL capsules are by far the most common way to increase acid levels in stomach. It’s handy to use because it comes packaged in capsules.

Glutamic Acid HCL powder, ½ cup:
If the Betine HCL does not agree you then use this version of acid increasing supplement. The Glutamic Acid comes in a powder form.

How do the HCL supplements compare?
To answer this question we adjusted 1 qt. (L) of water to pH of 5.5, representing an unhealthy and alkaline stomach, we then added the 3 different HCL supplements to 3 different batches of water and obtained the following results:

• Betaine HCL 1 capsule = 3.2pH
• Glutamic Acid 3 scoops of powder = 3.3pH
• HCL 5% 45 drops = 3.4pH
  

Most people use Betaine HCL capsules however some have sensitivity for it so they choose the Glutamic Acid HCL powder or the Hydrochloric acid 5% drops or a combination thereof.

While Betaine HCL can be considered stronger the other two have the added benefit of being mixable into foods. In addition to aid your digestion by increasing your stomach acid Glutamic Acid Powder has many additional benefits unrelated to digestion.

Research indicates that Glutamic Acid fuels brain function, and can attach itself to nitrogen atoms. This may help to support the natural cleansing of the body of ammonia. Glutamic acid is crucial for proper cell function. It serves as an important neurotransmitter in the brain and is involved in both the learning and memory process. Glutamic Acid represents the combined levels of glutamine and glutamic acid.*

Glutamine, 500mg Capsules on the other hand helps provide your body with amino acid in its free-form that benefits the nervous system, helps to build muscles (protein building block) and maintain liver health. Glutamine is one of the most abundant amino-acids in the body, and every cell needs glutamine as both a source of energy and for proper cell division.*

Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) 5% Drops (1 fl. oz.); also called Dr. Clark Digestive Power is best taken by mixing up to 45 drops per meal in food. Dr. Clark Digestive Power is also a great food sanitizer. Stir up to 45 drops into liquid foods, like a cup of soup for example, before putting it in the fridge, thereby curbing the growth of bacteria - making it last longer.*

Dr. Clark Digestive Enzymes
Overall Digestion

Dr. Clark Digestive Enzymes is the best most powerful and immediate “Magic Bullet” if you want to improve your overall digestion quickly, including digesting fats, protein, fibers and dairy.*

Our Digestive enzymes are a powerful mix of enzymes that help boost your body’s natural ability to break down all forms of nutrients. Each Dr. Clark Digestive Enzyme capsule delivers a potent 500 milligrams of high-powered digestive support in an easily assimilated capsule. This synergistic formula was developed by Dr. Clark.*

Ingredients in the Dr. Clark Digestive Enzymes

Digestive Bitters, 4 fl. oz.
Overall Digestion

Digestive Bitters, 4 fl. oz.
Use Digestive Bitters to stimulate the bitter taste buds on the tongue and thus increase salivation. This stimulates the gastric reflex to cause digestive juices containing digestive enzymes to be secreted. There is increased flow of digestive juices from the pancreas, duodenum, and liver that result in less undigested food being passed through the digestive tract and better assimilation of nutrients. Bitters also help eliminate waste more efficiently.*

Other benefits of increased bile include a possible reduction of gallstones, greater absorption of vitamin K, A, D and E and maintain a healthy liver function. Beneficial to take when your liver is in need for TLC (tender love and care).*

You can take Digestive Bitters before, during or after a meal. It is never too late to remember to take Bitters! Digestive Bitters acts as an excellent appetite stimulant if taken on an empty stomach because as you may have noticed you get hungry soon after taking them.*

Pancreatin & Lipase, 500mg 100 Capsules
Food Sensitivities, Inadequate Fat Digestion, Indigestion or Weight Loss

Extra helpful when enzymes are lacking to break down dietary fats. Do you have floating, greasy, light-colored stools? That’s an indication.*

Pancreatin is an effective enzyme supplement for increasing your ability to DIGEST FAT. It also helps maintains good health when pancreatic secretions are deficient.*

Lipase helps to break down FATS, GREASY FOODS and OILS. When Lipase levels are insufficient to break down dietary fats, greasy, light-colored stools may result. Lipase also can help with weight gain and to relieve indigestion. (note mentioned twice in this section)

Bromelain, 450mg 100 capsules

Protein Digestion, Heartburn, Diarrhea, Cough, Nasal Mucus, Sinus Concerns, Hay Fever, Bloating, Gas
Bromelain is a naturally occurring mix of enzymes found in Pineapple. The main nutritional use of Bromelain is to help in the digestion of PROTEINS. Because of this, it is commonly used to relieve BLOATING, GAS and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Surprisingly Bromelain has a wide variety of benefits and not only concerning your digestion. It helps suppress cough, reduce nasal mucus associated with minor sinus concerns, and relieve the swelling and inflammation caused by occasional hay fever. Other uses include reducing inflammation due to arthritis or surgery.*

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme found in raw pineapple and aids in the digestion of PROTEIN RICH FOODS. It is also a VEGETARIAN alternative to animal sourced enzymes.*

Bromelain aids digestion by enhancing the effects of the digestive enzymes trypsin and pepsin. Bromelain has a wide pH range that can function effectively within the acidic environment of the stomach.*

It can also help to prevent HEARTBURN and ease DIARRHEA, if either is caused by a deficiency of digestive enzymes. Some researchers believe that Bromelain may increase the potency of antibiotics.*

Traditional current day practitioners in Japan, Hawaii and Taiwan include use of topical Bromelain to clean wounds and burns. Similarly, some clinicians may recommend this topical agent to reduce swelling from insect bites or stings.

Papain-Papaya, 500 mg 100 Capsules
Protein, Meat, Eggs, Dairy Digestion, Soothing Effect on Stomach- Take with HCL and Pepsin

Take if you have problems digesting proteins or have an upset stomach.*

Take if you have problems digesting proteins or have an upset stomach.*

It is a protein-cleaning enzyme that has a MILD, SOOTHING effect on the stomach. Papain helps digesting PROTEIN, such as MEAT, EGGS or DAIRY.*

Papain is an enzyme present in papaya a VEGETARIAN alternative to animal sourced enzymes. Papain has been utilized for thousands of years in its native South America.*

Pepsin, 153 mg 100 Capsules
Protein, Meat, Eggs, Dairy Digestion

If you find yourself having a hard time with either MEAT, EGGS or DAIRY products. Take with every meal together with Betaine HCL capsules with food.*

In the stomach Pepsin effects partial degradation of proteins into smaller units called peptides, which then either are absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream or are broken down further by pancreatic enzymes.*

Small amounts of Pepsin pass from the stomach into the bloodstream, where it breaks down some of the larger, or still partially undigested, fragments of protein that may have been absorbed by the small intestine.*

Pepsin may enhance the body’s natural metabolism and may assist in the process of removing waste and toxins from the intestines.*

Pepsin is often taken with Betaine HCL capsules with food.

Dr. Kelly's Super Digestive Enzymes, 770mg 100 Capsules

Enzyme for Enlarged Intestines, Fatigue
Take this enzyme formula when you need the most powerful enzymes possible.

Take with every meal and in-between meals in case you want to digest buildup in your intestines. You can take this enzyme on an as needed basis and as a regimen specific to your needs.*
One capsule of Dr. Kelly's Super Digestive Enzymes weighs 770mg and contains what we call Panc-Zyme which in turn contains the following per one capsule:

• Protease: 235,620 USP units
• Amylase: 300,300 usp USP units
• Lipase: 38,500 usp USP units
• Chymotrypsin: 57,750 usp USP units
• Trypsin: 192,500 usp USP units

Dr. Clark Stomach Saver
“Dr. Clark Lugol’s Stomach Saver” provides a simple and amazingly effective home remedy to maintain good health despite unsanitary foods even after the fact. Take 12 drops in ¼ glass of water every 4 hours.*

Sanitation
Sanitation is an integral part of a proper digestive care. Without proper sanitation we will bombard our digestive systems with microorganisms. This can cause both mild and severe symptoms of food poisoning that can lead to H. pylori (Peptic Ulcer) at worst.*

• Dr. Clark White Sanitation Spray
• Dr. Clark Lugol’s Sanitation Spray

We recommend you use the White Sanitation Spray on your conventional veggies and countertops. Always spray on dry foods and then rinse. For maximum sanitary effect spray then dry with a paper towel then spray again and let air-dry. If you don’t have time for air-drying then spray – wait for 2 minutes - and rinse with water.

If you buy organic veggies the Lugol’s Sanitation Spray is a pure and economical choice. The Lugol’s Sanitation Spray is also more effective against viruses. Dr. Clark favored adding Lugol’s to water and dipping vegetables in that solution. We find that spraying the Lugol’s on is just as effective and definitely more economical.

Both the sanitation sprays have passed Dr. Clark’s testing methods for purity and both are made from 100% edible ingredients. We do however recommend you rinse your food after you spray it.*

The White Sanitation Spray has the additional ability to be able to diminish pesticide residues and waxes on some of your veggies that are easier to clean, like apples.*

The Dr. Clark Lugol’s Sanitation Spray is sold as a kit; it comes with an empty 8 fl. oz. bottle and a 1 fl. oz. Dr. Clark Lugol’s bottle. The Lugol’s bottle contains 2% elemental iodine solution and is called Dr. Clark Lugol’s Stomach Saver. This allows for dual use, you can create your sanitation spray and have Lugol’s handy for your supplemental needs.*

You use one dropper full of Lugol’s in 8 oz of water to make a 50ppm sanitation solution. For your reference Sanitation & Hygiene in Food Processing handbooks state that 100ppm chlorine equals 200ppm quaternary ammonia equals 25ppm iodine.*

We prefer the spray to be 50ppm because it will lose potency when it sits on your counter. In fact the amber color that it gets right after you mix it will fade. When the color of the tincture fades you need to add more Lugol’s. The amber color is a good indicator of potency.*

Dr. Clark White Sanitation Spray

• Great for conventionally grown veggies!
• Antimicrobial
• Remove pesticides and waxes
• Ideal to sanitize counter-tops

Dr. Clark Lugol’s Sanitation Spray

• Great for organic veggies!
• Antimicrobial
• Economical – Can be refilled
• Effective against viruses
• Dual purpose – contains a bottle of Stomach Saver

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*Disclaimer: Our statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat cure, or prevent any diseases.