Digestive Enzyme Therapy

Enzymes are one of the most essential elements in our body.

They are responsible for constructing, synthesizing, carrying, dispensing, delivering, and eliminating the many ingredients and chemicals our body uses in its daily business of living. Digestive enzymes break down the food we eat, releasing nutrients for energy production and cell growth and repair.

Digestive Enzyme Therapy

Enzymes are one of the most essential elements in our body.

They are responsible for constructing, synthesizing, carrying, dispensing, delivering, and eliminating the many ingredients and chemicals our body uses in its daily business of living. Digestive enzymes break down the food we eat, releasing nutrients for energy production and cell growth and repair.

When proper digestion does not take place there can be negative health consequences.

If you have trouble digesting proteins

You may experience:

  • Constipation
  • Arthritis
  • Anxiety attacks
  • Premenstrual syndrome

If you have trouble digesting carbohydrates

you may experience:

  • Diarrhea
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Attention Deficit Disorder

If you have trouble digesting fats

You may experience:

  • Constipation
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Heart disease

Diagnostic Testing

Simple Blood Tests can be an excellent indication of chronic health problems.

At Foothills Wellness Center we have several unique diagnostic tools at our disposal for the assessment of nutritional status and the presence of chronic problems in the body.

Doctors playing the wait and see game will prescribe medications and potentially dangerous surgery

Dr Picone uses blood values to ascertain physiological balance by using enzymatic and nutritional therapy.

Your diet plays an enormous role in how you feel and maintain health

24-Hour urinalysis gives us biochemical evidence of what food(s) your body is having a difficult time digesting and assimilating.

We will order the necessary test’s to properly diagnosis your problem.

These may include: X-rays, MRI, CT scan as well as blood work and lab testing. However, Dr. Picone will not order any unnecessary tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the section(s) below we try to answer some of the frequently asked questions about enzyme therapy.  We are also available via phone or email to answer your specific questions.   Please find the contact page and send us an email with your question(s).

If you eat food that is steamed, boiled, roasted, broiled, fried, stewed, canned, pasteurized, or even microwaved, you need food enzymes. Enzymes are the most heat sensitive nutrients found in food. When food enzymes are missing, the body is forced to produce all the enzymes necessary for digestion. This puts unwarranted stress on the organs of digestion, which must rob enzymes from your immune system to digest your food.

Digesting food is one of the most energy-consuming tasks performed by the human body on a regular basis. When foods deficient in enzymes are eaten, the body uses a considerable amount of energy making enzymes for digestion. This often explains why we feel tired after eating. To avoid enzyme deficiencies, eat as many raw fruits and vegetables as possible. We live in a modern age where food needs to be convenient and nutritious, so taking plant enzymes with each meal will help digest your food, lessen the work of your digestion system, and reduce stress on the digestive system.

Consumers spend over 80 billion dollars each year to relieve heartburn, excess acid, bloating, and other symptoms of indigestion. Fatigue, diarrhea/constipation, gas, headaches, colon problems, hardening of the arteries, and high cholesterol are just a few of the conditions that stem from a shortage of enzymes. All of these symptoms can be attributed to poor digestion. If allowed to progress, chronic degenerative diseases may become evident in later years. If you are showing any signs of these symptoms, it is possible that you are enzyme deficient.

Most people feel better in terms of energy, digestion, and elimination. Occasionally persons may experience a period of increased detoxification when beginning enzyme therapy. This is actually a good sign as the body is now able to eliminate excess toxins, although you may feel tired or achy for a few days. Increasing enzyme dosages and water intake is often the best recommendation to help you through this natural process.

We suggest digestive Enzymes – enzymes labeled before meals – be taken at the beginning of the meal because that is when the digestive process begins. You will want the enzymes averrable as soon as possible to assist the digestive process. However, if you forget, then it is perfectly fine to take them in the middle, at the end, or whenever you remember, as digestion last approximately one hour. * Snacks are excluded.

We suggest taking other enzymes – enzymes labeled between meals – one hour away from food (or on an empty stomach) because the goal here is to get the enzyme into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream it benefits circulation, the immune system, inflammation, and detoxification. There is usually enough protease in the digestive formulas to meet the need for protein digestion during meals. If you are sensitive to taking supplements on an empty stomach, we might suggest taking the protease at the end of a meal. However, we often find that after the patient has been on the enzymes for a period of time, this “sensitivity” is resolved.

We suggest taking other enzymes – enzymes labeled with meals – at the end of the meal so these enzymes nutrients are absorbed with the nutrients from your food. However, if you forget, take them when you remember.

We suggest taking Candisol (Maintenance Dosage) at bedtime because the gut is at rest during the night. The organisms have the best opportunity to adhere to the intestinal wall for colonization during this time of least activity in the GI tract. We may also suggest additional enzymes in the morning to assist with bowel regulation, and some enzymes may also be taken with meals to reduce digestive discomfort from gas and bloating.

As you can see, the recommended timing is idea, but not strict. For the very busy patient who just can’t seem to taken them as recommended, we say: “Taking them when you remember is better than not taking them at all!”

The preventive health care program at Foothills Wellness Center is a constantly evolving culmination of almost thirty years of clinical experience with patients of all ages and in all conditions, from death-bed-ridden individuals to elite, world-class athletes. Through all these years it has been very satisfying to be present while thousands of people found the answers they needed, when they needed them.

Based upon our years of experience, you may expect to begin seeing improvements with your health care problems within days to weeks. More permanent results require at least 3 months of consistent life style changes. Serious problems that have existed for years may require 6 to 18 months, or even more, for optimal recovery. You did not get this way over night and unfortunately we do not have a magic wand, just the expertise and knowledge to get you better.

At all times you can expect us to do our best to honor our motto, “We can help you improve your life.” It may not be possible to have all the answers for everyone, but, in the rare instance when we do not have a particular solution for you, we will do our best to help you find someone who does.

The Homeostatic Digestive Challenge Test

is a useful technique that can be used to determine what dietary changes can be made to alleviate the stress within the digestive organs and what enzyme supplements can be used to normalize digestion.