Microbial, or vegetarian, enzymes are active over a broad pH, from the acidity of the stomach to the alkalinity of the small intestine. They are able to begin digesting food almost immediately after they enter the stomach. Since microbial enzymes are able to function in the acidity of the stomach, they are able to predigest foods in the upper stomach for 45 minutes to one hour after consumption. When food reaches the small intestine, this greater state of digestion is detected, telling the body that fewer pancreas-derived digestive enzymes are needed. This decreases the energy and resources expended by the body for digestion, thus reducing digestive stress.

Animal and enteric-coated digestive enzyme products don’t function in the low pH of the stomach, making them unable to assist in predigestion. In the treatment of inadequate digestion, studies have demonstrated that it takes significantly less active units of microbial-based digestive enzymes to provide the same results as animal-based enzymes. Our modern diets of cooked and processed foods contain little, if any, natural enzymes. The use of a microbial enzyme supplement at the beginning of each meal helps reduce the enzyme-producing burden placed on the body. This increases nutrient absorption and energy for immune function, maintenance and overall support.

Finally, production of microbial enzymes takes place in highly controlled laboratory conditions, which protects against hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and other environmental contaminants associated with animal-based enzymes.