Using Enzymes

[Caryn]

Before we go ahead and try the product I inquired on a celiac forum I belong to about enzymes. I got an interesting response by a celiac friend who has a celiac son (age 10).

 

Here it is:

We tried that and even though he was not given gluten on purpose (may have had accidental), he did not do well. I think it caused neuro problems. My friends on a food intolerances lists said all their kids stimmed and had other as behaviours when on enzymes. They speculated that it was because all of the enzymes made it go straight into the blood stream and to the brain. I would have to agree based on our experience. We tried it for over a year.

 

I would love to know how this resonates with those of you who have done both food avoidances and enzymes.

 

I am having second thoughts about the enzymes now.

 

Caryn

[kim]

Caryn,

 

I probably shouldn't respond to this as we have never done strict avoidance but....

 

Try to bear with me here. MaryAnn's comment on another thread about her daughters yeast results, made me wonder about something that has created confusion (at least for me) here in the past. I too had celiac and candida blood tests for the boys. Both negative. When we discussed this here, Claire pointed out to me, that products like Nystatin, don't get into the bloodstream and her understanding was that urine or stool were required to rule out candida overgrowth. Negative blood work, just is not enough to rule out a problem. I know the OAT test (urine) from Great Plains is highly regarded. Anyway, after reading a bit about blood testing, one article said that the anitbodies would show up in blood work if there was leaky gut. So, I have to wonder if the degree of permeability is the real factor here, with enzyme use, OR candida treatment. Maybe there are bad guys around in abundance, but not enought to actually cause leaky gut? I can see where enzymes would cause different symptoms, depending on that factor. I don't ever remember seeing an increase in tics in relationship to enzyme use. My oldest son tested IgG positive to almost all grains, and we have minimized somewhat (he doesn't eat bread or buns, but loves pasta and breaded items like chicken nuggets) but have never totally knocked anything out of his diet. Same with youngest son, only he showed cows milk highly reactive, not the grains.

 

You will have to be sure to let us know what you decide, and what the results are, if you go ahead.

[Toms_Mom]

Caryn,

As you might already know we went off the restrictive diet and are using the enzymes- AFP peptizyde and Zyme Prime- I hate to speak too soon - it has only been about 2 months but he seems to be doing well on the enzymes- I have added back in his intolerant foods and as long as he takes the enzymes before eating he has no reaction. I still don't give him a lot of dairy, but started using butter and giving him yogurt about 3 times a week. I read Karen DeFelice's book and it really encouraged me to try them. According to her the longer you use enzymes the less you need them because the enzymes help to heal the gut.

 

I was wondering Kim if you have seen that happen since you have been using the enzymes for a long time?

 

Mary

[patty]

Interesting about enzymes!

 

This is my experience from taking enzymes. Since my son had asthma & allergies, a friend of mine highly recommended giving my son digestive enzymes to help with his asthma & allergies. About 10 days into taking it, my son had a sudden onset of tics. In looking back, i think my son has had very mild & infrequent transcient tics that comes & goes. I never took much notice. I have asked many of our alternative drs. about enzymes & tics, and no one seem to think there is a relationship. I always thought that may have triggered my son's sudden onset of tics. I kinda forgot about it until now. I still don't know for sure, and i will never find out. In any case, i am staying away from enzymes just to be safe.

 

Pat

[CSP]

Patty,

 

Since you and I seem to be on the same page about getting the nutrients from mostly food. I was wondering if one is eating a very healthy diet, with lots of raw foods, does this take care of the need to take enzymes.

 

I hope that made sense? What I mean is does eating say raw seeds/nuts, lots of organic fruits/veggies, raw milk, and raw cheese, raw honey, and organic coconut oil. Would these foods have all the enzymes one would need, if supplementation was not desired?

 

Wondering what you think,

C.P.

[patty]

CSP,

 

I think it kind of depends on one's deficiency. Because i believe getting most of the nurtients from eating whole and organic food, that's why i focus on energy modalities, like NAET, chirop, CST, Chinese medicine to clear the body of restrictions so one can better tolerate allergents and better obsorb these wonderful vitamins & minerals to help the body heal. I believe by taking care of the underlining problem, it helps to build the foundation for the future.

 

IMO, if one is still highly allergic and or sensitive to many things. It is hard for the body to obsorb these nutrients from food. So even with a healthy diet, it may not be helpful due to the obsorption problem. I am not against supplements, i think it has its place of healing. It just kind of depends.

 

I recently also added more fermented food, like Kefir, miso, apple cider vinegar, Tamari (instead of soy sauce).... I bought sauerkraut but haven't tried it with my son. We also take a small spoon of raw honey almost daily. And i bought raw Manuka Honey just last week at WF. It is very expensive, but i read that it is antibacterial and full of enzymes.

 

I am fortunate that we found a ND who also does not believe in mega doses of supplements. IMO, i find that kids respond to energy treatments quit well because of their vitalities and that they are constantly changing & developing. So once their body is in balance, it will take care of itself as nature intended.

 

Right now, my son is taking Unda #s twice a week, as prescribed by our ND to address the nervous system issues. He is still on 44mg of magnesium (Kids Calm) daily, and occassional vit C if his allergy is bothering him. CST about every 3/4 weeks. He is continuing to do well, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

 

Pat