CONTENTS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS

Beet (Beta vulgaris)(root)

Beet Root has historically been used as a home remedy to “strengthen the blood,” nourish the liver and gallbladder, and assist the digestive system. Beet root contains betaine which contains the amino acids methionine and cystine. These amino acids contain sulfur which is used by the liver in the metabolism of protein.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)(root)

Ginger has been traditionally used by herbalists to improve the activity of other ingredients in a formula. Ginger root contains enzymes, oleo resins and volatile oils which are digestive stimulants.

Amylases

Amylases are carbohydrate-digesting enzymes such as Alpha-Amylase (from Aspergillus oryzae), Glucoamylase (from Rhizopus nitveus), and Alpha-Galactosidase (from Aspergillus niger). Supplementation with amylases allows carbohydrate digestion to proceed during the time food is held in the stomach, which is usually about one hour. Glucoamylase and Alpha-Galactosidase break down the carbohydrates found in beans, peas, nuts, seeds, grains and vegetables such as beets, broccoli, pumpkin, and cabbage.

Proteases

Protease (from Aspergillus oryzae) and Acid-Stable Protease (from Aspergillus niger) are protein-digesting enzymes. Proteases, with the addition of water, break apart proteins to form smaller polypeptides.

Disaccharidases

Disaccharidases like Lactase (from Aspergillus oryzae), Maltase (from Aspergillus oryzae), and Invertase (from Saccharomyces cerevisiae) digest the simple sugars that are found in dairy products (lactose), grains (maltose), and white sugar and flour (sucrose). Lactase is used to digest lactose. Maltase is closely related to amylase and works to digest grain maltose. Invertase is an enzyme that breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose, both of which are readily absorbed into the blood.

Cellulases

Both Cellulase and Hemicellulase are vacuumed off Aspergillus niger. These enzymes are found in plants but are not produced in the human body. They digest only soluble fibers, such as cellulose, the chief constituent of the cell walls of plants. Hemicellulase is an enzyme that breaks down pectin, a non-cellulose polysaccharide commonly found in fruits and vegetables. The purpose of this enzyme is to increase the solubility of the fiber to increase its ability to bind water and toxins.

Lipases

Lipase, from Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus oryzae, are fat-digesting enzymes which split fats into monoglycerides and fatty acids.

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