Specialized need – If you take a complete product while attempting to get benefits of just one or two types of enzymes, you may have to take much more product which makes this much more expensive. Targeting specific needs may be more efficient and cheaper. Calculate cost per capsule and per dose for what you need. There is also basic issue of volume or bulk in enzymes. There is only so much room in a capsule so all-in-one product may require you to take more capsules just to get adequate amounts of basic types of enzymes. A person with celiac may want a product that is low in proteases overall. You may want particular enzymes just for yeast control. If you are on a diet that contains high fat, you would probably be better off with a special product with a much higher level of lipase enzymes than most products contain (Lypo from Enzymedica is an example). Some people cannot tolerate fruit-derived enzymes, whereas others specifically want bromelain or papain to help with inflammation. A few have reported taking a a strong protease product to quelch a migraine or cold. Wobenzyme N is all proteases and very popular for immune system support.

Proteases separately – Giving proteases separately has proven to be very beneficial for many people. Since proteases are doing many other types of healing work in body, this provides advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include fighting pathogens, eliminating waste and toxins, immune support, etc. We have noticed that sometimes if there is a negative initial reaction to enzymes, this can be minimized by giving proteases separately and going slower with them, where as this does not seem to be a factor with other enzymes. Many parents have found that being able to dose a strong protease product separately from other enzymes has made enzyme therapy successful for them. They can use a broad spectrum product lower in proteases first for a couple of weeks to promote gut healing gently and then introduce stronger proteases. For those with yeast, die-off may be slower and more tolerable. Someone with a severely injured gut can give proteases slower until gut is sufficiently healed without having to give up benefits of other enzymes. This strategy may actually speed up gut healing as well.

Number of enzymes – You will notice that many very good enzyme products do not have every enzyme known to man in them. Having one of everything is not really necessary with enzymes. It may be helpful for some people depending on their physiology and diet, but many people just need ample supplies of basic ones. Too many different types of proteases may start to cancel each other out. Also, certain combinations of enzymes have synergistic benefits that are not seen if given separately or not in appropriate combination. This is ‘art’ and science of making targeted products.

Part 3. Look closely at amount of activity of enzymes

Your best bet for an all-around digestive enzyme product is Bio88+ (Plus), with highest rate of CFU’s available at time of manufacture of any competing product.

Enzyme strength is measured in terms of activity. Enzymes may be present, but unless they are functional, they will not do any good. While most food, supplement, and drug comparisons use weight (such as milligrams), most important measurement with enzymes is activity and potency of enzyme. A product label should list enzyme strength in standard activity units rather than by weight. To measure activity of digestive enzymes, tests or assays determine quantity of digestion that occurs under specific conditions. This activity depends on concentration, quantity, pH, temperature, and substrate.

When you review labeling on a digestive enzyme package, look for Food Chemical Codex (FCC) units. This labeling certifies that enzymes went through thorough testing for activity and potency. The American food industry accepts these units as set forth by National Academy of Sciences. Some companies promoting enzymes list measurements based on dosage, weights such as milligrams (mg), or a other things. Weight, dosage, and any other units do not give any information on enzyme activity – 220 mg per capsule does not tell anything about enzyme activity. You may have 220 mg of nothing, or 10 percent activity or 90 percent activity. FCC labeling is only national standard for evaluation of activity and potency of enzymes in United States. If product you are interested in only gives weight in milligrams or in units you do not understand, you can call company and ask about specific ingredients and activities.

The higher activity number, quicker food is digested. A lower number will still be digesting food, but it will take longer. Since enzymes do not get used up in process, we do not ‘run out’ of enzymes before all food is digested, BUT stomach and intestines are absorbing food, completely broken down or not, at same time. Since we are ‘on clock,’ with possible unbroken-down peptides (or other food components) being absorbed, we want food to be digested by enzymes before it gets absorbed in a partially broken-down state.

FCC labeling example: If Product # 1 has 15,000 HUT of protease and Product # 2 has 45,000 HUT of protease. Product #2 can break down three times more protein than product # 1 in a given period of time. This is how to compare digestive enzyme activity and formulations.

Disclaimer: These articles in no way should be taken as medical advice on any product or condition, nor do they constitute in any way medical advice endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. They are meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using a greens product as a dietary supplement. If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author bears no responsibility for your decisions nor for outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.

Style of hearing aid. There are many different brands, but there are some common, basic styles. Choose hearing aid that is best suited for your type of hearing loss, listening needs, and personal tastes.

Some of basic types of hearing aids are:

Body aids - A small sound box fits in your shirt pocket. It has a chord that runs up your neck and is attached to a mold or an earpiece.

Behind Ear (BTE) - A small plastic case sits behind your ear with tube that goes to a mold in your ear.

Eyeglass aids - This is like a BTE but parts of hearing aid are built into your eye glass frames. A chord or tube is connected to mold that goes into your ear.

In Ear (ITE) - A small plastic case fits into your outer ear.

In Canal (ITC) - A very small plastic case fits half way into ear canal and can barely be seen in outside ear.

Completely in canal (CIC) - This is a tiny plastic case that fits entirely into canal and is not seen at all.

Cochlear Implants - A group of tiny wires are surgically placed behind your eardrum. They electrically stimulate cochleae or primary hearing organ. The wires are connected to a plastic earpiece. A chord attaches this to a sound box worn on your belt or in a pocket.

You will also want to discuss need for one or two hearing aids. Most people hear best with two hearing aids, which is called binaural. There is less ringing in your ears and less distortion or blurring of sounds. Hearing is also easier in noisy, crowded rooms. You hear in a full circle around you with two hearing aids. With one, you only hear side your aid is on. Unless your hearing professional tells you otherwise, you should use two hearing aids.

What level of technology you will need in your hearing aid will depend on various factors. This decision is made based on your type of hearing loss, listening needs, personal likes and price.

There is a second part to this article that is available on Discount Valley Website. Choosing a Hearing Aid - Part 2.