Functional constipation is a result of not following a proper diet, drinking proper fluids, having good emotional health, and not having proper lifestyle that promotes good movement of digested foods through intestines and colon.

Even though there are many conditions, symptoms and definitions describing constipation, constipation simple is,

A condition where fecal matter traveling through your colon remains too long in your colon before traveling out rectum.

Constipation is a symptom that tells you your colon is not working properly or you have some underlying gastrointestinal disease you are not aware of.

Constipation is a warning your diet and lifestyle can be leading to some illness or disease in future. It is a symptom that many people ignore or it is a symptom that many people try to eliminate by using unnatural dangerous laxatives.

When considering an enzyme product, think about WHY you want to use enzymes and what goals you would like to achieve. The following products have been found beneficial by those with various conditions under real life practical use as reported by families. This is not a complete list. Most every supplement vendor sells some type of enzyme product. See my article on How to Read an Enzyme Label for additional information. Listing and/or linking below is not in any way an indoresement by author. See disclaimer

If you are wanting to leave a casein-free, gluten-free (soy-free) diet:

1. Peptizyde by Houston Nutraceuticals - found to be effective enough for this purpose for many people. First product successfully used instead of casein-free, gluten-free diet. www.houstonni.com 2. AFP Peptizyde by Houston – protease product effective for casein and gluten control but does not contain any fruit-derived enzymes

If you are wanting to stay on a casein-free, gluten-free diet (soy- free) and supplement with enzymes:

1. Peptizyde by Houston Nutraceuticals 2. AFP Peptizyde by Houston – does not contain fruit-derived enzymes for those sensitive to phenols or not wanting "distinctive" taste and smell of papain 3. SerenAid by Klaire Labs www.klaire.com 4. other 'strong' protease products may also help here

If you want a broad-spectrum all-purpose product for all foods OTHER THAN casein and gluten (although some may help a little with casein and gluten too):

1. Zyme Prime by Houston Nutraceuticals– contains rice bran 2. Vital Zyme Forte by Klaire Labs – contains beet root powder, in gelatin capsules 3. Carbo by Enzymedica – does not contain any fillers, contains less protease than Digest; does not contain fruit-derived enzymes helpful for those with phenol sensitivities 4. Digest by Enzymedica – does not contain any fillers, contains probiotics; does not contain fruit-derived enzymes helpful for those with phenol sensitivities 5. Digest Gold by Enzymedica– does not contain any fillers, approximately 3 times stronger than Digest; does not contain fruit-derived enzymes helpful for those with phenol sensitivities http://www.enzymedica.com/first.html 6 . Ultra-zyme Plus by Thropps Nutrition - no fillers, includes ionic minerals 7 . Most every supplement vendor offers some type of broad-spectrum enzyme product. Some are not very strong, others (such as these listed) have good activity levels or 'strength.'

If you want to control yeast or bacteria:

1. No-Fenol by Houston _ contains cellulase plus xylanase 2. Candidase by Enzymedica – contains cellulase and proteases 3. Candex by Pure Essence – company just reformulated this product. The older version contained cellulase plus probiotics, newer version is an assortment of just enzymes. 4. Complete Candida Complex 5. Complete Candida Kit

Notes: No-Fenol has been seen to be very effective on yeast, not much first_hand experience is available for other products, but they are available. For yeast control, give these products in between meals, either one hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. Yeast control with cellulase products is more effective if there proteases are given along with it. If you take these product with meals they will help with yeast a little and also break down much of more fibrous foods eaten (complex carbs, fruits, and vegetables). Work great together with some sort of yeast killer or antifungal. These enzymes may also helpful with Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

If you want a strong protease to assist with yeast and bacteria control, immune system support, gut healing, and other uses:

1. Peptizyde by Houston – contains only proteases 2. Purify by Enzymedica – contains proteases and calcium citrate 3. Repair by Enzymedica – contains proteases, amylase, and lipase