Having trouble with my enzyme strength

A

AmberFerguson

New member
I am having trouble with my enzymes, I do not know if I should take Zenpep 15 or Zenpep 20. Is the stronger enzyme better? I don't understand the break-down of how enzymes work; for example, there are different strengths 5, 10, 15 and 20 ... how do you know which strength to take for your body? I have talked to my doctor about this and was basically told to figure it out on my own. I have googled "how enzymes work" and feel like I am not any closer to understanding enzymes in depth. For as long as I can remember, growing up I have always wondered about my enzymes. Any advice, information, websites, any help would be so appreciated! Thank you for taking time to read my question. God Bless!

Amber Ferguson
 
A

AmberFerguson

New member
I am having trouble with my enzymes, I do not know if I should take Zenpep 15 or Zenpep 20. Is the stronger enzyme better? I don't understand the break-down of how enzymes work; for example, there are different strengths 5, 10, 15 and 20 ... how do you know which strength to take for your body? I have talked to my doctor about this and was basically told to figure it out on my own. I have googled "how enzymes work" and feel like I am not any closer to understanding enzymes in depth. For as long as I can remember, growing up I have always wondered about my enzymes. Any advice, information, websites, any help would be so appreciated! Thank you for taking time to read my question. God Bless!

Amber Ferguson
 
A

AmberFerguson

New member
I am having trouble with my enzymes, I do not know if I should take Zenpep 15 or Zenpep 20. Is the stronger enzyme better? I don't understand the break-down of how enzymes work; for example, there are different strengths 5, 10, 15 and 20 ... how do you know which strength to take for your body? I have talked to my doctor about this and was basically told to figure it out on my own. I have googled "how enzymes work" and feel like I am not any closer to understanding enzymes in depth. For as long as I can remember, growing up I have always wondered about my enzymes. Any advice, information, websites, any help would be so appreciated! Thank you for taking time to read my question. God Bless!
<br />
<br />Amber Ferguson
 
E

ej0820

New member
hey there!

The enzymes we take with our food contain lipase, amylase and protease. Lipase is the main enzyme that breaks down fat. This is the one we have the least of, causing belly aches, malabsorption, etc. Amylase is the one that is abundant in spit and aids in general breakdown of food. Even though it's mostly in spit, and most of us have no problems with spitting, it's found in the digestive system too and helps break food down further. Protease is an enzyme that breaks down protein. I didn't really think we had a problem digesting proteins, but when you think about it, the pancreas releases protease and we have damaged pancreases. When we take enzymes, we are getting a certain amount of all of these in our pills.

To answer your question about the higher being the better, probably. When the enzymes say 5, 12, 15, 20, etc. they correspond to how much lipase is in the enzyme. Zenpep 20 contains 20,000 USP units of lipase, whereas Zenpep 15 contains 15,000 USP units of lipase, and so on. If you're having belly aches or not tolerating foods the way you should be, I would try increasing the pill amount first (take three pills w/meal instead of two), if that doesn't work, then maybe ask for a stronger enzyme (15 instead of 20). Although, if you're docs aren't really helping you out with your enzyme troubles, I would try to raise a little bit more noise about it.

Good luck, hope this helps.
 
E

ej0820

New member
hey there!

The enzymes we take with our food contain lipase, amylase and protease. Lipase is the main enzyme that breaks down fat. This is the one we have the least of, causing belly aches, malabsorption, etc. Amylase is the one that is abundant in spit and aids in general breakdown of food. Even though it's mostly in spit, and most of us have no problems with spitting, it's found in the digestive system too and helps break food down further. Protease is an enzyme that breaks down protein. I didn't really think we had a problem digesting proteins, but when you think about it, the pancreas releases protease and we have damaged pancreases. When we take enzymes, we are getting a certain amount of all of these in our pills.

To answer your question about the higher being the better, probably. When the enzymes say 5, 12, 15, 20, etc. they correspond to how much lipase is in the enzyme. Zenpep 20 contains 20,000 USP units of lipase, whereas Zenpep 15 contains 15,000 USP units of lipase, and so on. If you're having belly aches or not tolerating foods the way you should be, I would try increasing the pill amount first (take three pills w/meal instead of two), if that doesn't work, then maybe ask for a stronger enzyme (15 instead of 20). Although, if you're docs aren't really helping you out with your enzyme troubles, I would try to raise a little bit more noise about it.

Good luck, hope this helps.
 
E

ej0820

New member
hey there!
<br />
<br />The enzymes we take with our food contain lipase, amylase and protease. Lipase is the main enzyme that breaks down fat. This is the one we have the least of, causing belly aches, malabsorption, etc. Amylase is the one that is abundant in spit and aids in general breakdown of food. Even though it's mostly in spit, and most of us have no problems with spitting, it's found in the digestive system too and helps break food down further. Protease is an enzyme that breaks down protein. I didn't really think we had a problem digesting proteins, but when you think about it, the pancreas releases protease and we have damaged pancreases. When we take enzymes, we are getting a certain amount of all of these in our pills.
<br />
<br />To answer your question about the higher being the better, probably. When the enzymes say 5, 12, 15, 20, etc. they correspond to how much lipase is in the enzyme. Zenpep 20 contains 20,000 USP units of lipase, whereas Zenpep 15 contains 15,000 USP units of lipase, and so on. If you're having belly aches or not tolerating foods the way you should be, I would try increasing the pill amount first (take three pills w/meal instead of two), if that doesn't work, then maybe ask for a stronger enzyme (15 instead of 20). Although, if you're docs aren't really helping you out with your enzyme troubles, I would try to raise a little bit more noise about it.
<br />
<br />Good luck, hope this helps.
 
A

AmberFerguson

New member
Hey Erin, thank you for all that information and taking the time to write me. What you wrote about the enzymes is very helpful and makes total sense. It is nice to hear this coming from another CFer <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I am going to start taking Zenpep 20 and go from there! By the way, I love your quote at the bottom of your name. It's very true, take care and God Bless!
- Amber
 
A

AmberFerguson

New member
Hey Erin, thank you for all that information and taking the time to write me. What you wrote about the enzymes is very helpful and makes total sense. It is nice to hear this coming from another CFer <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I am going to start taking Zenpep 20 and go from there! By the way, I love your quote at the bottom of your name. It's very true, take care and God Bless!
- Amber
 
A

AmberFerguson

New member
Hey Erin, thank you for all that information and taking the time to write me. What you wrote about the enzymes is very helpful and makes total sense. It is nice to hear this coming from another CFer <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I am going to start taking Zenpep 20 and go from there! By the way, I love your quote at the bottom of your name. It's very true, take care and God Bless!
<br />- Amber
 
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